How much is motorcycle import duty in the UK?

What are the duty rates by engine size?

These are the third country rates in the UK Trade Tariff for motorcycles (heading 8711), read on 03/10/2026:

You may read online that bikes pay a flat 10%. The tariff lines for motorcycles show 6% or 8%. The cars rate is not the bike rate.

When does the 0% rate apply?

The tariff shows a 0% preference for goods from, among others, the European Union, Japan, Switzerland, Norway, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and India (India from 15/07/2026). Two conditions apply. The bike must have been made in that country, where it was made and not where you bought it, and you must be able to prove it. A bike bought in Germany but built in Thailand does not qualify.

What document proves Japanese origin on a used bike is not set out in the sources we have read. Treat 0% as a claim that needs proof, and we check the paperwork before you buy.

Which countries have no preference?

The tariff shows no preference row for the USA, Thailand, China, Taiwan or Brazil. A bike made in any of them pays 6% or 8%, according to its engine size, whatever the brand. For more on the American route, see importing a motorcycle from the USA.

How is import VAT worked out?

VAT is 20%. gov.uk says it is charged on the total cost of the vehicle plus accessories bought with it, delivery and extra charges, and customs duty. So duty raises the VAT bill.

Two illustrations, using made-up round numbers. They show how the rules combine, not a price for your bike. For simplicity the value for duty is the same as the VAT starting figure, which HMRC's valuation rules may change.

If the 700cc bike qualified for 0% with proof of origin, the duty would be £0 and the VAT £2,100.

What about collectors' bikes?

A lower rate exists for collectors' motor vehicles. The tariff note for heading 9705 lists three conditions, all of which must be met: the vehicle is in original state without substantial changes to chassis, body, steering, braking, transmission, suspension or engine, it is at least thirty years old, and the model is no longer in production. Meeting them shows 0% duty and 5% VAT on the collectors' line.

Here is the open question. The note says "motor vehicles". Motorcycles are motor vehicles, but heading 9705 does not name them. So we confirm the bike case before promising 5% or 0% on a bike. Forty years is the figure for the MOT exemption, not for duty or VAT.

When do you not pay?

Some reliefs exist. gov.uk describes Returned Goods Relief for a bike you owned in the UK and are bringing back yourself, Transfer of Residence relief if you are moving to the UK, and temporary import with no VAT or duty for visitors. Each has conditions. See bringing your motorbike back or moving with it.

What we do for you

We look at the make, model, year and where the bike was built before you pay, and tell you which rate we expect to apply and what proof the 0% would need. We then make the customs import declaration and work out and pay the import VAT and duty, submit NOVA and prepare the DVLA forms: you just sign and post.

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