what documents do you need to obtain when importing a custom built chopper from the USA.?

Question

i intend to purchase a custom built chopper from the usa, how do i get it registered in the uk, do i need to get an mot if it is brand new because it is an import and custom made even if it is just to make sure it is to uk saftey regulations, what problems am i likley to encounter

Answer 1

Well, yes you do, as other answers suggest need to have it put through an SVA test to comply with the UK regulations etc. I don't think there will be too much to worry about on the Bike, the UK is stricter on safety issues, there will be lighting and indicator issues perhaps, fenders, type, shape, no sharp bits, some of the OCC choppers wouldn't pass on that alone, for instance one of their chops I saw recently had a front fender like a harpoon! if the impact didn't injure the pedestrian, the fender sure would! But that is just an example. Registration is straight forward, and some of the importers will even do that for you. As it is their business they will know the pitfalls and shortcuts available. There will be an import tax levied, different products are rated on a percentage, and then VAT the tax man always wants his slice of pie! All the necessary documentation will be organised by the importer. I know of one importer for Bikes and cars that will even sort out your SVA for you if required, plus they can arrange the delivery of your "scoot" to the port of departure, it's a full service, and well established by the looks of it. check out this site
http://www.kingstown-shipping.co.uk/index.htm

I reckon a phone call to them will answer your questions in detail, there's good info on the web site as well.
Of course you could contract the shipper to do less for you, and perhaps arrange customs, tax, SVA yourself, or at least play a bigger part in it, but in the long run, I have noted it is cheaper and more efficient to work with one of these established outfits who know the ropes.

Good Luck

Answer 2

Assuming you already know that import duty, V.A.T. and brokerage fees will add 30% to the price of the bike, you will need to get it through an S.V.A. test in order to get it registered. Unless you know some-one in the trade who specialises in this, it will fail.

American built custom bikes are designed for American laws and need to be heavily modified in order to pass the S.V.A. This will cost you a lot of money.

You will have no warranty on the bike, regardless of what you are told. None of the U.S. bike builders will warranty their machines if exported privately from America. If anything goes wrong, it will cost you a lot of money.

Why go to all that expense and difficulty, when there are top quality custom bike builders in Britain?

Answer 3

$32,000 on as much as how deep are your wallet. in my opinion I fairly have merely considered a pair of OCC on-air motorcycles that i myself loved sufficient to have in my storage. they are the pass motorbike, the NAPA drag motorbike, and the Sunoco motorbike. back, very own flavor right here. If I had the money i could pay a bypass to to Hank youthful of youthful Choppers and Hotrods of Georgia. right it is the motorbike that became featured on an episode of motorbike construct Off. See 0.33 URL decrease than. good success

Answer 4

You need your "future dirt bag documents" and have watched the "how to be a bad*ss video" 3 times. And "the Milwaukee orthodoxy" while not required is reccomended reading.

But seriously WHY would want one of those cantankerous contraptions? I as an american am ashamed that these are the motorcycles we are famous for. They are useless, classless, trash.