Security deposit/bond payable on arrival in EU?
 

The last time I shipped a motorcycle to Germany it was registered in the UK and so I haven't encountered the following before.

This time I am shipping my US registered bike with the intention of riding it back to the UK and importing it. I am a UK Citizen.

I have received a document from Wallenius Willheim (Shipping Co) in Bremerhaven entitled 'HOW TO PICK UP YOUR VEHICLE'.

It mentions having to deposit a 'Security Amount' at German customs of approx 30% of the vehicles value.

Does anybody have any experience of this?

Any info would be a help.

Cheers

Adam

This is covered by a Carnet, it is basically saying that you will remove the bike from the country and won't sell it, 30% is cheap, some countries want 450% deposit, you get it back once the bike is exported

I've shipped several bikes to europe (twice to germany) in the last few years, & have never been asked to put up any deposit.
I'd ask a bit more as to why they want one.
Dont tell them you are importing it, just that you are riding around on a trip.

Doug

Update...
 

Thanks for your post guys.

Strom - Carnet not reqd for Europe: http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...n-europe-40160

Doug - Might see you in the spring :thumbup1:

When a suitable replacement bike turned up for sale just 15 miles from my home town in England I decided to sell my US bike and buy the one in the UK.
I'm approx U$800-1200 better off and will commence the next leg of my travels on a bike with 80,000km less on the clock. As sad as I was to wave goodbye to my beloved DR it was the right decision.

Thanks to all who posted.

You don't need a Carnet for Europe. If anyone asks for a security deposit on entering the Eurozone its a hoax, don't pay!

(I'm on Australian plates and have entered and left Europe about 7 times without a carnet so I know the deal.)

Feel free to look us up if you are coming by Switzerland.

Absolutely true that you don't need a Carnet for Europe.

It's no longer an absolute "hoax" about security deposit.
The original poster is referring specifically to vehicles entering
the Eurozone by seafreight at the German ports of Bremerhaven (or Hamburg).

Starting this past year, German Customs has apparently started to impose
a "security deposit" of 30% of vehicle value on foreign-registered vehicles,
even if the owner declares that it is a "temporary" import for tourist purposes.
The security deposit is "returnable" when leaving Germany.
The security deposit is imposed by German Customs only on seafreighted vehicles entering at Bremerhaven or Hamburg seaports.

This is a new/ recent development; and it is not clear why or on what authority German Customs is imposing this security deposit at Bremerhaven or Hamburg, but not at other entry points. For example, if you enter your personal vehicle by airfreight at Frankfurt airport, no "security deposit" is imposed; and, if enter Germany across any land border crossing, no security deposit is imposed.

No one has reported that any other Eurozone country/ sea or airport is imposing this security deposit--only German Customs at Bremerhaven and Hamburg seaports.