How can I export a Honda CT125 motorcycle from Thailand to the UK?

motorcycle export import regulations UK registration Honda CT125 Thailand to UK shipping import taxes vehicle registration customs duties

Jun 27, 2024

5 months ago

Simon **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

Has anyone ever tried to export a motorcycle from Thailand and import it into the UK?  The Honda CT125 is not available in the UK and a family member is asking if I can help out.

For clarity, specialist importers are offering the bike in the UK at 2.5x the price here in Thailand.

If you don’t know, and/or have nothing valuable to contribute please refrain from commenting.

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TLDR : Answer Summary

This post discusses the process and considerations for exporting a Honda CT125 motorcycle from Thailand to the UK. Contributors share their experiences and outline key steps, such as obtaining shipping quotes, understanding import duties and taxes, and navigating UK registration requirements. Notably, if the motorcycle has been owned for six months in Thailand, import taxes may not apply. However, there are costs associated with shipping, insurance, and potential registration procedures that require compliance with UK standards.

Mark *******

Jesus, just buy a bike in the UK

4 months ago

Simon **********

ORIGINAL POSTER

@Ma**

read it again, slowly.

4 months ago

Reply to

Simon **********

Paul *********

There are people in the UK that can help with Nova forms to reregister here.

4 months ago

OK ***************

My advise and the cheapest way is to disassembled the whole bike and send separately. Engine is 1 shipping and the other parts another shipping. I did this before but not UK.

4 months ago

Charlie ********

*************************************************

4 months ago

Thehoodyguy *************

Pretty straight forward get a quote for shipping and then you have to register it with the min of tran they will issue a reg plate for it but will be on a Q plate not much in import duty to be fair but registration costs a couple of hundred pounds plus will require it to go to an min of trans mot station for the Q plate to be issued

4 months ago

Charlie ********

@Thehoodyguy ************

not wanting to start an argument or a long thread here but my understanding is a Q plate is only issued now if there is doubt about the history of a vehicle. If you have documents to prove its age and legitimacy then the likely outcome is when registered you are issued with an “age related plate” ie one that equates to year of manufacture. Granted I’ve never imported a vehicle but I have looked into it and have owned several Japanese imports which were all on “age related plates”. Maybe your experience is different.

4 months ago

Thehoodyguy *************

@Charlie *******

no argument here my friend it’s possible they now issue such a plate as an alternative to the Q plate it’s a few years since I imported

My experience was as I stated however we know things change and age related plates makes them easier to sell on once you have had the use you required but the import process remains

Pretty much the same . Have a great day

4 months ago

Reply to

Thehoodyguy *************

Andy **********

Like importing a car. Costs getting to the docks and boxed up (FOB); unless you are sharing a container, that will be expensive. Shipping costs. Shipping insurance at 7% of FOB+Shipping. Duty based on all that, VAT based on that plus duty. Then in the UK, you need to pay to get it out of the docks, £100-200. For Bikes, the duty is 8% or 6%, depending if its above or below 250cc. As the bike is under 10 years old, you need a SVA, and for that you need a model report to show how that imported bike meets UK standards by being the same as the UK spec. This will narrow the price difference a bit. At the end, you will still have a grey import bike that will need to be declared as such for insurance purposes, and costing twice as much to insure, and half the value.