How do you import a motorbike or electric bike from China to the UK?

Deregistration in China, 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 declaration to customs, NOVA and the DVLA paperwork.

What duty do you pay on a motorbike from China?

The UK Trade Tariff (read 14/10/2026) shows 8% third-country duty on scooters and bikes up to 250cc, and 6% above 250cc and on electric motorcycles. It lists no preference rate for China, so the 0% rates that apply to Japan or the EU do not apply. gov.uk says VAT of 20% is charged on the vehicle's total cost, plus delivery, extra charges and the customs duty.

Source: UK Trade Tariff, headings 8711 20, 8711 30 to 8711 50 and 8711 60, read 14/10/2026. Our guide to motorcycle import duty and VAT works the numbers through in pounds.

Does an e-bike from China pay anti-dumping duty?

Only a folding one. The UK has an anti-dumping duty on pedal-assist electric bicycles from China. A government notice published on 6 February 2025 says it now applies only to folding e-bikes, runs to 18 January 2029, and that for a non-folding e-bike the importer enters additional code 8100 on the declaration. The Trade Tariff shows code 8100 at 0%.

For a folding e-bike the rate depends on the exporter. The notice gives named companies their own rates, from 10.3% to 70.1%, and 62.1% for every other exporter. To get a named company's rate you need a valid commercial invoice with a signed declaration; without it the 62.1% applies.

The Trade Tariff also shows a countervailing duty line on the same pedal-assist codes, with a residual rate of 17.20% and the same 0% for code 8100. The gov.uk notice above covers anti-dumping only and does not mention a countervailing duty, so we do not give a total for a folding e-bike. Check the exact model and the exporter's name before you pay.

Is it an e-bike or a motorbike?

It depends on the bike, not on the label. gov.uk says an electrically assisted pedal cycle (EAPC) must have pedals that can propel it, a motor with a continuous rated power of no more than 250 watts, and a motor that cannot propel it above 15.5 mph. An EAPC needs no licence, registration, tax or insurance, and the rider must be 14 or over.

If the bike does not meet those rules, gov.uk says it is classed as a motorcycle or moped: it must be registered and taxed, the rider needs a licence and a motorcycle helmet, and it must be insured. A bike that can reach 15.5 mph without pedalling needs vehicle approval. Many off-road electric bikes sold online as "e-bikes" fall on the motorcycle side. Which approval route DVLA accepts for an off-road electric bike is not spelt out on the official pages, so that is a question to ask us before you buy. Our guide to enduro and electric off-road bikes covers what the official pages say.

Does a Chinese motorbike need an approval test?

If it is not registered in the EU and is under 10 years old, normally yes. gov.uk says a vehicle not registered in the EU needs Individual Vehicle Approval or, for a two-wheeler, Motorcycle Single Vehicle Approval (MSVA). DVSA lists £85 in working hours or £109 outside them for a motorcycle MSVA (DVSA fees, updated 20/08/2026). gov.uk says that if a vehicle was first registered or made more than 10 years ago, you might not need approval.

The test station does the test and a garage handles any changes; we handle the paperwork. See our MSVA guide.

What does DVLA want to see?

After the import declaration and NOVA, DVLA asks for the original foreign registration certificate "to show when the vehicle was manufactured", which you will not get back, so photograph it first. The V55/5 goes with the approval certificate, the £55 registration fee and the first vehicle tax, and gov.uk says to allow up to 6 weeks for the V5C. You can be prosecuted for riding on a public road before the import steps are done, unless you are riding to a pre-booked MOT or approval test. Our DVLA guide goes through the form.

What we do for you

We make the customs import declaration, work out and pay the import VAT and duty, submit NOVA for a private importer and prepare every DVLA form: you just sign and post. Before you buy, send us the make, model, engine size or motor rating, whether an e-bike folds, and the exporter's name, and we will tell you which duty lines apply and what the paperwork involves.

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