Greetings from the French Pyrenees

[matpp]

Hi All,
just bought a CB750K1 from Silverstone Auctions (now Iconic Auctions).....here's the link: https://www.iconicauctioneers.com/1970-honda-cb750-k1-rec12501-1-shuttle-0723?pn=1&el=20670&pp=100
Despite the auction details stating the bike is registered in Ireland and my phone call to Mark Bryan for verbal confirmation on the Friday pre-auction, they and their shippers are now saying I should pay 5.5% French import VAT. Over and above this here are Mark Bryan's remarks in his email: "Our vendor is saying the bike is registered in Ireland but we cannot verify that 100%. Moving Motorcycles have the Ireland registration paperwork with the other documents relating to the bike.
The fact is though, that regardless to where the bike is registered, the bike was sold in the UK and is being exported to the EU and is therefore liable to export duty.
The duty is circa £400 based on 5.5% of the selling price."
I've never heard so much tripe but maybe he's correct: could anyone enlighten me as I want to get the bike over to France without delay.
I used to have a CB750 many moons ago but in a far worse state than this 🤞. Please help as I feel I'm being ripped off! EU to EU should not be subject to import VAT.

[Matt_Harrington]

Welcome!

Maybe as it is being exported from the UK, this changes things.  I'd be tempted to hop on a train and ride her home!! 

BTW, if it is still registered in Eire, can you claim the import duty back??

[Nurse Julie]

Is it registered in Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland?

[matpp]

Sorry, should have elaborated: Republic of Ireland therefore EU

[Nurse Julie]

Sounds correct then. My friends in Crete buy bikes from Germany and still have to pay import duties /VAT even though both Germany and Crete are in EU. Are you sure it's VAT and not import duties?

[matpp]

I used to import numerous classic cars pre-#@%$.....never a problem....NOW?
It's VAT levied on historic vehicles (over 30 years old) at 5.5%. Anything less than 30 years old is now levied at 10% duty plus 20% VAT which equals 32% 😳.
Bloody Cameron then Bullshit Boris 🙄.....apologies for venting my anger!
Ha, I've just pressed preview and #@%$ comes up #@%$......is that word banned on this forum 😂....B R E X I T ......lets see what preview makes of that? It works!

[taysidedragon]

I used to import numerous classic cars pre-#@%$.....never a problem....NOW?
It's VAT levied on historic vehicles (over 30 years old) at 5.5%. Anything less than 30 years old is now levied at 10% duty plus 20% VAT which equals 32% 😳.
Bloody Cameron then Bullshit Boris 🙄.....apologies for venting my anger!
Ha, I've just pressed preview and #@%$ comes up #@%$......is that word banned on this forum 😂....B R E X I T ......lets see what preview makes of that? It works!

Yes. We hate it as much as you do! 😫

[matpp]

No one's commented on my new purchase 😳

[philward]

Welcome to the forum and I hope you get the import sorted positively - bike looks really nice by the way.

[Athame57]

Welcome here, and good luck with your problem my friend!
(ps... sorry about my avatar!  )

[Trigger]

Welcome to the mad world of the SOHC. Things may seem cheap at any auction but, add on all the bits and it is not so cheap anymore. Bike looks OK but, you will not know until it is up close and personal 

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Welcome to the sohc community, I know nothing about the 750 model pricewise - in the photos it looks nice cosmetically, judging by the dust in the photos in various nooks & crannies it has been standing for a while.

The restorers mentioned in the listing have a good reputation looking at online reviews albeit that was 10 years ago. It says in the description it may need some recommissioning. This is where you will find this site helpful.

I hope it exceeds your expectations when you have taken delivery, be good to get an update when you have ridden her. If it has been stored sympathetically in the years since the restoration you should have a very good bike.

[Johnny4428]

Hi Matpp, welcome to the forum. Good luck with your new purchase which looks like a nice bike. The price you paid for the bike would appear to be around the going rate! Let us know how you get on with taking it out on the road.

[MCTID]

Welcome to the sohc Forum Matt....I think you got fair warning TBH. When buying at Auction.....as always, 'Caveat Emptor' applies.

Quote:     
We encourage buyers outside of the UK to confirm any local tax, VAT or duty that may be payable upon purchase. i.e. 'Don't expect the Auctioneer to pay any taxes etc etc'.........because they won't !

I think you'll just have to cough up the dosh......and worry about it after, but I can't see you have a case for a refund.

Enjoy the bike.......if it is as good as they say, then you'll soon forget the 5.5% duty.

[matpp]

Thank you all for the welcome....😊

From what a can see, she's in excellent condition and totally original even down to the exhausts and the straight cut rear front mudguard. Brake master cylinder looks like it's been leaking. I've already bought oil, filters, plugs, master cylinder and hopefully after a good clean and fettling she be good to ride but may require a new battery 🤞. Already spoken to John Mossey of JCM Classics who in turn has contacted the previous owner who confirms the bike is still registered in Ireland.