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CThomas
Joined: 21 Oct 2009
Posts: 380
Location: HCMC, Vietnam
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 Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2011 2:15 am Post subject: Shipping motorbikes to the US? |
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I can't find any solid info on this. I'd like to try to ship some bikes to the US.
I know getting bikes IN is a pain, if not impossible, but what about getting them OUT?
Also, what about on the US end? Documents and duties?
Any experiences or links would be grand.... |
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LettersAthruZ
Joined: 25 Apr 2010
Posts: 466
Location: North Viet Nam
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| Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2011 6:38 am Post subject: Re: Shipping motorbikes to the US? |
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| CThomas wrote: |
I can't find any solid info on this. I'd like to try to ship some bikes to the US.
I know getting bikes IN is a pain, if not impossible, but what about getting them OUT?
Also, what about on the US end? Documents and duties?
Any experiences or links would be grand.... |
Did you purchase it new or used?
My GUESS would be that the first basic thing is that YOUR NAME MUST BE ON THE TITLE ("Blue Card") for the bike. THEN I'd probably get it officially and legally translated and then take them both to the US Embassy/Consulate (depending if your closer to HCMC or Ha Noi) and get that entire lot of paperwork notarised.
After that, I'd contact United States Customs (which USED to be under The Department of the Treasury....but I *THINK* now it's under Homeland Security) and ask for a precise list of documents required for importation and the required manner of determining assessed valuation of the bike for the purposes of import duty. THEN you MIGHT (NOT sure) have to deal with ensuring that the scooter meets BOTH, Federal and State emissions and safety standards!
E-Mail your State's DMV as well to get THEIR requirements for registering the thing!
MY guess? Between shipping costs on a container ship, importation duties, safety and emissions adjustments, registration and title fees, notariation and translation costs........that your brand new 40 Million VND Nuevo is prolly gonna set you back 80 to 100 Million VND by trying to get it into The States..... |
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CThomas
Joined: 21 Oct 2009
Posts: 380
Location: HCMC, Vietnam
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| Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2011 7:27 am Post subject: Re: Shipping motorbikes to the US? |
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| Did you purchase it new or used? |
Used. I've purchased new before via family, though, and the bikes are in my name now (see below).
| Quote: |
My GUESS would be that the first basic thing is that YOUR NAME MUST BE ON THE TITLE ("Blue Card") for the bike. |
That's tough. I don't even know how that's possible. I can get paperwork linked to the blue card that basically says it's mine. I hear you, but would have to solve that if the requirements call for that. The thing is that I don't think that is really even done here: from what I know, only the original owner's name is ever on the blue card. ??? I'll see a. if that's the case, and b. if there's a form DHSabc123.456 that lets it through if so.
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THEN I'd probably get it officially and legally translated and then take them both to the US Embassy/Consulate (depending if your closer to HCMC or Ha Noi) and get that entire lot of paperwork notarised. |
Ok, $50 a pop at the consulate. I'm curious if the consulate (HCMC) is necessary here but will definitely look into it. Officially stamped translation is like $10/page? Or is there a better way?
| Quote: |
| After that, I'd contact United States Customs (which USED to be under The Department of the Treasury....but I *THINK* now it's under Homeland Security) and ask for a precise list of documents required for importation and the required manner of determining assessed valuation of the bike for the purposes of import duty. THEN you MIGHT (NOT sure) have to deal with ensuring that the scooter meets BOTH, Federal and State emissions and safety standards! |
Falls under "classic" designation (<25 years), I think, I hope, which side-steps a lot of regs. Valuation on these should be pretty low; the % is the key here. Gotta find that out.
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E-Mail your State's DMV as well to get THEIR requirements for registering the thing!
MY guess? Between shipping costs on a container ship, importation duties, safety and emissions adjustments, registration and title fees, notariation and translation costs........that your brand new 40 Million VND Nuevo is prolly gonna set you back 80 to 100 Million VND by trying to get it into The States..... |
So, 200-300% per bike? I think I may be able to get past emissions (as they'll be considered "classics". And, hopefully, I can whittle that % a BUNCH by doing this en masse for multiple bikes. If I could get it down to even 40% I'd be a happy camper.
That blue card thing is the biggest flag you mentioned that I can see now. Not a deal breaker, but perhaps another big loop of paperwork that will influence viability.
Much appreciated, JB. Good thoughts, for sure. |
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Beautiful Loser
Joined: 29 May 2011
Posts: 80
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CThomas
Joined: 21 Oct 2009
Posts: 380
Location: HCMC, Vietnam
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| Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2011 12:28 pm Post subject: |
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| Beautiful Loser wrote: |
| http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/faq%20site/pages/page3.html#Anchor-20795 |
Bookmarked, thanks much. I see this:
*Under 49 U.S.C. � 30112(a), a person may not permanently import into the United States a motor vehicle manufactured after the date that an applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standard (FMVSS) takes effect unless the vehicle complies with the standard and is so certified by its original manufacturer. This prohibition applies to both new and used motor vehicles, but does not apply to motor vehicles that are at least 25 years old (based on the date that the vehicle was manufactured).
Emphasis mine. It looks like the bikes are importable, based on age.
Ownership and titles, then, are the problem. The original buyer's name follows the blue card for the bike's life in Vietnam, if I understand correctly. If the "secondary owner" thing -- the official paper that says you own the bike (which I have) -- flies, then I'm gold. But if I need my name on the blue card, then it is another issue. Let me explain:
I carry my bike's blue card in my wallet here. But it doesn't have my name on it. I do have another stamped paper saying that, essentially, I own the blue card. I, with this paper, can transfer ownership here in Vietnam. In other words, I can buy and sell here, no problem. But I don't know what it all means once I take it off the boat and do the title in the US.
If the US takes only the name on the blue card, then either a. I have to get my name (or anybody else's name, for that matter) on the blue card or b. find some way around it, like become an agent for that name on the blue card. Option A looks nigh impossible, but B is perhaps in the realm of practicality.
It doesn't seem impossible, within the strictures of reasonable percentages, yet! Thanks much, beautiful loser, whoever you are 
* http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/elig092210.pdf |
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Jbhughes
Joined: 01 Jul 2010
Posts: 254
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| Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2011 1:07 pm Post subject: |
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Definitely an interesting topic.
I was under the impression that it is possible to change the name (or address) on the blue card, but everyone just doesn't bother because you have to pay some kind of tax again. I think it's just the norm for people to swap cash for keys, wheels and card.
You could contact a company like expat.vn to see if they can arrange it all for you (for a fee of course.) From your other posts, you sound like you would like to get it done all yourself though
This website shows a question from someone wanting to change their sister's bike into their name and the reply is quite comprehensive (even visa google translate):
- http://www.vatgia.com/hoidap/4485/109224/thu-tuc-sang-ten-doi-chu-xe-may.html
It doesn't seem to give a definitive answer as to whether or not the actual Motorbike Registration Certificate can be changed (and it's just some answer on a website on the internet of course.)
It seems important where the bike was registered (your province/city or a different one) and a bonus seems to be if the bike is already registered in your spouses name.
One thing you could try is to go down to your local registration office and take a look at what information is written up on the walls. I swear in mine there was information pertaining to changing the name, but it's nearly a year ago and the rules could well be different in every different office anyway.
Good luck! |
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LettersAthruZ
Joined: 25 Apr 2010
Posts: 466
Location: North Viet Nam
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| Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2011 6:54 pm Post subject: |
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Excellent points, C.......
AHHHHHHH! A classic - absolutely correct - you SHOULD (ideally) be able to sidestep a lot of regs, both Federal and State!
Asked a couple people up here about the mysterious blue card name......best that I can get is that IF...IF....IF you find thee person whose name is listed on the blue card (which I have dead zero hope for myself), then they can (meebee with a little persuasion) write a legal contract SELLING the bike to you....then it's off to deal with the Vietnamese Government bureaucracy of getting a NEW blue card with YOUR name on it....which can take between one week and a few years......depending....... 
My interpretation is that once you get YOUR name on that blue card.....you are almost pretty much set...... |
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CThomas
Joined: 21 Oct 2009
Posts: 380
Location: HCMC, Vietnam
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| Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2011 11:10 pm Post subject: |
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| LettersAthruZ wrote: |
Excellent points, C.......
AHHHHHHH! A classic - absolutely correct - you SHOULD (ideally) be able to sidestep a lot of regs, both Federal and State!
Asked a couple people up here about the mysterious blue card name......best that I can get is that IF...IF....IF you find thee person whose name is listed on the blue card (which I have dead zero hope for myself), then they can (meebee with a little persuasion) write a legal contract SELLING the bike to you....then it's off to deal with the Vietnamese Government bureaucracy of getting a NEW blue card with YOUR name on it....which can take between one week and a few years......depending.......
My interpretation is that once you get YOUR name on that blue card.....you are almost pretty much set...... |
Hmmm... Well, I already have that paper; I might try to get the blue card on my current bike (which wouldn't even be one of these I'm talking about ) just to see if it's possible. |
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CThomas
Joined: 21 Oct 2009
Posts: 380
Location: HCMC, Vietnam
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| Posted: Sat Aug 27, 2011 11:14 pm Post subject: |
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| Jbhughes wrote: |
From your other posts, you sound like you would like to get it done all yourself though
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Yea, I've found that once you figure out how to do the paperwork/run-around it gets real cheap real quickly sometimes. Plus, I might want to do this with multiple bikes, so it makes even more sense to do so. |
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CThomas
Joined: 21 Oct 2009
Posts: 380
Location: HCMC, Vietnam
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| Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 12:43 am Post subject: |
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Update: I think I've gotten the US side figured out more: multiple layers of agencies and paperwork. I will need that title or an official copy of it, officially translated, of course. I don't know if it has to actually be in my name, though. Duties are under 3% or even free on motorbikes. I'm curious if I could get, or become, a bona-fide vehicle importer/dealer in the US in order to sort of "blanket re-title" multiple bikes, given that I can produce some record that says that "they're hearby not stolen."
So, a few unanswered questions, but making progress on that end.
On the Vietnam side, I'm still clueless. Any ideas that don't involve paying big fees for doing what I could do myself? I mean, links to government docs (I know, I know... that's asking a lot for here in Vietnam!) I'm also looking into getting an import/export business license for Vietnam, for me and/or my wife. Has anyone else here done that? I know one guy who pretty much bought one for $800 and registered under a friend's company's name, but, like I said, sometimes there are other cheaper, albeit more time consuming, ways. |
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CThomas
Joined: 21 Oct 2009
Posts: 380
Location: HCMC, Vietnam
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| Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 6:06 am Post subject: The Blue Card |
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fyi, for those following this: A foreigner can't get a blue card. A Vietnamese can, meaning a new one in a new name and only in his/her permanent province. Alas -- and here is where the fun starts -- it is possible that a business can get the blue card -- say one owned by one's wifey.
The US wants a translated certificate of ownership before they'll accept a bike. I'm trying to figure out just who's name needs to be on it* and if by that they mean the blue card or, hopefully, the stamped paper that is pretty-easily gettable.
*This may be variable, depending on whether a dealer or individual is doing this.
Again, any info., stories, leads, or positive opinions are warmly welcomed. |
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CThomas
Joined: 21 Oct 2009
Posts: 380
Location: HCMC, Vietnam
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Jbhughes
Joined: 01 Jul 2010
Posts: 254
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| Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 7:03 am Post subject: Re: The Blue Card |
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| CThomas wrote: |
| fyi, for those following this: A foreigner can't get a blue card. A Vietnamese can, meaning a new one in a new name and only in his/her permanent province. |
Just a little clarification on this. I'm pretty sure you mean the case where the bike has already been registered in someone else's name - a second hand bike (as what you're looking for, obviously).
Just want to point out that in the case where a foreigner is buying a new bike (and it hasn't been registered in someone else's name previously), the foreigner can get the card in their name.
I realise this may be obvious to anyone reading, I just thought that making the distinction could be important to someone out there reading.
Good luck with your quest CThomas! |
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CThomas
Joined: 21 Oct 2009
Posts: 380
Location: HCMC, Vietnam
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| Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 7:37 am Post subject: Re: The Blue Card |
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| Jbhughes wrote: |
Just want to point out that in the case where a foreigner is buying a new bike (and it hasn't been registered in someone else's name previously), the foreigner can get the card in their name.
Good luck with your quest CThomas! |
I've bought 2 brand spankin' new motorbikes and couldn't do this, after asking police and bike dealers. Let's put this one out there for confirmation.
Thanks much. I'll post when I succeed. |
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Jbhughes
Joined: 01 Jul 2010
Posts: 254
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