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Did I slip through the cracks? Customs documents for a foreign motorbike in the EU. Did I slip through the cracks? Customs documents for a foreign motorbike in the EU.
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Trip Paperwork Covers all documentation, carnets, customs and country requirements, how to deal with insurance etc.
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Photo by Ellen Delis,
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Antofalla, Catamarca



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  #1  
Old 30 Sep 2009
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Did I slip through the cracks? Customs documents for a foreign motorbike in the EU.
I am driving a USA registered motorbike, and I entered the EU on the ferry from Tanger to Tarifa. In Spain, my passport was stamped in, and I asked the customs official if I needed documents stamped or issued for the motorcycle. He said I didn't need anything and waved me through. Now I'm in the UK and plan to return by plane from Dublin (probably) in about a month. I have been told by friends that I should've either had my carnet stamped in or gotten a temporary import when I entered Spain. Does anyone know what I can expect when I (or the freight forwarder I use) attempt to export the bike to the United States without any EU customs documentation?

Thanks,
Marcus
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  #2  
Old 30 Sep 2009
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I had the same experience when going from Tunisia to Sicily...no temporary import declaration for the moto.

I'm kinda curious why though.

Reimporting back into the US won't be an issue...IF your bike is US registered, and insured. You can renew your registration and insurance online for the US, BEFORE the bike arrives back in the US.
Anyways...welcome back!
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  #3  
Old 30 Sep 2009
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From the UK piont of view - (EU is probably the same) -

The UK does not require Carnets - so no problem on this point.

You are allowed to bring a foreign registered, personal, vehicle into UK, as a tourist, for a period (6 months?) without formality or even documentation other than proof of registration in your home country. Insurance will be a necessity though.

Did you ride through the Green (nothing to declare) or Red (something to declare, or a query) channel where you entered? If the latter, they would have advised you if you were doing anything wrong.

Therefore leaving UK, by any route/method, should be no problem.

Police, in road checks, can ask you to prove your right to ride a foreign registered bike, its legality as far as insurance etc, and that you are within the time limits.
They do this increasingly in London where it appears many "immigrant visitors" ride/drive vehicles far beyond the time limits, ignore parking rules/tickets and often without valid UK insurance. When they find them they CRUSH 'EM !! No question. No argument.

A straightforward visitor has nothing to worry about.
Enjoy all the UK has to offer - particularly 'proper' !
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  #4  
Old 30 Sep 2009
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thanks
Thank you both for the info. It is odd that the EU, with all of it's rules and regulations, would require at least some sort of documentation for a foreign vehicle upon entering the EU.
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  #5  
Old 30 Sep 2009
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tony P View Post
<SNIP>
A straightforward visitor has nothing to worry about.
Enjoy all the UK has to offer - particularly 'proper' !
Yes...you can't leave the UK without a taste of some bitter...preferably my favorite...old Speckled Hen.
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  #6  
Old 1 Oct 2009
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We arrived in Europe (Belgium) by ferry from Argentina. We too were surprised that we were not given any documentation for our bike. We left the region after a couple of months and were never asked for any temporary permit anywhere.
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  #7  
Old 1 Oct 2009
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This seems normal. Last year I rode into Finland from Russia and no docs were issued. I subsequently shipped out of Italy back to Australia without any paperwork issues.
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Old 1 Jan 2010
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leaving bike longer than 6 months
Flew our USA registered Trike to England in Sept of 2009. Left it in Austria and plan to return in Aug of 2010. This violates the 6 month rule,Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I should do to get a time extension? Di I need to request a time extension?Could I have trouble exporting the trike next year without one? I might consider leaving it in the EU for an extended period--what do I then need to do? Any feedback is greatly appreciated!
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Old 1 Jan 2010
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There is nothing anywhere to show when your vehicle entered Austria - presumably you used a road border which, as you found out, is non-existant apart from a sign saying Austria! The same all across Europe - the only exception being UK to France where all they look at is Passports as you entered the Schengen Area.

In your position, knowing how things are in UK, and presumably the same throughout the EU, I would just return, ensure insurance is still in place, and carry on with your plans unaltered!

If you are near a border it might be an idea to drive/ride across from time to time and get some proof of the vehicle being out of the country, such as a petrol receipt. A parking ticket even proves the actual vehicle went!!!!

The EU is not a country and as much as it likes to impose things everyhere, traffic laws and regulations are still left to individual countries and outside their control and 'harmonisation' - so far!!
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