At Autoshippers we are more than car shipping experts, we also ship more than our fair share of motorbikes, and consider the crating and shipping of vehicles of the 2 wheeled-variety somewhat of a speciality of ours. With this in mind, Darryl contacted us from Canada with the intention of us shipping a Ducati 996S which he had purchased from a seller in the UK. “No problem” we said and, as it turned out, we were right!
Ducati – A Brief History
Ducati is a renowned Italian motorcycle manufacturer dating back to 1926 when it was founded by Antonio Cavalieri Ducati and his three sons, Adriano, Marcello, and Bruno, as the “Società Scientifica Radio Brevetti Ducati.” Initially, the company was involved in the production of vacuum tubes, electronic components, and radio equipment. During World War II, Ducati shifted its focus to military contracts, manufacturing communication devices and generators for the Italian army.
The post-war period marked a significant turning point for Ducati as it began producing its first motorcycles in the late 1940s. The Cucciolo, introduced in 1946, was a small engine that could be attached to a bicycle, providing affordable and efficient transportation for the war-torn nation. This successful venture into motorcycling led to the development of Ducati’s own motorcycle models, including the iconic Ducati 125 Sport in 1955. Over the years, Ducati became known for its high-performance and racing-oriented motorcycles, achieving numerous victories in various motorcycle racing championships, particularly in MotoGP and World Superbike.
In 1985, Ducati was acquired by the Cagiva Group, which injected capital and resources into the company, enabling it to further refine its motorcycle designs and expand its product lineup. The 1990s saw Ducati’s rise to prominence in the world of superbike racing, with legendary riders like Carl Fogarty and Troy Bayliss bringing home multiple championships aboard Ducati motorcycles. In 2012, Ducati was purchased by the Volkswagen Group, which continued to invest in the brand’s technology and innovation. Today, Ducati stands as one of the most respected names in the motorcycle industry, known for its distinctive Italian style, cutting-edge technology, and a rich racing heritage.
The Ducati 996S Sport Bike
The Ducati 996S, introduced in 2000, is a legendary sport bike that carries on the tradition of high-performance motorcycles from the Italian manufacturer. This model is a direct descendant of the iconic Ducati 916, which revolutionized the world of sport motorcycles in the 1990s. The 996S maintains the signature Ducati styling with its distinctive single-sided swingarm, under-seat exhausts, and aggressive lines that made it an instant classic.
At the heart of the Ducati 996S is its 996cc, liquid-cooled, 90-degree V-twin engine, known for its strong torque delivery and distinctive Ducati L-twin sound. This powerplant produces approximately 112 horsepower, which provides exhilarating acceleration. The engine is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission, allowing riders to make the most of the engine’s power. The 996S features a trellis frame and fully adjustable Showa suspension components, ensuring precise handling and excellent road feedback. Brembo brakes provide exceptional stopping power, and the bike rolls on lightweight Marchesini wheels, further enhancing its performance credentials.
One of the notable features of the Ducati 996S is its race-inspired technology, including the use of a dry clutch, which not only reduces oil contamination but also adds to the bike’s distinctive mechanical soundtrack. The 996S also features Ducati’s iconic Desmodromic valve system, known for its precise valve control and high-revving capabilities. With a top speed of around 160 mph (260 km/h) and a 0 to 60 mph time of approximately 3.6 seconds, the Ducati 996S is a true thoroughbred that’s equally at home on the track as it is on twisty mountain roads. This model holds a special place in the hearts of Ducati enthusiasts and remains a sought-after classic in the world of sport motorcycles. Perfect for use on Canadian roads!
Shipping a Ducati 996S from the UK to Canada via LCL
Quoting and Crating a Ducati 996S Motorbike for Shipping to Canada via LCL
Darryl made contact with Autoshippers initially by completing our quotation form which is found on our website. A simple Google search, using the keywords “Motorbike Shipping” tends to place Autoshippers in top spot, so he did not have to look too hard to find the best company to enlist in shipping his newly acquired sport bike to Canada.
We quoted based on us crating the bike in its own bespoke, made to measure, wooden crate, suitable for shipping overseas from the UK to Canada and meeting ISPM15 international standards. Without meeting these standards, the crate would be turned away on arrival in Canada and returned, at the cost of the shipper.
Although Autoshippers offer a specialist, UK wide, motorbike collection service, the seller chose to deliver this bike to our packing warehouse themselves on this occasion. Either way a full condition report is undertaken on arrival at the premises, for peace of mind of both the seller and the buyer.
All motorbikes are measured on arrival, and each have their own made to measure bespoke crate. Bikes are secured to a pallet base, using ratchet straps and IPSM15 compliant chocking. Then the sides are added, along with additional bracing for stability, before the top is added and the crate is labelled and a security seal is added.
Shipping a Ducati 996S Canada via LCL
Autoshippers look after all of the shipping documents, including the UK Customs Clearance. We arrange for the marine insurance cover, which again gives total peace of mind for the owner of the bike. Darryl was given all details of the vessel that his motorbike was booked to be shipped on, along with the departure and arrival dates. This Ducati 996S was shipped on an LCL service.
LCL stands for “less than container load” which is the preferred service if your shipment is not large enough to make it cost effective for shipping within its own shipping container. In LCL shipping, the booking is made with a consolidator, who has weekly containers shipping to all popular destinations, including Canada, packed with commercial cargo along with our motorbikes.
Once the container was loaded with all of the booked cargo, it was delivered to the quayside awaiting loading onto the vessel. The shipping line confirmed that the container was loaded, and that the vessel had departed from the UK on its way overseas.
At this point, the Bill of Lading was issued by the shipping line. This document shows the details of the goods and acts as a receipt acknowledging that the item has been loaded onto the vessel, which has departed from the UK on a given date.
Autoshippers provided Darryl with a copy of the Bill of Lading, along with our confirmation that his motorbike had shipped showing the departure date and expected arrival date at the Canadian port. We also include contact details for the agent in Canada to whom Darryl needed to contact in regards to the Customs clearance and release of his motorbike on arrival.
Importing a Ducati 996S into Canada
Canadian Vehicle Import Regulations
As well as other countries, Autoshippers has an extensive Canadian Import Guide on our website. This details everything you need to know to import a vehicle into Canada, and we recommend our customers read it before they begin to look for a car or motorbike in the UK to ship.
Canada has strict import requirements in regards to safety standards, and these must be met by any vehicle that is imported into Canada.
The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) works closely with Transport Canada to ensure that all vehicles imported into Canada meet safety standards and applicable import regulations. It is important for you to know that your vehicle will be accepted into Canada before shipment as it is the responsibility of the importer to make sure that their vehicle is admissible for importation. If you ship an inadmissible vehicle to Canada your vehicle will be denied entry and you will be liable for all storage and disposal/re-export costs incurred.
While the CBSA and Transport Canada prohibit the importation of vehicles not manufactured for sale in either Canada or the United States of America, there are circumstances where vehicles manufactured for other foreign markets may be privately imported. Such circumstances include:
- Where the vehicle is in excess of 15 years old.
- If the vehicle is a bus manufactured before January 1st 1971.
- When the vehicle being imported is not of a regulated class (e.g. mobile homes designed to be towed or motorcycle side cars)
- Where the vehicle is a returning Canadian compliant vehicle being re-imported back into Canada (evidence will be required)
- If the vehicle is a returning U.S compliant vehicle originally owned in the United States.
There is no provision made in the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Act to permit vehicles that are sold in a country other than the U.S or Canada to be modified or altered to meet Canadian safety requirements.
Vehicles manufactured for sale in foreign markets that have been modified to meet U.S safety and emission regulations will be classed as ‘Grey Imports’ and are not permitted to be imported into Canada.
Arrival of your Motorbike in Canada and Customs Clearance
Darryl made contact with the local Customs agent, using the contact details that we gave him with his confirmation of shipment and bill of lading. They began the arrangements to clear the Ducati 996S with Canadian Customs.
When Vehicles are imported into Canada where will be duties and taxes that will be applied, these are calculated as a percentage of the declared value of the vehicle itself. This value is based on the purchase price, or taken from the Canadian Black Book. If you want an idea of the black book value of your vehicle you can take a look here on the BCAA Website.
Although there are a few duty-free exemptions, Customs duty Goods and Service Tax (GST) is calculated using the declared value of the vehicle and the below rate;
| Import Duty | 6.1% |
| Goods and Service Tax (GST) | 5% |
Registering an Imported Motorbike in Canada
Once your motorbike has been released by Canadian Customs, and all applicable import duties and taxes have been paid, it then needs to be registered for use on Canadian roads. There are varying regulations, depending on which province or territory you are planning to register your motorbike in, so you will need to check with the specific territory authority for details.
Darryl registered his vehicle in Alberta, and made sure that he had all relevant documentation that was required, such as;
- Proof of ownership document, such as a lease, bill of sale, probated will or letters of administration.
- Proof of valid insurance for the vehicle
- Personal Identification
There are also specific steps to take for registering a vehicle purchased outside of Canada, including completing a Transport Canada Vehicle Import Form (Form 1) and these need to be undertaken before a car or motorbike can be registered for use on Canadian roads.
Autoshippers – Delivering a 5-Star Shipping Service
Once all of the hoops had been jumped through, and Canadian Customs where happy that they had received all of the duties and taxes applicable to his Ducati 996s sport bike, Darryl was able to take delivery. The motorbike, still securely crated, arrived at his house ready to be unpacked.
Autoshippers had one happy customer on our hands, and Darryl sent us some photographs showing the unpacking process, as well as these comments;
Excellent customer service, great communication before, during and after the shipment left the UK. Their customer service team was readily available via phone or email and always very helpful. My bike travelled over 5600 miles via ocean and rail to reach its destination: the crating service was excellent. The shipping crate was well built & the bike was completely secure during its journey. Extremely satisfied with the whole process.
Darryl
Autoshippers – The Car (and Motorbike) Shipping Experts
From start to finish, we looked after Darryl’s Ducati 996S sport bike to ensure that we delivered to his door in exactly the same condition as it was received from the seller. All motorbikes that we ship have this rock star treatment, to the extent that we won’t ship a motorbike unless we can crate as part of the service.
If you’d like to have a quotation to ship your motorbike, then please fill out our quotation form with all your details. Alternatively, you can call us on +44 117 982 8123 / 0800 389 0784 or fill out the contact form on our website.
