Importing Guns and Motorcycles

[BriCar 0]

Just a note from my experience,

When I immigrated 20 years ago I was told guns were not really household goods ( I had a 7mm mag hunting rifle) and I could bring it to the US alright however it required special paperwork/permits from ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms). Something that had to be processed well ahead of showing up at the border POE.

Another issue was my Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle which it turns out was never built to USA EPA standards so no way it could be registered in California. I could import it but it could only be used off road.

Apparently the Japanese build bikes for Canada different (faster) than the one for the US.

So I ended up selling both the gun and bike in Canada before I left

My girl is bringing her Harley with her in a few months that should be ok...

What could be more American than that!

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Just a note from my experience,

When I immigrated 20 years ago I was told guns were not really household goods ( I had a 7mm mag hunting rifle) and I could bring it to the US alright however it required special paperwork/permits from ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms). Something that had to be processed well ahead of showing up at the border POE.

Another issue was my Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle which it turns out was never built to USA EPA standards so no way it could be registered in California. I could import it but it could only be used off road.

Apparently the Japanese build bikes for Canada different (faster) than the one for the US.

So I ended up selling both the gun and bike in Canada before I left

My girl is bringing her Harley with her in a few months that should be ok...

What could be more American than that!

I couldn't tell you about the motorcycle. The guns require an import permit which is not particularly difficult, but YES requires some presence of forethought. Being a gun enthusiast and traveling throughout Canada and most of Europe for my work I certainly did not pass up on some outstanding values in really well made guns, particularly Czech double barrel shotguns that rival English "Best Grade" at about 1/10th the price or less. I had a friend handle the paperwork here (he had an import license) send me the papers and then I sent him the guns by DHL. You can find people that have import licenses and do this for a reasonable fee. You are essentially "selling" the gun to the importer/dealer who then "re-sells" it to you after you come back. I would call him up, say..."I did it again..." and give hima description and details of the gun. He would send me the paperwork and I would send him the gun. I had the dealer in the country where I bought it hold the gun and he sent the papers to the dealer, I never actually took possession of the gun until I returned.

[Mae and Jack 0]

Another issue was my Kawasaki Ninja motorcycle which it turns out was never built to USA EPA standards so no way it could be registered in California. I could import it but it could only be used off road.

Apparently the Japanese build bikes for Canada different (faster) than the one for the US.

So I ended up selling both the gun and bike in Canada before I left

My girl is bringing her Harley with her in a few months that should be ok...

What could be more American than that!

Just about all car and motorcycle build different exhaust systems for California vehicles. California emmision standards are different than the rest of America. So your Harley might not meet their standards.

[Krikit 1,165]

Moving from K-1 Process to Moving to America forum.

[baron555 934]

in California.

What could be more American than that!

Kalifornia is not America.

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

Nothing to add but the title of this thread must be in the running for "Most Awesome Title Ever in the Moving Here and Your New Life in America" forum for sure.