I’m thinking of importing a bike from India for personal use, what will be cost involved like Customs duty?

Question

I’m thinking of importing a bike from India for personal use, what will be cost involved like Customs duty freight and any restrictions dose anyone know any particular place who can do all this for me. Does anyone know how much it will cost to import a bike this is costing around £1000? I do understand I need the MOT test done but would like to know how to import the bike in the first place.
Regards
Kittu
Have A New Year

I’m thinking of importing a bike from India for personal use, what will be cost involved like Customs duty freight and any restrictions dose anyone know any particular place who can do all this for me. Does anyone know how much it will cost to import a bike this is costing around £1000? I do understand I need the MOT test done but would like to know how to import the bike in the first place.
Regards
Kittu
Have A New Year

Import to UK London

Answer 1

Creviazuk is right - it really isn't financially viable (unless the bike is ultra-rare in the U.K.).

Add around £1,000 for shipping charges, 30% for V.A.T. and import duties, and £500 for an S.V.A. test and registration. If it's not a known U.K. model, your insurance will be heavily loaded, too.

Your £1,000 buy will cost you about £3,500 to get over here and on the road...

Answer 2

Looks like it miight be interesting to import bikes like Bajaj Pulsar 400 SS or CS which will cost only 2500pounds in India even when imported lets say an additional 3000 pounds is added (1000 for transportation, 30 % import duties i.e 700pounds, 500 pounds for registration nd emission checks, 800 forinsurance) still the bike is going to cost 5500 pounds, I bet you cant get such a good bike that too in UK for that price. Maintenance will be an issue but I am sure bajaj will provide support for alternative products. Moreover bajaj pulsar is a very good quality bike I had a older version for about 5 years and did get any problems. THe current version has mileage about 24kmpl with 400 cc.

Answer 3

Don't bother to import a bike from India. The amount of hassle from Customs and Excise and paperwork will soon eat into your budget. The Enfields and all the models are sold by various dealers over here in England. There are plenty second hand ones in the Motor Cycle News every week. I had one for two years and it was great fun.
Hope this helps.

Answer 4

For imported vehicle:

Import Duty...a bit like VAT - but on what THEY think it's worth if your stated value appear too low.
Also need the vehicle inspectorate to issue the vehicle with a V5 registration docment & they make sure it complies with UK spec. eg. Headlamps, tail light, rear brake & fog light, orange indicators, emissions checked.
Must have an MOT issued if over 3 years old.

Import through 'normal' freight chanels. 'Buy' space in a container or go speak to a freight / shipping company.

Answer 5

I am not an expert on importing bikes but I would think that if you were thinking of importing a bike of that cost it would not be worth it as I believe you would be looking at at least £500 to do it.

I am assuming you are thinking of a new commuter bike( very poor quality), but you can get Korean or Chinese imports cheap already brought in.

Put more Details of which bike and I will try to find out more

Answer 6

don't do it. The Indian Enfield is officially imported into the UK and there is a dealer and spares network. Secondhand Enfields are advertised in "Motorcycle News" paper, on sale every wednesday.

Answer 7

import to where?
US
Europe
Asia
australia

can you be more vague please?

for personal use huh? heh
yeah i've used the "for personal use" excuse myself