Job Discussion Forums

[Lindsay]

i was thinking of shipping my scooter back home to canada when i leave in april. anybody have any idea on how much shipping it to canada would cost?

oh yeah, and does anybody know how much notice i have to give au and Jcom to cancel?

[JimDunlop2]

Not a STUPID idea as such... Just a damn near impossible one is all.

Never mind shipping costs, you can get companies like this http://www.iecjp.com/index.html just about anywhere, as well as companies that specialize in shipping vehicles. What you will REALLY have issues with is the Canadian government. Please read THIS:

http://www.riv.ca/

a.k.a. Registrar of Imported Vehicles.

If you can't be bothered to read the info at the above link, here is a quck summary.

In order to get a vehicle registration/license plate for your scooter (in your home province) you will be required to provide: - a statement from the manufacturer stating that there are no active recall notices on that particular vehicle, a federal inspection (usually can be done at any Canadian Tire -- if it's a car -- scooters I dunno) ., a valid 17-digit VIN number, Before you ship, you must check to make sure the vehicle is listed as "admissible" on Transport Canada's vehicle import list.

Then, you may have to pay customs/duty on it. Individual provinces/territories may have additional emission/safety inspections requirements too. Also, if your scooter has an on/off switch for the lights, you will have to get it modified so that the lights are all "on" whenever the engine is running.

You must also advise Customs that you are importing a scooter and they will likely ask you for all original documents such as a bill of sale. You will then have to fill out a vehicle import form and pay a $182 ($197 in Quebec) import fee (non-refundable). You may also have to pay GST on the scooter's sale price.

Fun stuff, huh? I knew a kiwi who had shipped her CAR back to NZ... The only thing she had to say about it was: NEVER AGAIN!

I too am addicited to my scooter, and I weep bitter tears at the prospect of giving it up, but I figure that when I leave Japan, I will either buy a scooter at my new location (unlikely) or a motorcycle at my new location (a lot MORE likely)...

If you want to ride/buy/use a scooter in Canada, check out this website. It's EXCELLENT!

http://www3.telus.net/dougsimpson/Canada.html

Then, check out a local BUY/SELL newspaper under the motorcycle/scooter heading. I think you will find that prices are similar.

For example, I was just HERE: http://www.buysell.com and here is one of the ads I found: 2000 HONDA DIO SCOOTER, 3500 km $1300 obo.
That's actually REALLY not so bad. I think you will find a similar price in Japan. At the going rate of 85Y/$1CDN that's about 110,000 yen.... WITHOUT all the hassle involved in shipping/converting/making street-legal your scooter.

My advice to you: sell your scooter in Japan -- get as much as you can... Use the $$ towards buying one in Canada.

In conclusion.... So no one can accuse me of not having answered the original question...

Q- How much would it cost to ship a scooter back to Canada?

A- TOO MUCH!

Good luck!

JD

P.S. Re. your keitai -- I don't think they need notice at all.... Just go in and say you want to disconnect effective immediately. At least that's what all my friends have done in the past.

[Lindsay]

thanks for all the info. sounds like a hassle. i have a 2000 honda dio and i bought it for 20 000 yen! so you can imagine why i would be prepared to pay shipping costs. but sounds like a headache. i will be living in winnipeg so it might not be worth the hassle considering i only have 5 good months of scooter driving weather!

[JimDunlop2]

Hmm.. You got a great deal on it... But given that, all the better for you. You'll likely be able to get a solid price for it when you go and get one in Canada.

Unfortunately, I don't have to tell someone from Winterpeg about seasonal activities. Whether you bring a scooter home or buy when when you get home, be prepared to "winterize" it when it's not being used... The link I provided should give you some advice on that too (if I remember correctly).

The hassle is pretty bad, but I think it'll really be the shipping cost that'll kill ya. Plus, the scooter would arrive at a sea port -- the nearest one likely being in Vancouver... Which means you either ahve to meet it there, or get someone (or a company) to do the paperwork/import procedures for you. Which means more money...

[Lindsay]

yes, i guess i will sell it, and hopefully make some money off of it! only 1200 km's on it, runs well, black in colour.....