Can i get legal motorbikes from US and Canada legal in theUK

[b0unt1 tw1ns]

Hi , ive been looking into some bikes in The US and Canada which are damaged , e.g Cat D , Cat C .

Im really intreasted but the big question is can i get them road registered in the UK ,

If so would it cost much to do so.

I would appricated any advice given kind regards Thomas

[pits]

Why?
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[Shaft]

Not really sure if it's worth it now, unless the bike you're buying has a massive following and there's no supply here.

Importing used to be a mega business, but it's slowed up a lot now, so I'm guessing that regulations have been tightened and fees have increased, but here's how it worked a few years ago:

You buy your bike/car, pay to have it shipped, pay someone to administer the import this end, pay import duty and VAT, then get it through Single Vehicle Type Approval, then register it.

I would expect the numbers to be something like this:

Bike $2000, or £1300 @ current exchange rate.

Shipping £500

Admin £200

Import duty @ 10% of vehicle value, including shipping costs and insurance £180

VAT @ 20% of the total of vehicle price + import duty £395

SVA £200

Registration £100

Total cost £2875

I've estimated some of the fees, based on what they were a few years ago, so they might not be completely accurate, plus there might be a few things I've forgotten, or not kept up with (it's been a while since I was involved with imports) and it doesn't include any mods you may have to make, to get it through SVA.

If you don't mind a bit of paperwork, it's not that difficult, but I'm not sure there's any money in it.
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[b0unt1 tw1ns]

Thanks for the advice shaft i really appricate it , the reason why i was intreasted as i seen a couple of cbr600 gsxr600 in canada and america which were pritty cheap , but now youve explained all the costs i see why.

All the best Tom

[Shaft]

No problem.

I'm afraid importing vehicles is another of those avenues of pleasure closed to us by the government and it's various money grabbing departments.

It used to be the case that some of the taxes were reduced, if the vehicle was over a certain age, but I'm not sure that's still true.

There is a guy that regularly advertises classic Jap bikes on Ebay, freshly imported from the US, but I'm guessing he reduces his costs by bringing them in by the container load and the market for old rice burners might not be quite as buoyant stateside; he also sells them unregistered, which means the buyer sorts out SVA and registration, saving him a good few quid and some headaches.

Over the last few years, there's been a very significant reduction in the number of people selling imports, which can only be because the profit:aggro ratio makes the process not very attractive, unless you've got a deal going with a buyer abroad and can bring stuff over in bulk.
____________________
Things get better with age; I'm close to being magnificent........
20 RE Interceptor, 83 Z1100A3, 83 GS650 Katana
WooHoo, I'm a Man Point Millionaire! https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=234035

[fozzym]

How do you know they are Cat C/D ? as thats the system used by our insurers which in turn comes from government legislation.

If it was me I'd check how damaged bikes in those countries are rated as you might find that things are different to over here.

Worst thing could be you import a bike that will never be allowed on the road in this country.

[.Chris.]

I think I'm right in saying that you don't need an MSVA if the bike's over 10 years old, just an MOT.
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Chris
1985 Kawasaki Z550F

[Shaft]

^^^^I've looked it up and you're correct, I did think there was still some kind of let off for importing older machines.

I'm still not entirely convinced there's much money in setting up a brand new business doing it though, I suspect the people making a success of it have been at it for a while and already have the infrastructure in place.
____________________
Things get better with age; I'm close to being magnificent........
20 RE Interceptor, 83 Z1100A3, 83 GS650 Katana
WooHoo, I'm a Man Point Millionaire! https://www.bikechatforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=234035

[sickpup]