Topic: Shipping costs to United Kingdom from US

[rhos1355]

Hi,
I've seen numerous bikes for sale in the "for sale" forum and I'm starting to wonder about the feasability of importing a cb750 from the States into the UK. Has anybody done this before? Is it worth it? What are the hidden costs? and the slipfalls?
Initially I was thinking about a "Spare parts" bike, but then I figured, nah, I'd be looking for a fairly "pukka" bike.
Any advice?

[troppo]

G`day Rhos
I`ve read about guys exporting bikes in the forums here, but dont know about the U.S to the U.K. I know Jonah (hope i got that right) imported one into Isreal from the U.S he may be able to help with shipping companies and an idea about costs.

[Buber]

Check the Dec2007 Classic Motorcycle mechanics - there's a story of a guy importing a small honda from US to UK.
And there are LOTS of companies in my place (Poland) importing 2nd hand bikes - mainly cruisers, and the general ballpark figure is 1000u$ to have it here. But - it's a ballpark figure.

[rhos1355]

Check the Dec2007 Classic Motorcycle mechanics - there's a story of a guy importing a small honda from US to UK.
And there are LOTS of companies in my place (Poland) importing 2nd hand bikes - mainly cruisers, and the general ballpark figure is 1000u$ to have it here. But - it's a ballpark figure.

Thanks Buber,
I guess there's a few importers here too, but I suspect they would want more than their pound of flesh to get a classic bike into the country. I was actually wondering if it would be cheaper to engage a shipper from the States to crate and send the bike here? And then I'd do all the paperwork for importation this side.

[andy750]

Ive done it both ways: USA (New Jersey) to UK (Southampton) and back again. Keep in mind this was in 2002 (going to the UK) and 2003 (going back to the US). Cost of shipping either way was roughly the same and cheapest method is roll-on-roll-off. No crating. This method is used most frequently and was safe for me both ways. Cost from New Jersey to Southampton was $700. A friend shipped his chopper 750 from New Jersey to Germany same method with no problems. To avoid paying import duty at Uk send it would help if you had owned the vehichle for more than 6 months. Otherwise you`ll pay import duty. Other costs on the Uk side were port fees (100 pounds? I dont recall exactly so worth calling and asking).

Wallenius Wilhelmsen ship most things but usually you have to go through a broker in the US. I went with them directly coming back from the UK to the USA. Both times I picked up the bike at the dock and rode it home. Bring a battery :-)

good luck
Andy

[rhos1355]

Ive done it both ways: USA (New Jersey) to UK (Southampton) and back again. Keep in mind this was in 2002 (going to the UK) and 2003 (going back to the US). Cost of shipping either way was roughly the same and cheapest method is roll-on-roll-off. No crating. This method is used most frequently and was safe for me both ways. Cost from New Jersey to Southampton was $700. A friend shipped his chopper 750 from New Jersey to Germany same method with no problems. To avoid paying import duty at Uk send it would help if you had owned the vehichle for more than 6 months. Otherwise you`ll pay import duty. Other costs on the Uk side were port fees (100 pounds? I dont recall exactly so worth calling and asking).

Wallenius Wilhelmsen ship most things but usually you have to go through a broker in the US. I went with them directly coming back from the UK to the USA. Both times I picked up the bike at the dock and rode it home. Bring a battery :-)

good luck
Andy

Andy, thanks. Just a couple of questions. is the ro-ro a dyi job or did wilhelmsen do that as well. I mean would I have to just pop up at the harbour with the bike and hand it over to wilhelmsen and then they do the rest or what?
The 6 month ownership is a good idea. But wouldn't I have to have a residential address in the States for the ownership papers? I pretty sure I could get a forum member to look after it for me during the 6 months waiting.

[troppo]

A good excuse for a holiday to the states rhos........
Buy it, ride it and then ship it home

[rhos1355]

Actually the holiday in the States sounds like a good idea. Also to cool the bad vibes coming from her indoors when she hears there's yet another bike joining the family fold. I've always fancied travelling around the States in a motorhome.

[troppo]

So there you go, a bit of planning, a lot of saving and an incredible amount of convincing and you have your american holiday and a brand new (3o ish year old bike) is yours mate.....
Just dont forget the pictures, we love pictures here remember lol

[andy750]

Rhos,

Ro-ro is done by the company. All you need to do it ride the bike/deliver it to the dock and leave it in their hands. You park it and walk away and hope that in 16 days (approx time for the crossing) the bike arrives in one piece.

One of the forum members here (Axl) came over from Munich, bought a chopper CB750 in LA and rode with myself and a few others across country on the SOHC EASY RIDER TRIP 2004 (www.easyridertrip.de) and then stored bike in my garage and then shipped it home.

A road trip in the US should be a must :-)

cheers
Andy

[rhos1355]

Rhos,

Ro-ro is done by the company. All you need to do it ride the bike/deliver it to the dock and leave it in their hands. You park it and walk away and hope that in 16 days (approx time for the crossing) the bike arrives in one piece.

One of the forum members here (Axl) came over from Munich, bought a chopper CB750 in LA and rode with myself and a few others across country on the SOHC EASY RIDER TRIP 2004 (www.easyridertrip.de) and then stored bike in my garage and then shipped it home.

A road trip in the US should be a must :-)

cheers
Andy

From the pics the road trip must have been MEGA cool. Thanks for the info. Will keep you posted. I s'pose now I've got a reason to finish my present project quicker than planned.
Now, where can I find a decent florist on my way home??

[rhos1355]

ok here's the update.
Got home yesterday and put it to the missus that I was thinking of flying off to the states sometime in the not too distant future to find and buy a cb750 and ride it to a east coast harbour to ship it.
She said it was ok if I got her a harley so she could ride along as well. I said I'll think I'll just stay at home. Where's that arsenic?
Women. Why do they always know how to dampen a guy's dreams?

[troppo]

Secret womens business mate, they learn it from their mothers and teach it to their daughters

[74cb750]

Darn, wish you had thought of this last year as I had a $100. Hardley-Davidson for her.
peace,
michel

[techy5025]

You might want to check into flying the bike. A lot of the adventure rider guys do this. I seem to recall one from Brazil to South Africa being about 800 bucks plus paperwork costs of course.

Jim

[cb750k7]

Hi
Sorry about the delay.

Yes.  I hauled a bike from US to Israel.

I am not sure if the info about my ordeal will be of help since the rules in Israel differ form UK,  but maybe the part regarding export from US still apply.

I did use the service of a shipping company that handled all that was needed ,  I will quote their service:

OUR SERVICE INCLUDES:


Building a special crate for the Motorcycle, Loading & Lashing into container.
Documentation.
Delivery to port of departure.
Handling of export formalities.
Loading on vessel.
Ocean freight to destination port.
.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

 

Customer  MUST supply a clean ( No liens) TITLE, for U.S. customs. – ORIGINAL ONLY!!!
The auto must be drained of  fuel.

The price varied from 525$ up to 2000$.

Take notice of all these paragraphs above,  each separate paragraph is a lot of $$$$$$$$ .  So when you contract a shipper do the above checklist.

Never the less,  the company did manage to damage my bike,  (broke the center stand)  and denied responsibly about it.

So if you are still interested in the shipper name,  I will send you a P.M.

Jona