G
Grant
Guest
There is a lot of misunderstanding and misinformation about importing a bike. Several folk on the forum have done it but I am sure there may be several more who would consider it if they understood the system better.
I had a discussion with Giles, the shipper (Shippio) I usually use and he kindly agreed to map out the details of importing a bike. He works out of the UK and can sea or air freight anywhere in the world.
Note:
This is not a hard sell, merely a detailed explanation with examples of what is involved in importing a bike to your country.
You are free to use any shipper you want, or any bike transport company you want. You are not tied to Shippio or me.
I asked Giles to cover 3 main areas:
- Importing a bike into the US
- Importing a bike into Australia
- Importing a bike into the EU (in this case from the US)
I will summarise below what he wrote:
Importing into the USA:
Restrictions:
Providing the vehicle is over 25 years old, there are no restrictions on permanently importing into the USA. If the vehicle is under 25 years old, then only race or off-road vehicles may be permanently imported.
Packing - The USA is very strict on the type of packing materials arriving into the country. As such all of our packing materials are ISPM-15 compliant to ensure no problems are encountered on arrival.
Documentation Requirements:
Passport photo page
Bill of Sale
Registration document
Shipping Process:
Your motorcycle can be collected from across the European Union by fully enclosed motorcycle truck or you are welcome to have the motorcycle delivered into one of our depots.
We then have your motorcycle professional packed into a custom wooden crate to ensure maximum protection during shipment. Your crated motorcycle is then shipped by ocean or airfreighted directly into US terminal or airport. Our US agent will then take over to look after the local US formalities. This can include as much or little as you prefer. Some customer prefer for their motorcycle to have the complete treatment, delivered to their door rolling ready to go. Others may prefer to collect still crated from their local terminal.
We can tailor to your requirements.
Pricing:
Vehicle shipping to the USA is very cost effective and it?s actually one of the cheapest and easiest destinations. Ocean shipping can even be organised to US inland terminals as shipping lines automatically transport inland by rail. Often airfreight should be considered as pricing may be lower than you expect.
Pricing example:
Crating & shipment of a Laverda 750 to arrival into New York ocean terminal:
GBP 620
US Terminal Handling
GBP 57
US Customs Clearances
USD 425
US Port Charges & Handling
USD 240
US Import Tax
0.125%* of the value of the bike
0.3464%* on the value of the bike ( Min $25 / Max $485)
This extra tax is only for ocean freight shipments (Harbour Maintenance Fee)
* Depending on value
US Import Duty:
2.5%* if the bike is 699cc or over
FREE if the bike is 650cc or under
* Depending on engine and value
US Import Bonds:
$4.50 per $1000 value of the bike x 3 ( Min $75 )
Example US$10,000 value bike = 10 x $4.50 x 3 = USD 135
Optional additions:
Transit insurance ? to cover for loss or damage during transit
Delivery un-crated to door in the USA by fully enclosed motorcycle truck.
Importing into Australia
Restrictions:
Providing the vehicle was manufactured before 1st January 1989 there are few problems experienced in permanently importing into Australia. Later vehicles may be imported, but only if you owned and used them for a period of 12 months outside of Australia.
Quarantine:
Many customers worry about the cleanliness regulations when importing a vehicle into Australia. The inspectors don?t insist on fumigation of every vehicle that arrives and many have no problems. They are specifically looking for signs of dust, seeds or soil with specific attention to often forgotten areas of a motorcycle. These include underneath the seats and under mud guards.
A fumigation certificate prior to shipment is no guarantee that Australian Quarantine inspectors won?t insist on additional fumigation on arrival. Many customers choose to have their vehicle clean before shipment, then take the chance of fumigation charges on arrival. These are typically under AUD 200.
Packing:
Australian MAFF inspectors are very strict on the type of packing materials arriving into Australia. As such all of our packing materials are ISPM-15 compliant to ensure no problems are encountered on arrival.
Documentation Requirements:
Passport photo page
Bill of Sale
Registration document
Australian Import Approval Certificate (https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/vehicles/imports/new.aspx#anc_application)
Shipping Process:
Your motorcycle can be collected from across the European Union by fully enclosed motorcycle truck or you are welcome to have the bike delivered into one of our depots.
We then have your motorcycle professional packed into a custom wooden crate to ensure maximum protection during shipment. Your crated motorcycle is then shipped by ocean or airfreighted directly into Australian terminal or airport. Our Australian agent will then take over to look after the local formalities on arrival. This can include as much or little as you prefer. Some customer prefer for their motorcycle to have the complete treatment, delivered to their door rolling ready to go. Others may prefer to collect still crated from their local terminal in either Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth.
We can tailor to your requirements.
Pricing:
Vehicle shipping to Australia is certainly cost effective providing you obtain your import approval certificate. Often airfreight should be considered as pricing may be lower than you expect.
Pricing example:
Crating & shipment of a Laverda 750 to arrival into Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth or Brisbane ocean terminal:
GBP 645
Terminal Handling & Arrival Charges (Australian)
AUD 555
Customs Clearances (Australian)
AUD 150
Quarantine Charges (Australian) o This excludes fumigation charges. Fumigation is not always required and depends on the inspecting officer
AUD 255
Import Tax (GST)
10% of CIF value*
CIF is the combined value of the motorcycle, shipping costs and any insurance policies.
For more information please see: http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page4371.asp
* Depends on value
Import Duty:
Free for motorcycles
For more information please see: http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page4371.asp
Optional additions:
Transit insurance ? to cover for loss or damage during transit
Delivery to door in Australia by fully enclosed motorcycle truck
Importing a bike into the EU (in this case from the US)
Restrictions:
There are no restrictions on permanently importing motorcycles from the USA into Europe and the age of the motorcycle will dictate the amount of Duties/taxes charged on import into the EU.
Documentation Requirements:
Passport photo page (New Owner)
Bill of Sale (Notarised)
Registration document (Original US Title)
Shipping Process:
1. Collection in the USA ? Optional:
Most Vehicles tend to be shipped from Chicago, Seattle, Los Angeles, Houston, Miami, Savannah or New York and will need to be transported to the port for loading. If the seller is unable to drop the bike into a local depot, we can certainly arrange collection from across the USA by fully enclosed motorcycle truck for you. A full condition report will be made on collection for your records.
2. Loading, shipping, UK import customs clearances and local charges:
On arrival of your motorcycle into one of the depots, your motorcycle will be photographed and professionally loaded into a vehicle shipping container for shipment to arrival into UK port. We will then clear through customs ready for you to collect from Felixstowe, GB (We can arrange forward delivery to your address if required).
You will need to allow a realistic shipping time of between 4 -7 weeks from the USA depending on the location. Many people quote less, but US customs authorities alone can take over 14 days simply to authorise export of the motorcycle from the USA.
3. Customs Duties & Taxes (HMRC Charges):
You will also need to pay any import duties and VAT on import of the motorcycles into the EU. Providing your motorcycle is over 30 years old we may be able to import at the reduced levels of zero duty and 5% VAT.
These are calculated as follows:
Duty and VAT:
Duty ? Motorcycle 250cc and under: 8%
Duty ? Motorcycle over 250cc: 6%
VAT ? Vehicle less than 30 years old: 20% of value of vehicle + all shipping costs + Duty
VAT ? Vehicle 30 years and over (Please note that no Duty is levied either): 5% of value of vehicle + all shipping costs
Please note:
We organise the payment of these to HMRC for you and we will add on a 2.5% charge on the monies paid.
VAT Adjustment factors may also apply
We may be able to obtain a customs ruling for either ?collectors? or ?historic? vehicles manufactured after 1950 so that they may be imported duty free and at the lower VAT level.
Further detail may be found at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/vat/sectors/consumers/personal- vehicles.htm#1
4. Delivery/Transport of the motorcycle across the EU ? Optional:
You are quite welcome to collect your motorcycle from Felixstowe, GB, or alternatively we can deliver by fully enclosed motorcycle truck to your address across the UK or Europe.
We can tailor to your requirements.
Pricing:
Vehicle shipping from the USA is very cost effective, especially when you take into account the reduced duty/vat charged on vehicles over 30 years old.
Pricing example:
Collection of a Laverda 750 motorcycle from Washington DC to our New York depot by fully enclosed motorcycle truck
GBP 285
Loading, shipping, UK import customs clearances and local charges:
GBP 695
Customs Duties & Taxes (VAT)
Depending on value
Delivery/Transport of the motorcycle Felixstowe, GB to Paris, FR
GBP 295
Optional additions:
Transit insurance:
To cover for loss or damage during transit to the motorcycles full value
Procurement Service:
If you find a motorcycle of interest, as well as a shipping service, we can also offer a procurement option to control when funds are paid to a seller in order to give you maximum peace of mind.
Shippio Ltd, 75 High Street, Wollaston, Northamptonshire, NN29 7QE
T: +44 (0) 1604 419 815
email: admin@shippio.com
I had a discussion with Giles, the shipper (Shippio) I usually use and he kindly agreed to map out the details of importing a bike. He works out of the UK and can sea or air freight anywhere in the world.
Note:
This is not a hard sell, merely a detailed explanation with examples of what is involved in importing a bike to your country.
You are free to use any shipper you want, or any bike transport company you want. You are not tied to Shippio or me.
I asked Giles to cover 3 main areas:
- Importing a bike into the US
- Importing a bike into Australia
- Importing a bike into the EU (in this case from the US)
I will summarise below what he wrote:
Importing into the USA:
Restrictions:
Providing the vehicle is over 25 years old, there are no restrictions on permanently importing into the USA. If the vehicle is under 25 years old, then only race or off-road vehicles may be permanently imported.
Packing - The USA is very strict on the type of packing materials arriving into the country. As such all of our packing materials are ISPM-15 compliant to ensure no problems are encountered on arrival.
Documentation Requirements:
Passport photo page
Bill of Sale
Registration document
Shipping Process:
Your motorcycle can be collected from across the European Union by fully enclosed motorcycle truck or you are welcome to have the motorcycle delivered into one of our depots.
We then have your motorcycle professional packed into a custom wooden crate to ensure maximum protection during shipment. Your crated motorcycle is then shipped by ocean or airfreighted directly into US terminal or airport. Our US agent will then take over to look after the local US formalities. This can include as much or little as you prefer. Some customer prefer for their motorcycle to have the complete treatment, delivered to their door rolling ready to go. Others may prefer to collect still crated from their local terminal.
We can tailor to your requirements.
Pricing:
Vehicle shipping to the USA is very cost effective and it?s actually one of the cheapest and easiest destinations. Ocean shipping can even be organised to US inland terminals as shipping lines automatically transport inland by rail. Often airfreight should be considered as pricing may be lower than you expect.
Pricing example:
Crating & shipment of a Laverda 750 to arrival into New York ocean terminal:
GBP 620
US Terminal Handling
GBP 57
US Customs Clearances
USD 425
US Port Charges & Handling
USD 240
US Import Tax
0.125%* of the value of the bike
0.3464%* on the value of the bike ( Min $25 / Max $485)
This extra tax is only for ocean freight shipments (Harbour Maintenance Fee)
* Depending on value
US Import Duty:
2.5%* if the bike is 699cc or over
FREE if the bike is 650cc or under
* Depending on engine and value
US Import Bonds:
$4.50 per $1000 value of the bike x 3 ( Min $75 )
Example US$10,000 value bike = 10 x $4.50 x 3 = USD 135
Optional additions:
Transit insurance ? to cover for loss or damage during transit
Delivery un-crated to door in the USA by fully enclosed motorcycle truck.
Importing into Australia
Restrictions:
Providing the vehicle was manufactured before 1st January 1989 there are few problems experienced in permanently importing into Australia. Later vehicles may be imported, but only if you owned and used them for a period of 12 months outside of Australia.
Quarantine:
Many customers worry about the cleanliness regulations when importing a vehicle into Australia. The inspectors don?t insist on fumigation of every vehicle that arrives and many have no problems. They are specifically looking for signs of dust, seeds or soil with specific attention to often forgotten areas of a motorcycle. These include underneath the seats and under mud guards.
A fumigation certificate prior to shipment is no guarantee that Australian Quarantine inspectors won?t insist on additional fumigation on arrival. Many customers choose to have their vehicle clean before shipment, then take the chance of fumigation charges on arrival. These are typically under AUD 200.
Packing:
Australian MAFF inspectors are very strict on the type of packing materials arriving into Australia. As such all of our packing materials are ISPM-15 compliant to ensure no problems are encountered on arrival.
Documentation Requirements:
Passport photo page
Bill of Sale
Registration document
Australian Import Approval Certificate (https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/vehicles/imports/new.aspx#anc_application)
Shipping Process:
Your motorcycle can be collected from across the European Union by fully enclosed motorcycle truck or you are welcome to have the bike delivered into one of our depots.
We then have your motorcycle professional packed into a custom wooden crate to ensure maximum protection during shipment. Your crated motorcycle is then shipped by ocean or airfreighted directly into Australian terminal or airport. Our Australian agent will then take over to look after the local formalities on arrival. This can include as much or little as you prefer. Some customer prefer for their motorcycle to have the complete treatment, delivered to their door rolling ready to go. Others may prefer to collect still crated from their local terminal in either Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide or Perth.
We can tailor to your requirements.
Pricing:
Vehicle shipping to Australia is certainly cost effective providing you obtain your import approval certificate. Often airfreight should be considered as pricing may be lower than you expect.
Pricing example:
Crating & shipment of a Laverda 750 to arrival into Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth or Brisbane ocean terminal:
GBP 645
Terminal Handling & Arrival Charges (Australian)
AUD 555
Customs Clearances (Australian)
AUD 150
Quarantine Charges (Australian) o This excludes fumigation charges. Fumigation is not always required and depends on the inspecting officer
AUD 255
Import Tax (GST)
10% of CIF value*
CIF is the combined value of the motorcycle, shipping costs and any insurance policies.
For more information please see: http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page4371.asp
* Depends on value
Import Duty:
Free for motorcycles
For more information please see: http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page4371.asp
Optional additions:
Transit insurance ? to cover for loss or damage during transit
Delivery to door in Australia by fully enclosed motorcycle truck
Importing a bike into the EU (in this case from the US)
Restrictions:
There are no restrictions on permanently importing motorcycles from the USA into Europe and the age of the motorcycle will dictate the amount of Duties/taxes charged on import into the EU.
Documentation Requirements:
Passport photo page (New Owner)
Bill of Sale (Notarised)
Registration document (Original US Title)
Shipping Process:
1. Collection in the USA ? Optional:
Most Vehicles tend to be shipped from Chicago, Seattle, Los Angeles, Houston, Miami, Savannah or New York and will need to be transported to the port for loading. If the seller is unable to drop the bike into a local depot, we can certainly arrange collection from across the USA by fully enclosed motorcycle truck for you. A full condition report will be made on collection for your records.
2. Loading, shipping, UK import customs clearances and local charges:
On arrival of your motorcycle into one of the depots, your motorcycle will be photographed and professionally loaded into a vehicle shipping container for shipment to arrival into UK port. We will then clear through customs ready for you to collect from Felixstowe, GB (We can arrange forward delivery to your address if required).
You will need to allow a realistic shipping time of between 4 -7 weeks from the USA depending on the location. Many people quote less, but US customs authorities alone can take over 14 days simply to authorise export of the motorcycle from the USA.
3. Customs Duties & Taxes (HMRC Charges):
You will also need to pay any import duties and VAT on import of the motorcycles into the EU. Providing your motorcycle is over 30 years old we may be able to import at the reduced levels of zero duty and 5% VAT.
These are calculated as follows:
Duty and VAT:
Duty ? Motorcycle 250cc and under: 8%
Duty ? Motorcycle over 250cc: 6%
VAT ? Vehicle less than 30 years old: 20% of value of vehicle + all shipping costs + Duty
VAT ? Vehicle 30 years and over (Please note that no Duty is levied either): 5% of value of vehicle + all shipping costs
Please note:
We organise the payment of these to HMRC for you and we will add on a 2.5% charge on the monies paid.
VAT Adjustment factors may also apply
We may be able to obtain a customs ruling for either ?collectors? or ?historic? vehicles manufactured after 1950 so that they may be imported duty free and at the lower VAT level.
Further detail may be found at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/vat/sectors/consumers/personal- vehicles.htm#1
4. Delivery/Transport of the motorcycle across the EU ? Optional:
You are quite welcome to collect your motorcycle from Felixstowe, GB, or alternatively we can deliver by fully enclosed motorcycle truck to your address across the UK or Europe.
We can tailor to your requirements.
Pricing:
Vehicle shipping from the USA is very cost effective, especially when you take into account the reduced duty/vat charged on vehicles over 30 years old.
Pricing example:
Collection of a Laverda 750 motorcycle from Washington DC to our New York depot by fully enclosed motorcycle truck
GBP 285
Loading, shipping, UK import customs clearances and local charges:
GBP 695
Customs Duties & Taxes (VAT)
Depending on value
Delivery/Transport of the motorcycle Felixstowe, GB to Paris, FR
GBP 295
Optional additions:
Transit insurance:
To cover for loss or damage during transit to the motorcycles full value
Procurement Service:
If you find a motorcycle of interest, as well as a shipping service, we can also offer a procurement option to control when funds are paid to a seller in order to give you maximum peace of mind.
Shippio Ltd, 75 High Street, Wollaston, Northamptonshire, NN29 7QE
T: +44 (0) 1604 419 815
email: admin@shippio.com
and it was indeed a 'new' 40 year old Laverda. all standard and clean.