How do you import a motorbike from Spain to the UK?

Which Spanish documents come with the bike?

Spain uses two papers where most countries use one. The DGT, Spain's traffic authority, says every vehicle needs a Permiso de Circulación and a Ficha Técnica (also called the Tarjeta ITV) to be on Spanish roads. The Permiso is the document that "identifica la titularidad", it shows who owns the bike. The Ficha Técnica, issued by the ITV inspection stations, shows the bike is approved to run on Spanish roads and carries its technical data. Ask the seller for both originals, together with the factura from a dealer or a signed contrato de compraventa from a private seller.

DVLA asks for the original foreign registration certificate to show when the vehicle was made, and keeps it. The official pages do not say which of the two Spanish papers DVLA keeps, so photograph both before anything is posted.

What can the Permiso de Circulación tell you before you buy?

More than its name suggests. The DGT says that since 2015 the Permiso includes two extra details: the vehicle's recorded mileage and the date its ITV runs out. On a bike first registered from 2015 onwards, check that the mileage on the Permiso is not higher than the one on the dashboard, and that the frame number on both Spanish papers matches the one stamped on the bike. That frame number is the one that goes on the customs declaration, NOVA and the DVLA application.

How much does a motorbike from Spain cost in UK tax?

Work it out from the price in euros, converted at HMRC's monthly rate: for October 2026, £1 = €1.1665. As an example, a bike bought for €6,500 is £5,572.22. Add £450 for transport (an example, not a typical price) and the value for customs is £6,022.22.

Example: €6,500 bike from Spain, £450 transport (October 2026 rate)

VAT is worked out on the value plus any duty, so it rises when duty applies. Spanish IVA paid to the seller does not cancel the UK import VAT. Full rates in our duty and VAT guide.

Is a bike bought in Spain duty free?

Only if it was built in the EU and you can prove it. The UK Trade Tariff gives 0% as a preference for goods originating in the European Union, so the factory counts, not the Spanish plates. A bike built in Japan, the USA or Thailand and sold in Spain pays 6% or 8%. The importer needs the exporter's statement on origin or their own knowledge that the bike is originating; gov.uk also allows a claim after import, within 3 years. Send us the frame number before you pay and we look at the origin side.

Does a Spanish bike need approval in the UK?

Under 10 years old and first registered in the EU, gov.uk asks for a European Certificate of Conformity. Because the bike was built for riding on the right, it also needs a headlamp that dips to the left and a speedometer in mph. The routes are GB conversion IVA from the VCA (£100) or a Partial MSVA from the DVSA (£12), and the official pages do not say which DVLA prefers: ask us before you choose. Over 10 years old, the VCA's motorcycle form says the bike is exempt from its procedure and points you to DVLA. We obtain the Certificate of Conformity if you need one. More in our MSVA and approval guide.

Is a Spanish ITV the same as a UK MOT?

No. The ITV is Spain's roadworthiness inspection and it has no value in the UK. A bike over 3 years old needs a UK MOT before DVLA will register it; the maximum fee for a motorcycle is £29.65 on gov.uk. Before registration the bike may go on a public road only to a pre-booked MOT or approval test.

Can you ride a Spanish registered bike in the UK?

Not if you live here. DVLA's import leaflet INF106 says: "If you're a UK resident you must not drive a vehicle displaying foreign number plates", and advises transporting the vehicle from the port rather than riding it, and keeping it off the road until it is registered, taxed and insured. If you are moving from Spain to live in the UK, our guide to bringing a bike back or moving with it covers the relief that may apply.

What happens after the bike arrives?

HMRC must be told through NOVA, the Notification of Vehicle Arrivals within 14 days, with the invoice if you bought the bike in the last 6 months. If you bought it longer ago, gov.uk asks instead for a current valuation carried out in person in the UK by a garage, dealership or other recognised business. DVLA registers the bike only once NOVA is processed and the VAT and any duty are paid; then come the £55 fee, the vehicle tax and a V5C that can take up to 6 weeks.

Deregistration in Spain, any export plates and the export paperwork are handled by the seller. If you need it, we arrange the transport to the UK, and we handle the customs declaration, NOVA and registering the bike with DVLA.

What we do for you

Before you pay, send us the advert, the frame number and photos of the Permiso de Circulación and the Ficha Técnica. We tell you what the UK side involves for that bike. We lodge the customs import declaration, work out and pay the VAT and any duty, and submit NOVA, and we prepare each DVLA form, including the V55/5: you just sign and post. We do not test or modify bikes, and we do not buy, sell, inspect or recommend them.

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