Importing from Canada, to the UK, via Mexico - dooable or am I dreaming?

[tdsfox]

Hello everyone.

This is my first post on the Hubb, so let me start by applauding all those who have already contributed - a fantastic resource to be sure.

Right, onto business then.

I’ve just bought myself a new KLR 650 in Toronto and I intend to import it into the UK at the end of June. But rather than shipping the bike directly back from Canada (which is now rather pricey due to changes in legislation that means motorbikes are classified as dangerous goods), I’m planning on taking a three week jaunt to Mexico City, and shipping it back from there.

My questions to the wise, are as follows:

1 Shipping: Does anyone know any decent (and cheap) air freight companies operating out of Mexico? – I’ve just e-mailed about sixty companies ranging from the likes of Lufthansa and DHL all the way down to El Flappio Wingso – but would be interested if anyone has made the trip recently.

2 Tax: Having already been hit by 14.5% sales tax in Canada, I'm trying to find out how much UK tax I'll have to pay. According to the user unfriendly HMRC website, it seems like I may have to pay a whole lot more, both in VAT and import duty. Is that right? If not, who’s the resident tax expert that can point me in the right direction?


I should point out that the bike is currently registered under my Canadian friend’s name in Toronto, so when I ‘buy’ it off him in June, the bike will technically be second hand. It will also have about 4000 miles on the clock when it’s imported, but will only be 4 months old.


Cheers everyone and ride safe.


Tom