Hi, I apologise sincerely if this topic has been covered before but I couldn't find it.
I have a hair brained and half formed plan and before I get too excited I need to work out if it is possible. I want to ride around Asia the Stans and Northern Africa. My bike isn't really practical (fireblade) for some of the countries I want to visit so I need/want another. But why buy in the UK and then spend £000s shipping it back at the end of my trip. Why not just buy in Malaysia/ Hong Kong / Thailand and ride it home?
My problem is that some of the countries that I plan on going through require a carnet. Well I have no intention of returning the bike to the country I bought it in, I am planning on buying new so the cost of the carnet would be a lot more money than I would like to loose.
So how do I get a carnet for a bike purchased and initially registered in Asia that is being ridden back to the UK over a year or so and will be imported to the UK? And secondly can I claim back the tax paid on purchase of the bike as it will be immediately leaving the country as I assume I will get a huge tax bill on it on arrival back in blighty?!?


Sorry for the stupid question but if anyone can give me a sensible answer or point me in the right direction I would really appreciate it. Or tell me why I am being an idiot!


Thanks for reading my post

Hi,

First of all, don´t assume you will be able to register in the EU a bike, that you´ve bought from outside the EU. Something you will need to do lots of homework on. Many people have had trouble with this, and even bitter disappointments after having found out, that they cannot register those vehicles at all, or cost of doing it is totally prohibitive. But I´m really not an expert on that subject, just warning you, that the bike could end up like a “souvenir” that you can´t ride on public roads, only put on your wall, if you like! Better find out about those things well in advance.

The carnet you primarily arrange from the automobile association in your home country. If you buy somewhere else, or have residency, etc., then it could in some cases be possible, that it might be issued from elsewhere. But your own AA would be the first place to contact anyhow. And if no luck there, also try the German ADAC, in case they can help you out. But do note this: India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Japan, most likely Iran, and also Malaysia (only if you ship the vehicle in or out of there) are the places, where you will need it in Asia. So route options are available, where you don´t need the carnet (for example, you don´t need it for Russia, or any of the ´Stans north side of Afghanistan). Rules on buying a bike as a foreigner, and getting it registered in your name will also vary from country to country. Can actually be problematic on a tourist visa. You also have the option to buy a bike back home, prepare its paperwork (and the bike itself) and send it somewhere to begin your trip. Or do it the other way round; first do the trip, then send back home. Or even ride all the way back, too, if you prefer!

And riding with your own bike all the way from SE Asia to Europe is one more well-known issue (China & Burma being the biggest stumbling blocks).... but you´re in the right place already: the Southern Asia-section of the HUBB is just bursting with info on that subject.

.
Hi,
OK, I see it as a two part question.

Part 1/ Buy a bike in Asia, and ride it to UK.
Part 2/ Register it in UK

For part 1/
Which countries during your ride back, are asking for a carnet?
From what I know, there are none.
And if you did find a country that requires a carnet, I would be very much tempted to find a different route.

For part 2/
Pick your bike careful, for one, I would ensure there is a similar bike for sale, some where in the EU, to ensure type approval.
There are many bikes available in Asia, that are never sold in EU, so it would be a nightmare to try register it without type approval.
And similarly, there are just as many bikes, that are sold in EU, so type approval may not be the stumble point.
However, I thing the bikes that are EU type approved, will cost more than the non EU type approval bikes.


The carnet is generally an African thing.

Vette

Hi Guys, Thanks for responding so quickly.


Regarding the bike being looked at bmw g 650 very little difference in spec or price between model sold abroad or in UK ( excluding thailand where cost is prohibitative) I met someone this morning who has already done similar with virtually no problems registering his vehicle back in blighty. Vosa and bmw confirm that this wont be difficult. He did not require carnet due to his route being different but did end up paying a small amount of import tax which his accountant believes he should not have been charged and is trying to get back for him.
Registering a bike on initial purchase may be interesting as I am a UK resident but I am sure someone else will have previously found a loophole that I can exploit.
My route home is not planned as being the direct one and will definitely ( I believe) require a carnet or some silly bribes as it will take in 8-10 African countries including Egypt and Kenya which from previous trips I recall being sticklers for paperwork, so if it is to be possible some paperwork will be necessary.
I am intentionally trying to avoid the cost of shipping a bike out to Asia it would account for a substantial portion of my money that I don't want to spend it on shipping I would rather spend it on time away/bike/ fuel ect. Out of a tightish budget I don't want to spend 10-15% on shipping before doing anything. Riding bike both ways is impractical due to time and budget constraints unfortunately.
I spoke to the rac the other day and spoke to a very pleasant but unfortunately clueless young lady who suggested I call back next week and spoke to someone else as she had no idea if it was possible. I will try the Germans if no joy with the RAC on Monday.
There are problems with my plan I know but there are always ways round problems and this site tends to have a few people with ideas as mad as mine, and some of them have even made these crazy plans work!!! Any ideas much appreciated.

Here's an idea madder than yours maybe.... Well, someone may be interested.
Twelve years ago I went abroad, bought a bike and luggage, rode it all over the place for 4 months. Wonderful time, great people, everything from mountain glaciers to desert and hot sun, bears to snakes, and a few borders to cross. A shade under 4000 miles. People would say, "You're seeing more of our country than we do!"
No carnet or import paperwork. Nothing to pay at borders. Had tax refunded when I left the country of purchase.

Flew home at the end of the trip, rode the bike home from the airport (Gatwick). No registration, no type approval. No paperwork needed anywhere at any time.
Nothing but grand memories.
Athabasca Glacier in the north to Sonora and Chihuahua Deserts in Mexico in the south.
Bike is still going strong - nary an MOT, Road Tax, oil change or a fill of petrol.

Ooops - did I mention? The bike has no engine....



No need to be an Olympian for this. I was only an un-fit, very occasional, short-local-ride-on-an-old-bike, cyclist before setting off on this. And never imagined I'd reach Mexico from Canada in the 4 months.

Definitely worth a try!

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TTR250 - London to Cape Town

Lol a bit keen for me, exercise is a very dirty word! but FairPlay sounds like a cracking trip!!!!

Um....... your Jesus you can do anything!!!