Jason (whose Triumph was in SB1, Harley in SB2 and stunning race bike - visible if you click the Jason label below ) gets stuff done. He likes a bike, he buys it. It doesn't matter if it's in another continent. So we asked him to tell us how easy it is to import a flat tracker from the States to the UK or Europe. Here's what he wrote.
Pay attention this is importing information
Been browsing vft.org and dreaming of sliding that puppy you’ve been drooling over round sunny Scunthorpe? Well stop dreaming and start doing, it’s easy.
Contact the buyer and ask if they are willing to help out with the import. All they’ll have to do is strip the bike down. In the past I’ve requested that the engine is left in the frame, bolted/strapped to a pallet and everything else boxed up. Race bikes don’t have ownership titles, so shipping a whole bike requires lots of faff regarding proof of ownership. Shipping motorcycle parts is easy.
Be mindful of the spares that usually come with these bikes. Spares can expensive or worthless. A spares list will not elude to the worthiness, so ask. Usually all the broken crap which no longer works, comes free and isn't worth shipping.
I have always paid the whole amount up front by electronic transfer. This usually costs £26 at each end and gives great traceability, your bank can take U.S dollars from your sterling account. To carry out a transfer you’ll need, the sellers name and address, bank name and address and IBAN. IBAN stands for International Bank Account Number. This is their usual bank account and sort code numbers prefixed with a unique bank branch code. If the seller thinks you’re a scammer and won’t give you their details ask them to go to their bank and ask how to carry out the transfer, because they shift millions a day at no risk.
This obviously requires a huge amount of trust on your part. I’ve never had a problem and generally speaking it’s a close knit trustworthy community. If you have any doubts, don’t do it or perhaps try saying, “arh, you’re in Springfield, I’m planning a trip to Springfield very soon to watch my brother bare knuckle cage fighting”, this may help.
For shipping I use Unique Forwarding 01268 240890, who’ll collect from the sellers door and fly your motorcycle parts to the U.K and deliver to your door. West coast costs about £900 inc taxes, with the east coast a little less. You can save money with sea freight, but that’s just mean and takes up valuable riding time so don’t do it.
Money transfer is 3 days max, the airfreight door to door 3 to 4 days.
First contact to receiving the bike is something like three weeks, by the time negotiating, stripping and packing the bike down and the above is done plus a bit of waiting round in customs.
It really is that simple, so go for it, but don’t blame me if it all goes tits up.
Good luck, Jason
I've used Frontier Forwarders (0870 4430 259) & their US agents Berklay without any hassle. I've opted for crated air freight rather than pallet / container / sea cargo as its quicker & less risky. I haven't dismantled bikes - just securely tied-down in the crate. In lieu of a Title, opt for a notarised bill of sale as proof of exchange of ownership. Your seller can arrange this through his bank. Speak to Customs at this end - I got binding tarriff agreements to reduce VAT & duty but these are almost impossible to get now. Buy the best bike you can afford with the correct bits on it - easier & cheaper than buying a project & scouring Ebay. Do your research first - resist an impulse buy!
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