Importation Education

May, 2022 - Let me begin by saying that importing a motorcycle requires a lot of patience. We had to get some help from The Shipping Guy in dealing with freight shipping carriers, US Customs, EPA, DOT, DMV, and WI-DOT, making for an alphabet soup of agencies and forms.

Then there is the waiting. After purchasing the Moto Guzzi at the end of February, 2022 we had to wait THREE WHOLE MONTHS for the crate to arrive at US Customs in Chicago. Then there was a long wait after a long drive to Chicago. That day ended with a mixup in paperwork and we had to make the long drive back without the motorcycle.

Waiting at the rail yard in Chicago for US Customs clearance.

A day later, on May 27th, I received a phone call that not only was the bike released from US Customs, but I had just until the END OF THE DAY to pickup the motorcycle in Chicago or the crate would be impounded because it could only be there for a total of 7 days and today was the 7th day! Julie & I left immediately and drove straight to the Chicago Rail Yard to pick up the crated motorcycle.

We arrived mid-afternoon and a nice dock worker brought the crate outside and set it on my trailer. I immediately removed part of the lid of the crate to get a “first peak” at the contents of the crate to make sure it contained a vintage Moto Guzzi motorcycle! No time to play though, had to seal it back up and head back to Wisconsin.

First peak at the contents of the crate from Verona, Italy.

Julie & I stopped at Hi-Way Harry’s supper club in Johnson Creek on the way home for a little Friday happy hour celebration.