Registering a Motorcycle Import

[Terikaia3]

Hi, new to the forum but need serious help. In 2012 I relocated back To the UK after working and living in the Middle East for many Years and shipped my personal belongings including my 1992 Harley Softail back to the UK. The shipping agent complied with the customs department requirements then and submitted a C104 customs clearance form for the Bike which was then cleared for entry. However although I have all the ownership documentation I did not receive any forms back from customs, I also believe that 2012 predates the NOVA scheme. So I now want to register the bike but am facing a minefield of different information. Does anybody know what I have to submit to DVLA to register it.

[AceOfHearts]

I had a similar issue registering a car that was imported pre NOVA. I just filled out the forms as best I could and included a letter explaining the situation with the application. They will write back telling you exactly what they want if that's not enough.

In my case it was actually pretty painless, but also due to the fact the car was almost worthless so they wouldn't have got much tax from it anyways.

[Pat H]

Get it MOT'd on the frame number. You may need MPH speedo markers and left dipping headlight.

Form V55/5 from Swansea.

Proof of date of manufacture so you get an age related plate. This is usually the log book from the country of origin, but can be a dating certificate from the owners' club.

Half the DVLA are off with Covid, so it might be a good time to do business with them.

[gareth_r]

Contact the HMRC Personal Transport Unit?

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-rev...

[V8RX7]

Just done similar - simply fill in an online NOVA form from HMRC

They sorted mine in a few days - I don't think I received anything, just an email telling me I could register it

I then sold it before actually registering it

Essentially they are looking to tax expensive cars not cheap bikes - mine was an Italian Import that was imported by someone else, that I bought 20 years earlier - reading between the lines they didn't even look at the paperwork after seeing it was an old bike

I'd add that HMRC were all very helpful too so if in doubt give them a call

[gareth_r]

I understood that you need the HMRC documentation showing that any duty and VAT have been paid in order to register an import.

Also, I believe there are different duty/VAT rules if you return to the UK after living abroad and import a vehicle that you have owned for a certain length of time (6 months?) - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/application-for-transf...

[CousinDupree]

gareth_r said:

Contact the HMRC Personal Transport Unit?

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-rev...

That's the one. I had to call them to check a pre-Nova bike, also a bike for which there was a typo on the Nova form. .PTU are on 03000 583020.

[Terikaia3]

Thanks everyone,I contacted HMRC vehicle team and they have agreed to issue a nova certificate if I email them a copy of the paperwork I already have or completed. Will post how I get in

[simonh9]

Has anyone imported a bike (or car) since January from Europe? The govt webpage just says the information on it is out of date (presuming they're re-writing once they've decided what the policy will be), but I heard it's a ballache and there are customs fees etc to pay, but no specifics about what the difficulty is,what the costs are and whether you can still do a NOVA, or whether any duty has to be paid at the port.

The bike I'm bringing over is only cheap and 37 years old - previously it would have escaped any duty, but there don't seem to be any rules listed now.

Thanks

Simon