importing bike - madness

Bluefoam

I want to have a bike in Ireland for when I return (sooner or later)...

I have a somewhat mad capped plan, but need to know if its possible... I live in the middle east at the moment and want to look into buying a bike during Ramadan, when almost everything becomes heavily heavily discounted. The plan is to register the bike, but keep it crated for six months before shipping it back to Ireland. Then (if I am correct) I won't have to pay vrt or customs tax when importing the bike...

Firstly, is this how the law works? How long is it safe to keep the bike in a crate? Even though I have had bikes in the past I don't have my license currently, will this pose any issues?

CJhaughey

Bluefoam wrote: »

I want to have a bike in Ireland for when I return (sooner or later)...

I have a somewhat mad capped plan, but need to know if its possible... I live in the middle east at the moment and want to look into buying a bike during Ramadan, when almost everything becomes heavily heavily discounted. The plan is to register the bike, but keep it crated for six months before shipping it back to Ireland. Then (if I am correct) I won't have to pay vrt or customs tax when importing the bike...

Firstly, is this how the law works? How long is it safe to keep the bike in a crate? Even though I have had bikes in the past I don't have my license currently, will this pose any issues?

0kms on the Odo will be a problem, you need at least 3000km to be considered a used vehicle not a new one.
Guidelines are here.

Bluefoam

Hmmm... I don't like the idea of raking up 3000km here. The vast majority of drivers are lunatics and don't know how to act on the road...

Wonda-Boy

Give the bike to a "lunatic" and they will rack up the miles for you.

RosieJoe

CJhaughey wrote: »

0kms on the Odo will be a problem, you need at least 3000km to be considered a used vehicle not a new one.
Guidelines are here.

Does this not relate to buying a used bike in a country where you are not resident. I thought you could bring in a bike/car if you've owned it and are living in the country where it's registered

Cuddlesworth

CJhaughey wrote: »

0kms on the Odo will be a problem, you need at least 3000km to be considered a used vehicle not a new one.
Guidelines are here.

I'm sure a quick google of the model you want to buy would show you how to fix the clock for when you have a engine change.

Would you save that much though? You would still have to pay import fees and VRT on bikes isn't much.

Interceptor

Bluefoam wrote: »

I have a somewhat mad capped plan,

Calculate what you are likely to save and compare it to the risks of something going wrong and see if it is worth it. You don't say where you are or what bike you are thinking of buying but for the sake of a grand, buy it here and know that it is right. Middle Eastern models are often different from EU models and you could end up with all sorts of hassle down the line - the more you spend or the more exotic it is, the more you will want a warranty.

Give more details and see what you think.

'cpt

Bluefoam

I'll see what the deals are like when Ramadan comes along... The bike would be a Triumph Bonneville.

Interceptor

Bluefoam wrote: »

I'll see what the deals are like when Ramadan comes along... The bike would be a Triumph Bonneville.

Have a look here for comparison prices and add ~€600 for VRT. I'd be interested to see what the savings are likely to be.

Heres one in Cork with 7k kms on it - barely run in and comes with a warranty from a reputable dealer.

positron

Why not just ride it from there to here. Buy the bike, get license, don't ride in crazy roads too much, and plot your route, plan well and ride.

Best way to rack up the required miles on the odo, and have a trip of a lifetime while at it.

Bluefoam

positron wrote: »

Why not just ride it from there to here. Buy the bike, get license, don't ride in crazy roads too much, and plot your route, plan well and ride.

Best way to rack up the required miles on the odo, and have a trip of a lifetime while at it.

Nice idea, unfortunatley:

• There are very few 'safe' roads in this region
• There are countries en-route with closed borders

two wheels good

RosieJoe wrote: »

Does this not relate to buying a used bike in a country where you are not resident. I thought you could bring in a bike/car if you've owned it and are living in the country where it's registered

Yes, I agree.
Are you changing residence?, i.e resident abroad and now moving to Ireland. Then you do not pay VRT - as long as you have owned the vehicle abroad (for a certain period) and you do not sell it in Ireland (for a certain period). Check Govt. website to see what those certain periods are.

If you satisfy these conditions I find it hard to believe the speedo reading will be an issue. But when I imported it was before they physically inspected the vehicle.
I'd also consider if there is a requirement for some sort of "certificate of compliance" as the vehicle is build for a region outside EU. I don't have any experience of dealing with this complication. I'd be interested to know though.

RosieJoe

Look here for information on Transfer Of Residence, this explains how you can be exempt from paying VRT. You might qualify for it depending on how long you are living abroad and how long you've had the bike for and can prove you are moving home permanently.


Edit: A bit more complicated when you read it. You may require fuel receipts, maintenance records and, even though they didn't mention it, some mileage up on the bike.

Wossack

You'll need to get some mileage on the bike alright. It needs to have been used outside the state for at least 6 months, and they'll look for some proof of that

galwaytt

Interceptor wrote: »

Heres one in Cork with 7k kms on it - barely run in and comes with a warranty from a reputable dealer.

I actually had a look at that on Monday - and it's gorgeous.

Eight Ball

Check on donedeal plenty of guys will "adjust the bikes/cars odometer for around 60 euro. Mate bought a 2012 Z1000 with only 1200 klms on it last year and got a chap to put the odo up to circa 7000 klms for the VRT part in the NCT centre. They will charge you VAT also if the bike has below 6000 klms on it and it would have been big money on that bike i think 1800 euro he told me on top of the VRT also. Just don't forget to change the odo back when finished.

CJhaughey

If I was buying a new bike and importing it, I'd make sure it was OK before I brought it back. It could be a lemon and importing a bike with no dealer warranty could be a big problem.
I'd ride the thing around at least to make sure it was OK, bringing it back in the crate and finding out it needs warranty work would be a balls.