Here is a summary of the steps involved in bringing my Helix into Canada in 2001. I brought mine across the border in a trailer after having it shipped to Seattle.

Step 1: Cover this Information taken directly from the registry of Imported Vehicles at: www.riv.ca

What to do
    before you import

• Make sure your vehicle is admissible and can be modified to meet Canadian requirements by checking Transport Canada's List of Vehicles Admissible from the United States .  This program covers passenger cars including vans and jeeps, chassis cabs, trailers, motorcycles and snowmobiles less than 15 years old; off-road vehicles manufactured after May 1, 1988 and buses made after January 1, 1971. 
• Check the list on this web site for typical modification requirements, or you can call us at 1-888-848-8240. 
• Contact the manufacturer or dealer of your vehicle to obtain a recall clearance letter and information on modifications costs.  You must have this document to pass the federal inspection. 
• Ask your mechanic or Canadian Tire outlet for an estimate on the cost of the modifications. 
• Determine additional costs, such as duty and taxes.  Canada Border Services Agency, responsible for assessing and collecting duties and taxes, can be reached at 1-800-461-9999 (in Canada) or 1-506-636-5064 or 1-204-983-3500 (outside Canada). 
• Make sure you have the required documentation: title documents, registration, sales receipts, statement of compliance label and manufacturer's recall clearance letter. 
• Find out about any additional provincial or territorial requirements, such as safety inspections and emissions tests. 
• Arrange for insurance on your vehicle. 
• Inform U.S. Customs about the permanent export of a vehicle at least 72 hours before arriving at the border. 
• Call RIV to have your Vehicle Identification Number checked.

Step 2:  Get that "Clearance Recall Letter" - a fax will do.  for Honda, call them in the US at 310-532-9811 - have your VIN # and a fax # available.

Step 3:  Contact the US Customs crossing that you will be bringing the bike through.  If you need to find a phone number for a Port of Entry - go here: http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/location/ports/

They may ask for you to send them the original bill of sale (+copies) 72 hours in advance - but don't offer them this option. Whatever you do, just find out exactly how they want you to do to be prepared when you are taking the bike out of the country. Be VERY nice on the phone - if they know you are coming and were a jerk on the phone ......  they can nix the whole deal. 

Always use the word SCOOTER.  They seem to pay much less attention to that than to a motorcycle.

Step 4:  Go to US customs when crossing the border. If all goes well, you will be done with them in about 5 mins. (they will put an export stamp on the Bill of Sale) If at any time they ask if the bike has any liens on it - answer NO even if you didn't check.  Answering 'I don't know' will probably stop you.

Step 5: Go to the Canada customs (CCRA) side. LOOK ORGANIZED.  It makes a big difference.  Use the information on this page as a checklist. Have every part of it covered.  My guy was stunned that I actually knew what I was doing, and saved him the grief.  It really helped keep him happy.  And remember: Always use the word SCOOTER.

What to do
   at the border

• Produce your title documents, registration and sales receipts. 
• Complete Vehicle Import Form – Form 1 to register your vehicle, which Canada Customs will provide.  This requires a Canadian mailing address.  This form must be kept in the vehicle until it is licensed. 
• Have your vehicle checked against Transport Canada's List of Vehicles Admissible from the United States  and for an accurate Manufacturer's Statement of Compliance Label and VIN, if it hasn't already been checked. 
• Canada Customs will collect your nonrefundable Registrar of Imported Vehicles' fee of $182 in all provinces except Quebec where it is $197. 
• Major credit cards are acceptable, as are money orders and cheques.  However, cheques can take 10 days to clear, which will eat into your 45-day inspection time frame. 
• Remember that payment of fees and receipt of the Vehicle Import Form – Form 1 does not warrant that your vehicle is capable of being brought into conformity with all applicable federal and provincial or territorial laws.

Both of these are one-time fees.

Step 7: 

What to do
   after the vehicle enters Canada

• Within 10 days, you'll receive a letter from RIV with your inspection document (Form 2) which details what must be done to bring your vehicle into compliance. 
• It is your responsibility to complete the necessary modifications within 45 days.  You may have the modifications done by the mechanic or garage of your choice.  However, we recommend that you contact the Original Equipment Manufacturer to discuss appropriate parts or warranty issues.  Make sure you keep receipts for parts and labour, to present at the inspection, along with Form 1, Form 2 and the recall clearance letter. 
• The RIV has contracted with Canadian Tire, with 430 locations across Canada, to perform our federal inspections.  In many cases, Canadian Tire can perform certain modification work, as well as performing the provincial inspection. 
• When you pass the inspection, the inspection centre will stamp your Form 1, that you will have to present to the provincial or territorial licensing authority, which may require additional testing. 
• Within approximately one week of passing the federal inspection, we will send you a new Canadian Certification label with instructions on where to affix it to your vehicle. 
• If the vehicle fails the inspection, you'll have to pay additional charges for another inspection.  If the vehicle cannot pass the inspection within the 45 days, it will have to be exported back to the United States. 
• If you are having trouble meeting the 45-day deadline or other questions, we may be able to help.  So call us at 1-888-848-8240.

Murray
Calgary, Ab