Anyone imported before, how easy is it? Never been to Germany and obviously don't speak the language :Wideyed: Anyone on here from Germany who might know / help for some beer vouchers? Bike is in Röthlein
You need to notify HMRC within 14 days of importing the vehicle. I believe this is done by filling out the NOVA doc either online or get them to send you one. Only then will they decide what VAT you owe! I asked em if they could tell me before I purchased a bike what the tax would be on importation an they said no! but they did say that as long as VAT had been paid on the bike in its country of origin there "shouldn't" be any owing... ~(some one else on here my be able to shed more light on this?) Once this is done you need the DVLA doc v55/5. If you ring them they will post it along with a guide to filling out the form. Think there is a £55.00 fee for first reg in the UK. They were very helpful when i spoke to em.. Oh and if you ring the international number (losing the country code) its a free phone call.
I haven't but thought about it. Just a data point if the mileage is under 6000 kilometers (as I recall) its considered a new vehicle no matter what the age or ownership and liable for VAT into country of import. The other consideration is it has to be over 6 months old or again its considered new. You need to fulfill both criteria not just one. Full blurb here HM Revenue & Customs You need to notify HMRC within 2 weeks or you can get hit with draconian fines, something like £500 per week for every week its been here and HMRC not notified. Not wanting to scare you just making sure you don't end up with a whacking great bill
I see Chizel beat to some of the details. I also called them about the VAT too, as Chizel recommends and got the same reply that it "shouldn't" be liable for VAT.................IF VAT has been paid in the country of origin, on the new purchase. Of course that advice flies in the face of the 6000 kilometer rule and they would not give me a definitive answer on if the vehicle would be liable for VAT or not. They consider on a case to case basis and it would be assessed come the time it was imported. The upshot for me was "Fuck it" I'm not going to get stung for a £1000 or more just because some HMRC inspector didn't get his end away that morning. That's before you need to get to Homologation, but realistically my research showed that to be a bit of a PIA but nothing compared to HMRCs shenanigans Good Luck
It's about 12 years old showing 10,000 kms. More concerned about the actual process of doing the deal and getting it back to the UK but thanks for the good advice so far! Read something about export plates being required but it confused me :Asshat: I guess it's safer to pay cash once viewed and hire a van to drive to the port, ferry over then hire a van again here - I live in York.
I did it in 98 when I bought a s/h 748 from France. It was a doddle. Rode it home on French plates, got it registered, job done. No VAT or customs charges.
can you arrange with a long distance lorry driver/company to collect it on the way home?im sure there are companies do this service.fly out with a big bag of monies and look at and purchase then arrange with a local dealer to store bike with them or drive with biketrailer and bring home, simples. I bought my sport classic from englandshire, I drove from n Ireland (uk ) to s Ireland ( not uk ) then ferry from Dublin to hollyhead in welshshire then to englandshire and home to gods own country (if he existed ) over a weekend.
