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Is Importing to USA Really Impossible?

Bobbo Snap

New member
Joined
Jan 21, 2023
Messages
3
Hi All,

I'm considering buying a new Trail 125 but I like the brown color that isn't available in the States. So I've been looking into importing one from overseas. I have zero knowledge or experience in doing this but I thought surely it must be possible.

Well, Googling for the last half hour hasn't helped, seems like it is pretty difficult. I came across the NHTSA's regulations and wondered if anyone else has any knowledge around importing a new bike given Big Brother's rules. Considering the following:
  • I don't need it to be road legal (I have other bikes for that).
  • I'd prefer it to be legal for trail riding but I'm still interested if it's not legal to ride at all.
  • I'm not concerned with paying import and shipping fees.
  • I want it OEM so painting or wraps are not an option.
Any input from you all is appreciated. Im in Florida if there're any contacts down here you can recommend.

Thanks, BS
 

dmonkey

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 4, 2021
Messages
2,136
Location
🇺🇸
I've only imported vehicles that meet the 21/25+ years old exemptions. For anything that isn't that old and is a "non-U.S. version vehicle", it ends up getting difficult. The vehicle must be certified as complying with EPA and DOT requirements to clear customs. The CT125 is not going to qualify for any of the exemptions that can be used by an individual, so you will need to have an Independent Commercial Importer (ICI) import the vehicle, modify it to meet USA requirements, test it, and certify it as compliant. You can find a list of ICIs on the EPA website, contacting one of them would be a good place to start. That is pretty much your only option for legal import, and that is just to get it past customs.

A route with less red tape and likely lower cost, would be to buy a USA CT125 and then import the OEM brown parts and swap them out. Some discussion on that here:

Good luck and please keep us posted should you decide to take either route!
 
Last edited:

Bobbo Snap

New member
Joined
Jan 21, 2023
Messages
3
I've only imported vehicles that meet the 21/25+ years old exemptions. For anything that isn't that old and is a "non-U.S. version vehicle", it ends up getting difficult. The vehicle must be certified as complying with EPA and DOT requirements to clear customs. The CT125 is not going to qualify for any of the exemptions that can be used by an individual, so you will need to have an Independent Commercial Importer (ICI) import the vehicle, modify it to meet USA requirements, test it, and certify it as compliant. You can find a list of ICIs on the EPA website, contacting one of them would be a good place to start. That is pretty much your only option for legal import, and that is just to get it past customs.

A route with less red tape and likely lower cost, would be to buy a USA CT125 and then import the OEM brown parts and swap them out. Some discussion on that here:

Good luck and please keep us posted should you decide to take either route!
Great info in that post. Thanks!
 
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