Importing a Bike to the UK from Canada.

[Esaki]

Hey!

I'm an British citizen who's thinking of moving back to the UK next year.. I have a rather splendid looking red Guzzi Norge that I'd prefer not to part with... Looking at import costs it looks like it might end up costing 1/3rd of the cost of the bike in duty alone... (!) So, if it's that much, I'm thinking that I might have to part with it and re-buy a bike in the UK instead..

Anyone any idea if, as the bike is EU manufactured, that it qualifies for some import discount or something... Shot in the dark I know, but you know how you just sometimes become attached to a bike...

Thanks!
Steve.

[FJR-UK]

I admit that it was 26 years ago when I brought my bike into the country and things change, but back then you didn't have to pay duty if you could prove the bike was yours and if you did not sell it for three years. So, it might pay to have a closer look at the rules

[Papa Lazarou]

Sounds correct still-plus if it used.

[CDN]

I think the duty is gonna be hefty.   So much so that you best leave the Norge with me.  Are you out here on the West Coast?  Fear not, I'll come pick it up wherever it is.  I'll tend to its every need and I'll make sure you have some visitation rights: perhaps every third month's second weekend.









Hey, I tried Orson  

[Baz]

When CDN is away, I could be the 2nd care giver.

[Esaki]

Interesting... So if it's a used bike that I've owned for 6months or more (yes on both counts) then I might be able to skip duty. Or maybe not ! There are at least TWO government websites that tell you about importing bikes, but neither actually explain the process. And I thought the RIV process was annoying.. At least it's understandable..

Bureaucracy out of control anyone ? *sigh*.

@ Baz and CDN.

Interesting proposition! I'll just need a deposit roughly equal to the value of the bike

TBH not sure I could let it go though... Only if I had no other choice...

[Ralf]

In 1990 I imported an '85 RZ350 into Germany. If I recall correctly, I didn't have to pay any duties as it was a used bike. I did have to sign a statement promising not to sell the bike within a year or otherswise pay import duties. My biggest problem at the time was getting it registered and through Germany's strict TÜV (roughly the UK's equivalent of the MOT inspection).

Given the current exchange rate (at least vis-á-vis the €, not sure how the mauled GBP is currently doing), it might make sense.

[Esaki]

Hey Ralf,

Thanks that's good to know.. I already know I'll have to do a bunch of things to the Norge as, being Canadian, it's got a kmh dash. Other than that I'm assuming it's basically the same as what sells as the GT over in the UK.

Did you have to pay VAT (or whatever sales tax is called in Germany) ?

Thanks!
Steve.

[Ralf]

Hey Ralf,

Thanks that's good to know.. I already know I'll have to do a bunch of things to the Norge as, being Canadian, it's got a kmh dash. Other than that I'm assuming it's basically the same as what sells as the GT over in the UK.

Did you have to pay VAT (or whatever sales tax is called in Germany) ?

Thanks!
Steve.

Hi Steve,

If memory serves, I just paid for shipping (Lufthansa) and a couple hundred Deutsche Mark to get the bike (5 years old at the time) to pass the TÜV (fortunately my parents were on good terms with the local TÜV Director at the time).

However, it's been a while and maybe things have changed or are different for the UK. But perhaps check out this link (although it applies to importing a car from the US to Germany and not the UK) on a forum for expats living in Germany. The last post is from June 2009.

http://www.toytowngermany.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=39236

Cheers!

[Papa Lazarou]

EU rules rule in the UK too you know...

[Ralf]

EU rules rule in the UK too you know...

Yes, I know, but you never know where an "exception" might be lurking (e.g. see Treaty of Lisbon)

[Esaki]

Unfortunately, we're not a harmonized state just yet so each country is still at liberty to set their own import tariffs from items outside the EU, or have their own insane rules.

But, it looks like I might be able to escape duty as it is already a personal possession rather than something I'm importing instead of buying locally.

Thanks Ralf/All !
Steve.