Europe
What changes for a bike coming from the EU.
Good to knowEU-built bikes can qualify for 0% duty with proof of origin. VAT is 20%.
See the Europe guide Import guides
Motorbike import guides
Plain answers on duty and VAT, NOVA, approval and UK registration for imported motorbikes, built from GOV.UK, HMRC and DVSA pages.
16 GUIDES
New to this? Start here
Four guides to read first
The whole process, where your bike comes from, what you pay and the deadline you cannot miss.
Approval and paperwork
How to import a motorcycle to the UK
A customs declaration, NOVA within 14 days of arrival, approval if your bike needs it, then the DVLA.
→EuropeImport a motorbike from Europe
EU-built bikes can qualify for 0% duty with proof of origin. VAT is 20%.
→USAImport a motorcycle from the USA
No UK tariff preference for the USA, so duty is 8% or 6%, plus 20% VAT. The date of manufacture is often the real problem.
→JapanImport a motorbike from Japan
Japan-built bikes can qualify for 0% duty with proof of origin. VAT is 20%.
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Pick the topic for your question
6 topics, 16 guides. Each topic page lists every guide in it.
USA
What changes for a bike coming from the United States.
Good to knowThe USA has no UK tariff preference, so duty is 8% up to 250cc and 6% above.
See the USA guide 
Japan
What a bike from Japan needs on arrival in the UK.
Good to knowJapan-built bikes can qualify for 0% duty with proof of origin.
See the Japan guide Classic motorcycles
Bikes of 30 and 40 years or more, and the rules that can apply.
Good to knowThree different age rules apply, each with its own number: 30 years, 40 years and built before 1986.
See the Classic motorcycles guide 
Duty and VAT
What you pay at the border, and what it is charged on.
Good to knowVAT is charged on the bike, delivery and the duty itself.
See all Duty and VAT guides 
Approval and paperwork
The steps and papers between arrival and UK plates.
How to import a motorcycle to the UKMSVA test for imported motorcyclesNOVA for motorcycles, and what if you are late
Good to knowNOVA must be done within 14 days of arrival. Some bikes under 10 years old need a DVSA MSVA test.
See all Approval and paperwork guides Latest guides
Newest on the blog
Approval and paperworkDoes an imported motorbike pay the ULEZ charge?
Motorcycles must meet Euro 3 or pay a daily charge in London. TfL goes by declared emissions, not age.
Duty and VATBring a motorbike back to the UK, or move here with it
Returned Goods Relief, Transfer of Residence relief or a temporary import: which one fits your situation.
Approval and paperworkRiding an imported motorbike before it is registered
Not on a public road, except to a pre-booked MOT or approval test. Insurance is a separate question.
Approval and paperworkAn imported motorbike with no papers
What DVLA might accept if the foreign papers are missing, and when a bike gets a Q registration number.
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