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Importing an RG500
I bought my bike from a Canadian-American fellow (dual citizenship) who had brought the Gamma into the US as his personal vehicle. He registered it here, and eventually sold it to me when he moved on to other things. So, I definitely did it the easy way.
Your best bet, of course, is to buy a bike that is already in the US and titled/ registered.
I called customs myself, back in the 80s, and was told that under no circumstances would they allow me to bring an RG500 down from Canada with the intent to register it as a street vehicle. There used to be a clause that allowed you to import two non-EPA vehicles (in your lifetime, I believe), however it is my understanding that this policy is no longer in effect.
The good news is that now the Gamma is so old, I think you can legally bring it in again.
Read this, from EPA certification form_3520-1
LOOKS TO ME LIKE YOU CAN IMPORT A STOCK GAMMA! We have reached the magic 21.
download EPA certification form_3520-1.pdf
Once the bike is in the US, you need to get it registered. Easiest and legal system is to use
International Title Service http://www.its-titles.com/
You may also be able to register it as a kit vehicle EPA regulations on kit bikes.rtf
Why not just sneak it across the border? Check it out- from a few posts I read-
“I took a bike over the border from Canada to the US (BC to Idaho) some years ago, The border asked me if I was selling it ,said no and had it shipped from Spokane to Missouri, They caught me coming back to Canada (canada Customs) and searched my van,found the shipping papers, held me for 2 hours/stripped/2 way mirror.The works..Told the US what I had done and 3 weeks later I got a letter off the US Atorney General’s office informing me I had broken 3 laws and remove the bike from the US and pay $35,000 fine. Well I shit myself, I was just doing the guy a favor..I grovelled, crawled, and begged mercy; after all I might be barred forever from the US. To cut it short they let me go with $1500 fine, So Beware, After 9/11 its probably worse
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A distant family member born in Canada (parents Greek) did the same with a car (or more ??) a few years back and he caught by Canadian customs.
Now he lives in Mexico and can’t even fly to US/Canada. His sister gave birth to her first child and she had to take the new born to Mexico to meet Uncle John.
He came to Greece last summer with some South American Airlines by changing three to four flights.
I don’t know more details and I don’t know if one or more cars were involved in the business or the state of these car(s), but it sound scary.
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Crossing the border