Which UK import specialist should you use for a motorbike, and who for anything else?
For a motorbike or scooter, use a specialist that works on two-wheelers, because the duty rates and the approval route are not the ones for a car. For another vehicle, the better fit is the specialist for that vehicle: The Classic Import Co. for cars and classics, Motorhome Import for motorhomes and campers, Cars Import UK for any vehicle with transport and inspection abroad, and Bassett Valuations when you need a valuation rather than import paperwork. They have different specialisms; none is better than another.
- Motorbike or scooter: Motorbike Import, which is us.
- Car or classic: The Classic Import Co.
- Motorhome, camper or RV: Motorhome Import.
- Any vehicle, plus transport or an inspection abroad: Cars Import UK.
- An independent valuation: Bassett Valuations.
Not sure how this applies to your bike? Get a price for your bike and we tell you what applies.
What is the same for any vehicle?
The order of the steps. GOV.UK says a shipping company or customs agent makes the import declaration for a private importer, and VAT and any duty are paid at the border. You tell HMRC within 14 days of arrival with NOVA, get approval if the vehicle needs it, then register it with DVLA for £55. GOV.UK says you can be prosecuted if you use the vehicle on a public road before those steps are done, unless you are driving it to a pre-booked MOT or approval test.
What makes a motorbike different?
Three things. The duty: the UK Trade Tariff lists 8% up to 250cc and 6% above, not the 10% that applies to a car, with 0% only for a bike made in a country with a UK trade deal and with proof of origin. The approval: a two-wheeler that is not registered in the EU uses MSVA, not IVA, and GOV.UK treats a bike under 10 years old differently from an older one. And the registration papers: DVLA wants the original foreign registration certificate, which it does not give back. Our step by step guide puts these in order, and we handle the declaration to customs, VAT and duty, NOVA and the DVLA forms for motorbikes and scooters.
Send the make, model and year and we start from there.
Which specialist for a car or a classic?
The Classic Import Co. focuses on cars and classics. A used car pays 10% duty as standard, and a classic at least 30 years old, original and no longer in production can qualify for 0% duty and an effective 5% VAT. For a classic motorcycle the rules are close but not the same, so our classic motorcycle guide is the place to start.
Which specialist for a motorhome or camper?
Motorhome Import focuses on motorhomes, campers and RVs. Weight is the main difference: a motorhome plated over 3,500kg needs C1 on the driver's licence, which does not come up with a bike.
Which specialist for any vehicle, transport or an inspection abroad?
Cars Import UK handles the import of any vehicle and also arranges transport and logistics and in-person inspection of a vehicle abroad before you import it. If you are buying a bike you have not seen, or you want the shipping organised with the paperwork, it is the broader option.
When do you need a valuation instead?
Bassett Valuations writes independent valuation reports for situations such as HMRC, DVLA registration, insurance, probate and divorce, including for motorcycles. A valuation is an opinion of what the bike is worth. It is not the customs declaration, NOVA or the DVLA side of it, so it sits next to an import rather than replacing one.
What we do for you
If your vehicle is a motorbike or scooter, send us the make, model, year, engine size and where it is, and we tell you what the UK side involves before you pay. 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. We do not test, approve or modify bikes, and we do not buy, sell, inspect, tax or insure them.
Quick answers
Do I need a motorbike specialist for a bike?
Not by law: the steps are the same for every vehicle. A specialist that handles bikes every week knows the duty bands, the MSVA route and the paperwork DVLA asks for on a bike.
Which specialist imports any type of vehicle?
Cars Import UK handles the import of any vehicle and arranges transport and inspection abroad.
Is a valuation the same as an import service?
No. A valuation report is an independent opinion of value, not the customs declaration, NOVA or DVLA paperwork.
Which should I ask first if I am not sure?
Any of them can tell you whether the vehicle is theirs to handle. Send the make, model, year and where the vehicle is.
Official sources, checked on 3 November 2026: gov.uk/importing-vehicles-into-the-uk · trade-tariff.service.gov.uk/api/v2/commodities/8711301000 · gov.uk/vehicle-approval/motorcycle-single-vehicle-approval · gov.uk/importing-vehicles-into-the-uk/registering-an-imported-vehicle · gov.uk/guidance/how-to-value-goods-for-import-vat · gov.uk/driving-licence-categories