Honda cross cub

[mender]

What if we all go over and buy one each... Then ride it back

I'm liking the idea

[George]

Or find if it didnt have CE approval or something that nobody would insure it ????

Eric.

There are other EU Countries that would register and insure them. After that, it's a matter of importing a vehicle from within the EU. Which might be easier to do. Or just get them second hand from Japan and that won't matter any more. Complicated nevertheless...

[Biker Paul]

Now second hand from Japan is a viable option as they do a brisk trade in cars and vans already, must be a deal to be had to fill a bit of spare space in the containers or even have one just 4 bikes. I wonder how many you could get into a 40 foot container?

[zippy]

they would pack down quite small and boxed up in a container share? Still good to have someone over there to do it for you.

There are other EU Countries that would register and insure them. After that, it's a matter of importing a vehicle from within the EU. Which might be easier to do. Or just get them second hand from Japan and that won't matter any more. Complicated nevertheless...

not really easier, as you still need a coc don't you from europe? So prob a larger expense getting it fully inspected?

Only reason is to pay less vat registering it 1st in other lower VAT EU state?

[George]

they would pack down quite small and boxed up in a container share? Still good to have someone over there to do it for you.

There are other EU Countries that would register and insure them. After that, it's a matter of importing a vehicle from within the EU. Which might be easier to do. Or just get them second hand from Japan and that won't matter any more. Complicated nevertheless...

not really easier, as you still need a coc don't you from europe? So prob a larger expense getting it fully inspected?

Only reason is to pay less vat registering it 1st in other lower VAT EU state?

You do need a COC. It's around £85 the inspection at VOSA.

[ericry]

Would each one have to be packed in a box individually or could you put like 3 in a standard pallet sized box ?

Or could you put 40 or 50 into a container ? squash them in ?

then you might get some damaged...plastic, gauges etc which could be expensive to replace.

You really want someone on the ground over there to
- find 10 or more bikes
- get them to a location near the shipping area
- source suitable size packing crates
- pull off wheels, wrap in bubble wrap and put them in the crates etc.
- handle the paperwork over there to get them accepted by the shipping company

Then you need someone in the UK or other EU country with lowest import charges, custom & excise duties and VAT and registration fees to
- go to the importer and get the paperwork done
- any inspections for registration
- pay fees
- move bikes to storage/ assembly area

At this point whoever had paid for a bike would either be able to go there and assemble their bikes and ride home or arrange courier to pick up here and bring back to their homes.

To avoid import duties and vat in Ireland the bike needs to be coming from another EU country and registered in that country with registration docs etc.....has to also be more than 6 months old with over 6000kms on it.

The 6000km could be got around by riding it the "very long way" to the registration office....the 6 months thing is harder to get around !!

Eric.

[George]

My contact in Japan wanted 15% of the bike cost. He would get the bike, transport it to the shipyard and that's about it. It's massively expensive in the end...

The 6000 km could be done with a power drill.

I was looking for a new CC110 but they said that they could buy second hand bikes as well...

I think this will remain a dream and that's it.

[zippy]

I remember looking up getting car or bike to Japan driving it. And there isn't any car ferries to Japan, that I could find.

So you can't even drive one home

[ericry]

If you can pack it into a crate then any shipping company will ship it for you.

Need to combine a holiday to Japan with a bike buying trip.

Go on holidays to Japan
Hire a small van/pickup/hiace
Bike a few bikes
Bring them to a shipping agent and get them crated up nice and snug
Should be able to get 3Cross Cubs in a pallet sized crate,dismantled
Ship them home
Go home from holidays and wait for your present to arrive !

Eric.

[George]

If you can pack it into a crate then any shipping company will ship it for you.

Need to combine a holiday to Japan with a bike buying trip.

Go on holidays to Japan
Hire a small van/pickup/hiace
Bike a few bikes
Bring them to a shipping agent and get them crated up nice and snug
Should be able to get 3Cross Cubs in a pallet sized crate,dismantled
Ship them home
Go home from holidays and wait for your present to arrive !

Eric.

Not easy... holiday is around £1500 (ticket + accommodation), van rental around £200 let's say, fuel doesn't matter, the bike is around £2000 or more, the crate is very expensive. Let's say £500 pounds for a 3 bike crate, dismantling the bikes could take a while and you need some tools, the shipping costs are high + the insurance (as I remember you need one or some sort of fee). So without the actual shipping costs you end up spending £4200...