Honda-SOHC
Other Stuff => Misc / Open => Topic started by: Laverda Dave on September 30, 2022, 07:41:32 PM
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Has anyone here ever exported a complete motorcycle to Japan? Are there export taxes to pay to our wonderful HMRC on used bikes and if there are does anyone know how much these are?
Are there any other restrictions that anyone knows of? I know someone who sold a Laverda to a guy in Australia and it was a minefield, he had to advise the bike might contain asbestos (in the gaskets) and as a result it was refused by the Australian authorities as he would be importing banned substances!
If anyone can steer me in the right direction (is that a motorcycle pun creeping in🙄) I would appreciate it👍.
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I just googled 'Export motorcycle from UK to Japan' and a raft of info came up. Brokers, companies specialising in just bikes and scooters and multinational multidrop shipping companies.
I think if it was me it would be stated as copper gaskets, no oil, no fuel, no battery, dry breaks the lot. Wouldnt want them to question anything that would possibly raise alarm bells.
bit of a dull read but there should be some useful gumph to have a go at Dave.
Get well soon mate ;)
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Lobo (Simon) exported all his bikes from UK to Australia not so many years ago. I think he did it via an agent. Simon may be able to advise more.
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Thanks both. I googled exporting a motorcycle and it doesn't appear I would be liable to pay any export tax as it's a used bike. All I need to do is to advise DVLA it is permanently exported. That's of course if it sells, always THE big question 😬.
James has also sent me some useful information.
Great site as always, you are all stars👍
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I've investigated this process for Japan albeit a few years ago, as we have a house there (my wife is Japanese).
The cost for a classic Honda was then around £1,600 for registration, compulsory insurance for road use and the "Shaken" inspection. Shipping is not included in this cost. The costs for a particular machine can be established by the shipping agent submitting the VIN and other details to their import facility in Japan. They can then determine eligibility and charges.
I do remember at the time that there was a clear cut - off point for manufacture (2004 I believe) after which the process became MUCH more expensive (around £6,000 for a typical motorcycle) due to the need to comply with more legislative requirements.
Do remember that if the bike is over 400cc then a special (and difficult to obtain) licence is needed to ride it (I think that the test failure rate is over 80% at first attempt, and very few establishments can offer the necessary training) and that spare parts for the larger capacity machines will probably need to come from outside of Japan, even if the machine was originally made there, as it probably was not offered to the domestic market.
From memory, it was also a requirement that the importer was entitled to residency in Japan.
In short, unless there are very strong reasons for taking a particular bike or car over, it's probably not worth it for your own use.
Of course, if you are selling the bike to a Japanese citizen, it might change everything!