Importing an Older BIke from Australia - Need Advice

[mattlacey]

Has anybody imported an Australian/Japenese bike that's older than 10 years? The gov website only mentions that some particular process is available for bikes under 10 years old, but can't work out what the requirements are for a bike > 10 years old.

It's my own bike that I've owned for ~2.5 years or so, and it's a '97 Suzuki Across (GSX 250 F), basically I4 250 that's a good lark to ride. Moving back to the UK and plan to bring it along but can't work out what's required (if anything) to have it declared road legal etc.

[srob]

I'll ask my cousin. He's out in Australia and has shipped old(er - 1920s) bikes back in the past.

Will just warn he's not always the quickest to reply though!

[carinaman]

I think someone on PH imported the JDM motorcycle(s) they'd riden into Australia, or possibly NZ, into the UK when they returned to the UK.

I think it was a mini Fireblade type motorcycle with a fancy swing arm, but I could be wrong. My memory is definitely saying 'HRC' and red, white and blue.

[gareth_r]

Over 10 years old you just need an MOT, no Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval test.

Strictly speaking, you need to make certain changes that are legally required, but are not part of the MOT test, e.g. MPH speedometer.

https://www.gov.uk/topic/mot/manuals

https://www.gov.uk/importing-vehicles-into-the-uk

The rules on VAT (GST) and import duty are different if you are moving home.

Edited by gareth_r on Tuesday 5th October 16:35

[Gareth9702]

If you are moving back to the UK from Australia then you pay no import duties on household items. This includes cars, bikes, and boats. You need to complete the form available on the HMRC website. This requires a comprehensive list of the items you are shipping plus evidence you are ricating. This should be submitted at the time your items are shipped.

[mattlacey]

Thanks all - I think I'm good on the tax front since this is all our property and stuff we've owned a while. Just couldn't find the the process for the bike. I suspect a few stickers to convert to mph (or maybe a second digital speedo) will do for the MOT side of things.

That Honda sounds like it was probably one of the old CBR250RR's.... another inline 4 250, though with a bit more power than my Suzuki. That was a full on 'go fast' bike, my Suzuki is referred to as a 'sports tourer' even though it's much to small for that, because it has integrated storage. Still, revs to 17,500 so can't complain

[Google [bot]]

carinaman said:

I think someone on PH imported the JDM motorcycle(s) they'd riden into Australia, or possibly NZ, into the UK when they returned to the UK.

I think it was a mini Fireblade type motorcycle with a fancy swing arm, but I could be wrong. My memory is definitely saying 'HRC' and red, white and blue.

Yes it was AceOfHearts and it was a pair of CBR250RRs. He posts regularly and posted them I think yesterday in the Picture a day biker banter thread. I think he may have posted in a thread about the process.

Found this https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Edited by Google [bot] on Thursday 7th October 01:35

[mattlacey]

Thanks! Good to know and have this stuff to hand.

Also planning to bring my car over, which again is > 10 years old so hopefully reasonably smooth. Insurance an petrol won't prove cheap, but hey.