Importing a bike from the US

[winger]

A question for Jason really,but has anyone else shipped a bike from the US,how much to ship it,and at what rate do you pay import duty,our vat rate??on what?? the bill of sale?.

[Archie]

Ah that'll be a Harley then, probably a chrome custom job.

A very wise and safe purchase for a middle-aged brummy gentleman.

Yours in hiding...........................

[Jason M]

A question for Jason really,but has anyone else shipped a bike from the US,how much to ship it,and at what rate do you pay import duty,our vat rate??on what?? the bill of sale?.

Chris - I'm afraid I don't know exactly how much the cost was cos it was all done by someone else and there were about 25 bikes in the same container. I've heard people paying about £300 to get their bike accross on a boat - takes about 3 weeks. Take a look on http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ and someone on there is sure to be able to tell you more.

As for the import duties - I think that is all dependent on the age of the vehicle - there is some formula I think. I had a mate import a VFR bought in New Zealand via the states to the uk and I don't think he payed that much but I'm sorry mate - that's about all I know!

And so what is sir looking for exactly?

Jason

[Steve W]

Chris

The import duty rate for new or used motorcycles over 250cc is 6%
This is payable on the imported value of the bike (bike cost + cost of any freight and insurance).
VAT will then be levied on the imported value together with the duty and any arrival charges.
I would guess that arrival charges would be in the region of +/-GBP200

ie
GBP1,000.00 - Value of bike including freight & insurance
GBP 60.00 - Duty @6%
---------------
GBP1,060.00
GBP 200.00 - Arrival Charges
--------------
GBP1,260.00 - Value for VAT purposes
GBP 220.50 - Vat @ 17.5%

With regards to documentation to be presented to customs, you would need to be able to prove the value you are declaring via an invoice of some sort from the seller.

This assumes that you did not export the bike in the first place.

Hope this helps.

Steve

[winger]

Hi Jason

I'm looking fot a K1200s,shit low down fuelling,but good aero dynamics two up!!

Thanks for that Steve,i'd heard that the tax was on all the costs!! which ups the anti,haveing said that the way the dollar is going it's still an option.

Chris

[rogerslater]

Hi Chris,

Have a look at HC Travels Shipping info on:

http://www.hctravel.com/airsea.html


Regards

Roger