Howdy,

I was looking into this a few weeks ago since I'm planning to take up a job offer in Sydney and in a couple of years time ride an Australian registered bike back to the UK. If you declare it at point of entry into the EEC under the 'Transfer of Residence' scheme (I assume you're returning to the UK after having spent time in oz and will remain in the UK) then there are no import duties or taxes. However, you're not allowed to sell it for a year. There's info on HM Revenue & Customs: Home Page (look under 'Library' on LHS, 'Publications & Notices', 'Imports/Exports and then the 2nd item - Public Notice No. 5) about the transfer of residence duty exemption.

If the bike was more than 3 years old you could ride it and if stopped say you were taking it for an MOT (apparently), although probably not a good idea. You'll have to get it checked out for road worthiness in the UK but if it's a common make then it shouldn't be a problem . Apparently, you are able to just cover up the Km/hr with a mph sticker. You'll need to contact the VOSA (Vehicle Operator Servcie Agency) on 0870 6060440 to get the vehicle checked out for UK roads. Once you have this then you can get it re-registered and do the rest of the gubbins. You'll probably need to have it registered before you can get it insured though.

Good Luck

Hi George - this is good information (I presume!) - do you know if that year before selling is from the original date of entry, or the date you do the paperwork?

My XR will have been in the UK for a year (off and on) when I get back in the new year, and it would be nice to have the option to register it without GB taking his chunk.

Also, is the scheme only for commonwealth countries, or for any country outside the EU?

I'm sure this info is available on the weblink/via a phone call - just wondering if you had those answers to put here too though?

Many thanks,

Jenny xx

Ah, just had a look at the website, and I think I've answered my own questions:

5.1 Can I get relief from duty and tax on transfer of residence?
Yes. You can bring in your belongings or vehicle free of duty and tax so long as you:

are moving your normal home to the EC
have had your normal home outside the EC for a continuous period of at least 12 months
have possessed and used them for at least 6 months outside the EC before they are imported
did not get them under a duty/tax free scheme (but see paragraph 5.2)
declare them to us as explained in paragraph 3.2
will keep them for your personal use and
do not sell, lend, hire out or otherwise dispose of them in the EC within 12 months of importation, unless you notify us first and pay duty and VAT on disposal. Our National Advice Service can tell you how to do this.

Unfortunately, my main address is still in the UK, and I have not been outside the EC continuously for 12 months... Also, I wonder if they would consider NFA as your 'normal home'? It's certainly worth others who have been away for a year or more considering this...

xxx

I've also been looking into this, tempted to ship my trusty DRZ-400 back home once I've finished riding around here in Oz. From what i had gathered it will cost about $500 to ship it home (with some extra charges once in the UK) and then would have to go through the SVA and tax etc.

Didn't know about the Duty & Tax exception which is pretty cool as I will of been out of the UK for 12 months and owned the bike more or less exactly 6 months

This Guy shipped his UK bike from Sydney to London back in March? 2008 and gives some idea on the shipping aspect.

[quote=JMo (& piglet);209606]Hi George - this is good information (I presume!) - do you know if that year before selling is from the original date of entry, or the date you do the paperwork?

My XR will have been in the UK for a year (off and on) when I get back in the new year, and it would be nice to have the option to register it without GB taking his chunk.

Also, is the scheme only for commonwealth countries, or for any country outside the EU?

Hi Jenny,

I believe that it's from original date of entry into the country...obviously if I take a year to ride the bike back then arguably I could sell it immediately upon arrival back to the UK.....which is what the authorities are trying to stop you from doing (you get the exemption on account that you're going to use it for transport upon arrival).

Again, my enquiries seemd to suggest that it's for any country but do please check for yourself since I was discussing an Aussie registered bike bit the responses to my enquiries seemd to be general.

Good luck

GeorgeZ

Well I had the bike SVA inspected at the VOSA on friday and it only failed on one thing- the headlight didn't have a bloody 5w running light in it... Even the Staintune exhaust passed the noise test.

For the speedo, I had to prise off the glass and rim on the speedo to get into it. I'd actually bought a replacement Mph dial for the speedo but it was just a little too large and when trying to shave it down a little, it broke in half (!) so I ended up putting a bit of black tape over the 'k' on the km/h and it wasn't questioned. I'll add 30,40,50 etc stickers etc on to it soon. I'll need that for the MOT anyway but its only 2 years old so doesn't need one just yet.

Anyway, the really annoying thing is that they want to inspect it again which means another trip through to Glasgow from Edinburgh and a 2nd test fee of £16 just to check this bulb has been fitted!! I thought I would get Saltire Suzuki install the new bulb and get them to fax confirmation of this to the test centre but they were having none of it as they just said, 'well your mate might work there' and wasn't acceptable. Grrr...

Also, until its registered, you can only get a maximum of 30 days insurance as a UK resident (or at least thats all Carole Nash are prepared to give).

Regarding declaring the bike on bringing it into the UK, I tried asking at Dover as soon as I got off the ferry. I explained where the bike was from and whether I needed to declare it but was told it wasn't necessary... and then they told me I'd better put my helmet on before the cops stopped me...

__________________
Mike


www.singapore-scotland.blogspot.com
www.argentina-alaska.blogspot.com
My little Vid: India/Pakistan

BMW R1150GS
Suzuki DR650 SE: Ride it like ya stole it. Oh, somebody just did...

Heh sounds dodgy

What paperwork is needed to get your Ozzie bike over there? I think when I'll be sending mine over I'll be 10days out of Rego so hoping they don't care about that but not sure what they would want.

Receipt for the bike? Bah I really should of been more organized with my paperwork but its a bitch when living out of a bag

I'm a UK resident if it makes any difference when sending stuff home.

Nothing dodgy about it, just rules, proceedures and general hassle unfortunately. I'd keep hold of your receipt, I think it will be needed when registering it here. Don't worry about the Rego running out, mine ran out in Iran or someplace. It was never questioned anyway because you only ever use the carnet at borders. Except in Turkey where I didn't use the carnet but the very tattered Rego paper but had no problems.

Enjoy living out that bag!

__________________
Mike


www.singapore-scotland.blogspot.com
www.argentina-alaska.blogspot.com
My little Vid: India/Pakistan

BMW R1150GS
Suzuki DR650 SE: Ride it like ya stole it. Oh, somebody just did...

I would ask them to re-check the regulations - since 2003 all bikes in the UK have come with headlights on permanent dip beam (no on/off switch) like the rest of Europe - therefore there is no need to have 'side light' running lights, as these would be ineffectual compared to the 55w dip beam?

As I understand it, as long as you have a switchable 55/60w dip/main beam light that has a DoT approved lens (and the correct dip pattern for right hand drive) it should pass Construction and Use?

xxx