Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Trip Paperwork
Please help!! Biking in Korea Please help!! Biking in Korea
Register FAQ Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Trip Paperwork Covers all documentation, carnets, customs and country requirements, how to deal with insurance etc.
Photo by Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Ellen Delis,
Lagunas Ojos del Campo,
Antofalla, Catamarca



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 1 Feb 2008
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: UK/Korea
Posts: 3
Please help!! Biking in Korea
I want to take my VMax to Korea. I am going to be there for over 12 months.

Shipping is not a problem. Got that one sorted. But what about duty at customs in Korea? Are they likely to want a cut?

And insurance?! I think UK insurers will only insure for a limited period. But will a Korean insurer cover a UK registered bike?

Oh my God! Does anyone have an answer?!!

Any help would be fantastic guys!!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 3 Feb 2008
Grant Johnson's Avatar
HU Founder
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 1997
Location: BC Canada
Posts: 7,226
Duty - The international travel basics -

The important thing to understand is the difference between a visitor passing through and a resident. If you're a visitor there is no import duty, if you're a resident then you have to pay the full import duties and make sure the bike complies with local regs.

so, NO need to pay duty in ANY country ANYWHERE if:

Your stay is within their max duration for a visitor - and you're not going to be RESIDENT.

However,
If you're a visitor they WILL want either a carnet, or they may have a standard visitors form you have to fill out which usually has a very small fee. I don't know which - IF they want a carnet you'll have to get one, if not, you'll need to find out what their standard VISITOR procedure is.

Carnet information is on the Paperwork page under Planning on left menu - read that, then Contact Paul Gowen at the RAC - contact details on the links page, link on left - for details on carnet for Korea.

Insurance - that's a whole different game - good luck - let us know what you find out! Your UK insurer will NOT cover you there.
__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
------------------------
Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 6 Feb 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: West Virginia, USA
Posts: 33
I know in Japan, if you import a vehicle as a temporary resident, it needs to be registered with the Land Transportation Office. They issue special plates denoting "Import Tax not Paid" in this instance. Obviously you have to remove your vehicle when you leave the country or else pay the import tax. Of course nobody in practise does this because bikes are plentiful in Japan, there would be no reason at all to bring in your own unless you are really in love with your bike and you can't find that model in Japan.

I would ask the Korean LTO if they have something similar. Or at least see if they will accept a vehicle with UK plates in their country for 12 months. You will need to find someone who can speak Korean.
__________________
Better to be an idiot than a crook.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 6 Feb 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Wales UK
Posts: 284
try this
Scrumpy.
We came through Korea last year.
Deal as a tourist is . . . . . . . .
90 days maximum entry for you and vehicle.
Need to pay 'deposit' to ensure vehicle exits country. (this is based on replacement NEW value of vehicle, but it is negotiable, they wanted $2000 from us we settled at $1000. This was fully refunded upon exit)
You need to purchase Korean insurance at point of entry, cost based upon vehicle, we had to pay approximately $100 per month (expensive!).
Carnet is not recognised in South Korea.

A very ( VERY ) good contact is Wendy Choi, she works for the shipping agent we used, speaks excellent English, very nice lady, friendly and ever helpful in any way. Good (and low price) shipping agent.
I am sure if you contact Wendy, tell her you a friend of Philip & Angela she will make further enquiries for you and help if she can.

her personal email is : WendyChoi2 'at' Gmail.com

Korea is an easy country to get extended visits to, I do not think you will have a problem for that. But, they do not get many tourist vehicles and so that maybe more difficult to arrange and probably expensive.
Perhaps, store on sell bike and just buy another in Korea for the duration of your stay??? may work out cheaper.

Phil.

www.travel.uklinux.net
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 7 Feb 2008
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Golden, CO USA...on the road since Sept 2005
Posts: 343
I was in South Korea Nov 2007. I simply bought insurance for the bike at my port of entry (Sokchow). It was painless. I did have to sign a document promising to take my bike out of Korea within a certain time period. I believe I used a credit card to make the guarantee. The insurance was fairly expensive, something like 15usd per day. There was other paperwork involved, it took several hours to complete everything. Fantastic people there, glad I went. H.
__________________
"And I think to myself, what a wonderful world..." L.B. Armstrong. www.davesgreatescape.net
http://www.facebook.com/inbox/readme...e&id=661274218
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 8 Feb 2008
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: RTW
Posts: 19
Korea-import duty-insurance
Hi Scrumpy Jack,

I will also be shipping my bike to Korea in March for the second leg of RTW trip.
Looking at HUBB many guys got their bikes temporarily imported with refundable deposit and insured without too much hassle. You may look up recent posts (last 2 years)from Lars, Brett Dean, Phil Flanagan, MarkCh, Roadmason to name just a few.
I'm trying to find out if it's possible to leave the country with my bike left behind during the temporary import period becuse i need to fly out during the 90 days.

Any informations / suggestions appreciated...
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 27 Feb 2008
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: UK/Korea
Posts: 3
Biking in Korea...THANKS!!
Many thanks for all your replies guys!

All of the info was very helpfull and confirmed my suspitions that it may be easier to search for a decent bike when there. So now just got to find a dealer for Japanese bikes and not Hyosung!

Just logged on after several weeks, so sorry for the lack of response.

As the weeks progress I will let you know how I get on.

All the best to you!
S. Jack
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes
Linear Mode Linear Mode

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
How is motorcycling in Korea possible michael Route Planning 10 15 Sep 2011 15:09
Most embarrasing biking moment? Matt Cartney Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 37 10 Sep 2008 16:35
German BIkes not allowed in South Korea! Baikal Travellers' Advisories, Safety and Security on the Road 14 2 Jul 2006 04:36
Shipping Bike Into Korea Brett Dean Trip Transport 8 8 Jun 2006 22:46
ship to korea farry to japan? roadmason Northern and Central Asia 7 16 Jan 2006 22:56

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 19:49.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top