Bringing UK bike back to UK after a few years away

I bought a bike (XJR1300) in UK back in 2002, and a year later I
exported it to New Zealand when I moved there on a contract. In a few
months time I will be moving back to the UK (contract at an end), and I
need to know what sort of hassle I will have bringing the bike back? As
the bike was originally purchased in the UK, and so must be of UK spec,
I am hoping there won't be a problem, or anything to pay. However, I
am less than convinced. Anyone know if I will have to pay import duty,
VAT etc on bringing it back, and what hoops I will have to jump through
to re-register it. I seem to remember at the time I left the UK that I
de-registered it as a permanent export from the UK. Not sure if that
makes a difference. If it's going to be a great problem or expense to
bring it back, I will look into selling it here, but with Autumn rapidly
approaching here, it's not a great time to sell.

Cheers,

Mark

 

Thread hijack alert!

As I may possibly be heading out there in the next couple of months and
given that I really don't want to sacrifice my Triumph..... what did you
need to do to your UK spec bike to get it acceptable to the Canadian
provincial authorities? I spoke to a Triumph dealer in Ottawa recently and
was advised that headlights (£250!) and metric clocks would be necessary.
This appears to be only required if I head off as a Permanent Resident - if
I'm only in Canada on a work permit, I think I can get away with nothing!
Another couple of questions that have been preying on my mind: 1) how did
you actually ship the bike (and what were the costs)?, and 2) how punitive
was insurance (and did any UK NCB count?)?

Cheers

 

Andy Ashworth wrote

Not a problem, I am sure loads of folks round here would be only to
happy to help and then you will have all the incentive you need to go
and buy a proper motorcycle.

 

I'll be shipping it back with all the rest of my gear in a 20ft
(possibly 40ft) container - haven't decided on the company yet. They
crate up the bike, and stick it in the container. It's not cheap, but
it's better than being without the home comforts for a couple of years.
If you just wanted to move a bike then I'm sure any global removal
company could do it. You have to ensure that the bike is VERY clean,
drain the fuel tank and carb float bowls, and that's about it. Just
don't use Pickfords.

 

Thanks John - that's exactly what I wanted to hear. I still have the
original plate tucked away in the cupboard, so I hope to get it
re-registered under the same number.

Cheers,

Mark

 

Show a NATO travel order

*DING!* If you move permanently you can't take it with you unless it's
more than 15 yrs old. On temporary terms you're pretty much exempt from
Canadian standards


Another couple of questions that

Dunno, my employer paid it directly.

Very and no. It cost me $700 for third party only.

 

Bugger - my move would be for my civvy job and I'm going to have to give up
my service job; not that I could have wangled a draft to Canada through the
RNR anyway!

Unless the vehicle has been type approved for Canada, which thankfully the
Sprint ST has.

Hmmmm, MOD being generous with my money?

Ouch - I hear car insurance is high too. However, overall the "availablilty
of engineering jobs plus lower costs and better quality of life" argument is
eniough to swing the balance towards a semi-permanent move.

Cheers

 

I would check that again, if I were you. I'm fairly sure that Transport
Canada's website says that it can only be imported if the actual
machine was originally sold in Canada or the US. Bikes sold in other
markets...buggrit, I'm off to Google.


Ah, here we go http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/importation/impxus_e.htm

/"VEHICLES PURCHASED OUTSIDE CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES

The Motor Vehicle Safety Act and Regulations require that all vehicles
imported into Canada comply, at the time of importation, with the
Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards in effect on the date the vehicle
was manufactured. Vehicles manufactured for sale in countries other
than Canada and the United States do not comply with the requirements
of the Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Act, CANNOT be altered to comply and
CANNOT be imported into Canada. The only exceptions to this rule are
vehicles fifteen (15) years old or older as determined by the month and
year in which the vehicle was manufactured and buses manufactured
before January 1, 1971."/

So, although the model may have been type approved, your UK variant has
not. As far as I could see the differences are minimal (extra
reflectors, no headlight switch). All of which meant that I couldn't
sell my bike in Canada when I fancied a change. In fact I couldn't even
let a Canadian HAGM without the risk of confiscation.

 

Try NZ Express Co in Christchurch. Jaine Cunninghame (03 983 5820)
is the person I deal with.

They are excellent for full container loads or just crated goods.

Kind regards
Dave Milligan