Exporting a motorbike from UK to Italy

[tracks]

Has anyone done this? What things do I need to consider either before or after arrival?

[Nobby the Bastard]

[Suntan Sid]

Yes, I have, although to Cyprus, I can't imagine there's much difference.

You will need as much documentation as possible, V5, insurance certificate, sales receipt!
The bike will need a current MOT.
The bike will need to be insured, it will make things easier if you add European cover, this will allow you to ride the bike away on UK plates, once it's cleared customs, you can then shop around for a couple of weeks for local insurance.
Although you are importing from one European country to another there will still be duty to pay!
If the system is similar to that in Cyprus it is best to employ an agent to get the bike through customs. If you're literally going to "ship" it, then the shipping company can provide one. Take this option it will save you weeks of frustration.

There are plenty of shipping companies to choose from.

What you're paying them for:-
Building a crate for the bike.
Transporting the bike to a port.
Transporting your bike to Italy.
Insurance for your bike while it's in transit.
They will sort out the masses of paperwork required.
They will arrange for an agent to clear customs and pay any local taxes.

Despite having a current UK MOT, the Italian authorities will still have to "inspect" your bike, funnily enough there'll be a fee for this.
There also be a fee to register the bike locally, you'll have to buy local plates, local road tax and local insurance.

Don't, under any circumstances, get annoyed or angry about the bureaucracy, you'll be a foreigner and as such a third or fourth class citizen, getting angry about will get you absolutely nowhere.
Do what the agent tells you, hand over cash at the appropriate moments and sign the documents you're told to.

Good luck.
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"Everybody needs money, that's why they call it money!"

[tracks]

Thanks Sid. I'll seek out some agents and get prices as it may prove quicker to complete.

[1198]

Would it be worth selling it then simply buying one there?

[tracks]

[TaffyTDM]

[pepperami]

Cover/wrap the bike in brown paper and take it to the Post Office and get some stamps and post it to your new address
Don’t forget to mark it ‘FRAGILE’



Once again Dr Pepperami provides the answers
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I am the sum total of my own existence, what went before makes me who I am now!

[iooi]

[pepperami]