Motorcycles are originally manufactured to safety & emissions specifications that differ between Europe, USA, Canada, and other world markets. BMWs built for original sale in Europe can be legally imported into, & re-titled/registered in the USA, but only if first 'conformed', that is changed to meet US DOT & EPA requirements. To conform a Euro-spec BMW to US-spec is complicated, expensive & time-consuming enough that (together with transatlantic shipping cost) it is not cost-effective or recommended under most circumstances. NOTE: these rules apply only to Euro-spec bikes imported to the US with the purpose of 'permanent' re-registration in the US; personally-owned bikes brought to the US by non-resident Europeans for 'temporary' touring up to 12 months are NOT subject to these rules.

The required process is described at the websites of US Customs,www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/newsroom/publications/trade/importexportcar.ctt/importingacar.doc,  US DOT/ National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import; and US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), www.epa.gov/otaq/imports. EPA info is also available from EPA imported vehicle staff tel 734-214-4100.You must contract with a NHTSA "Registered Importer (RI)"--listed on the NHTSA website--who is also an EPA "Independent Commercial Importer (ICI)" or affiliated with an ICI, in advance of the bike being shipped/imported to the US. If you try to import a Euro-spec bike without an RI/ICI contract, US Customs can seize the bike or require you to re-ship it to Europe. The NHTSA website lists many RIs; of these, only six are also registered as EPA ICIs as of May 2005. In 2004-05, only two RI/ ICIs have conformed BMWs:

US SPECS (Carl Brinegar). +1/ 410.273.6464, fax +1/ 410.273.6119; ; 131 Loflin Road, Bldg H, Aberdeen MD 21001.
Wallace Environmental Testing Laboratories (Les Weaver). +1/ 713.956.7705, fax +1/ 713.956.0104;, www.wallacelab.com; 2140 Wirtcrest, Houston TX 77055.

Expect an RI/ICI to charge a minimum $3000 for required DOT & EPA documentation. The process takes up to 6 months after the bike arrives in the US, during which it is held in Customs bond by the RI/ICI while the federal documentation, emissions and physical changes are completed, and only then released to you for title/registration in your home State. Some BMWs previously imported & listed with "VSP" numbers on the NHTSA website may cost less and take less time. Actual physical safety changes required are relatively minor (mph speedometer, DOT headlight, reflectors, tire placard) for most late model bikes; most of the cost/time is in the EPA emissions testing, and safety/emissions documentation, process NHTSA & EPA require of the RI/ICI. Euro-spec bikes at least 21 years old are exempt from these requirements.

Bikes manufactured to Canadian-spec are subject to a similar process to import/change to US-spec, but the rules differ, are listed separately on the NHTSA website and in EPA material. Canadian-spec import documentation is much less expensive (est.$400) and handled by Canadian-specialist RIs.  NHTSA import regulations allow an alternative process to obtain a manufacturer's letter instead of using a RI; but BMW AG, BMW NA, and BMW Canada will not assist you in any case by issuing a letter; you must use a Registered Importer/Independent Commercial Importer.

NOTE: the above requirements do NOT apply to Euro-spec bikes being 'temporarily' imported--e.g. for touring--by their non-resident owners to the US/Canada for up to 12 months to ride under European (or any overseas) registration before being re-exported back to country of origin:www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/travel/clearing/non_comm_vehicle_import.ctt/non_comm_vehicle_import.doc.