Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Trip Paperwork
Permanently importing a motorcycle into the UK (from outside the EU) Permanently importing a motorcycle into the UK (from outside the EU)
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Trip Paperwork Covers all documentation, carnets, customs and country requirements, how to deal with insurance etc.
Photo by Lois Pryce, schoolkids in Algeria

25 years of HU Events


Destination ANYWHERE...
Adventure EVERYWHERE!




Photo of Lois Pryce, UK
and schoolkids in Algeria



Like Tree10Likes

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 14 Mar 2016
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Cornwall, in the far southwest of England, UK
Posts: 597
Permanently importing a motorcycle into the UK (from outside the EU)
Hi Everyone

I am currently trying to get my New Zealand registered motorbike re-registered in the UK with the DVLA.

The DVLA have sent me a bundle of re-registration papers to complete. However, they will not even begin the process until they receive clearance from HMRC (Customs).

I am corresponding with HMRC (vehicle team import control) in Salford, who have emailed me a list of requirements, which includes: fully completed C88/E2 import entry paperwork.

Has anyone ever dealt with one of these C88/E2 forms, which at first view appears to be a dastardly difficult document to complete - e.g. loads of technical gobbledegook, sections and codes to enter?

Or

Alternatively appointed a customs agent to deal with the import process on their behalf. If so, were they any good (and how much did they charge)?

Note: Despite writing (posted letter) to HMRC 3½ weeks ago, on Feb-19th, they have only just emailed me back today, advising that I must get everything in order and submitted to them within the next 14 days, or they will close the case! Therefore I need to work fast on this one.

Thanks in advance

Keith
[somewhat bemused by it all!?]
__________________
Right Way Round ...
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 14 Mar 2016
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Cornwall, in the far southwest of England, UK
Posts: 597
Okay, I’ve taken the proverbial “bull by the horns” so to speak. I guess I’m just an inpatient fellow.

For general information purposes: I recommend that you do not attempt to deal with HMRC direct. You could easily make mistakes with a DIY approach .. and worse still, you might open-up a whole can of VAT issue making you liable to paying tax when you could be exempt from this form of Duty.

I’ve been in touch with a Kent-based vehicle import agent, who will take care of everything for me. I’ve been assured that, because of my circumstances, I almost certainly will not be liable to pay VAT on this personal import.

Btw, the agent’s cost is very affordable at:

Customs Clearance (Manual) ....... GB£ 75.00
Input Fee (Software charge) ........ GB£ 3.50
TOTAL ...................................... GB£ 78.50

I ask: why bother doing it yourself and in doing so run the risk of exposing yourself to a potential VAT liability?
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 14 Mar 2016
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Zagreb, Croatia
Posts: 427
Hi Keith, how is the case that you're exempt from paying VAT? Can you provide more details for the community?

In my view it's smart thing to do and let the professional deal with this

Cheers
Dooby
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 14 Mar 2016
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 2,120
I'd also be interested in what's what with VAT. When I looked at importing the bike I have in the USA it was the likely VAT bill that stopped the project in its tracks.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 14 Mar 2016
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Cornwall, in the far southwest of England, UK
Posts: 597
Hi Dooby - it's good to hear from you.

I am dealing with the agent right now. Once I get confirmation that I am exempt from VAT, then I'll post again and give a full explanation.

I 'think' the reasons are that:
  • I have owned the moto for more than six months
  • I will be using it only for personal, private transport purposes, and
  • because I do not intend to sell it on (deal away) the moto on a commercial basis once it's imported.
But as said, I will post again when the import clearance is complete, which should be in about 10-14 days' time.

cheers

Keith [& Ellen]
__________________
Right Way Round ...
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 14 Mar 2016
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Zagreb, Croatia
Posts: 427
Hi Keith & Elen

I'm really curious about this so when you finalize the whole thing, let us know

Kind regards
Dooby
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 14 Mar 2016
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 4,343
Quote:
Originally Posted by Keith1954 View Post

I 'think' the reasons are that:
  • I have owned the moto for more than six months
  • I will be using it only for personal, private transport purposes, and
  • because I do not intend to sell it on (deal away) the moto on a commercial basis once it's imported.
That sounds like the rules that applied to me when I brought a car back to the UK after living and working in mainland Europe, nearly 20 years ago - the key point was that I bought it more than 6 months before I imported it to the UK, and I had used it and racked up some miles (IIRC, that is another kind of requirement - which might relate to your list above - the vehicle should be not just more than 6 months old at importation but there should be evidence that it has been duly used before the importation).

What these rules amount to is that the importation is of a second hand vehicle, even if you are the first owner (as in my case) - it could be different for importation from outside Europe?


There is this thread also, if you haven't found it previously:
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...uy-dr650-81272
__________________
Dave
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 15 Mar 2016
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wessex, UK
Posts: 2,136
A friend imported a Harley from the States a few years ago and the same applied, he had owned it for more than 6 months previously and there was a note on the V5 saying that if the vehicle was sold less than 12 months after registering it in then UK duty was payable. It only works for one off importations for personal use.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 5 Oct 2020
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Posts: 1
Who were the agents?
Hi Keith1954,
I read your thread with interest. I am about to move back to UK, from Canada, with my BMW, which I have owned since new 5 years ago. Please can you tell us who the agent was that you used in UK and whether you would recommend them?

JT
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 6 Oct 2020
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Cornwall, in the far southwest of England, UK
Posts: 597
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jenny Thorpe View Post
Hi Keith1954,
I read your thread with interest. I am about to move back to UK, from Canada, with my BMW, which I have owned since new 5 years ago. Please can you tell us who the agent was that you used in UK and whether you would recommend them?
JT

Hi Jenny - the agent I used was: UK Import Services Ltd

As I re-call, they were reasonably competent .. but that was 4½ years ago.

Good luck with your move.

cheers

Keith
__________________
Right Way Round ...
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 7 Oct 2020
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: Esperance, Western Australia
Posts: 92
I imported a Harley to UK from NZ, where I was living as a dual (NZ/UK) citizen, in 2002.
I had owned the bike in NZ for about a year when I did this.
The bike came into UK as the property of a returning UK resident (me) and I ran it around for a year on NZ plates.
This was in the days of Norwich Union's Rider Insurance policy, so insuring an overseas vehicle was no probs. So easy back then!

When the NZ registration expired, I got an MOT based on its VIN, not licence number - this is SOP.
The test centre I used didn't care/notice that the speedo was Kms only, maybe I just got lucky?
I then walked into a licensing office in Reading, Berkshire, got a UK licence plate for some fiddling fee, can't recall how much but it was way less than GBP100, no VAT, no import duty, nothing else. But you do need paperwork from HMRC proving that the bike came in to the country legally. This was supplied when it was released from the shipper as a returning resident's property.

This was 18 years ago, mind, and shit might be different now.
__________________
Hear the challenge, learn the lesson, pay the cost.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 7 Oct 2020
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Devon, UK
Posts: 869
You don't need to use a specialist importer to import your personal vehicle into the UK, you can do it yourself via a transport company such as Motofreight. It's no different from riding it in off the ferry and you can use it on foreign plates for a period of time.

The requirements for re-registering are laid out here: https://www.gov.uk/importing-vehicles-into-the-uk

Clearly there are some documents you'll have to provide so it's worth getting those in advance. There is no duty or tax to pay if it's a personal import and you own the vehicle for a certain amount of time before and after import, see here: https://www.gov.uk/government/public...de-the-eu#sec4
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 7 Oct 2020
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Wessex, UK
Posts: 2,136
And having a KM speedo is not a problem, not an MOT or registration issue, I have registered two imported bikes with them.
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Importing a bike into the US without a Motorcycle license GravyRainbow Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 3 8 Jan 2014 13:25
Shipping new motorcycle - importing or not? McShizzle Trip Paperwork 11 25 Sep 2013 12:15
Leaving / importing a motorcycle into Iceland Dave222 Iceland 4 2 Jan 2013 10:07
Permanently Importing Foriegn Registered Bike to United States Mountain Cruiser Trip Transport 2 4 Apr 2012 03:34

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
Ecuador June 13-15
Bulgaria Mini: June 27-29
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Aug 14-17
Romania: Aug 22-24
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)

Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 10:59.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top