South Africa: Importing a motorcycle question
 

Before I returned to South Africa two years ago I wanted to bring my Piaggio X9 500cc with me, but stupidly decided against doing so. I did not realise how ridiculously expensive cars and bikes are in SA.
My plan is to buy a bike in the UK, then ship it to South Africa. I guess that I would still have to pay import duties ? I reckon that even if I paid 100% tax, it would still be cheaper than buying a second hand model locally. I can also buy/ship from Netherlands, if that can get me tax benefit.

My question:
Can it be done, would there be any import duties ?

Upon buyng the bike I will only have the import certificate and not the two years' ownership. I do not plan to resell after import. I plan to use the bike daily as a commuter.

Re: South Africa: Importing a motorcycle question
 

Can't answer your specific question - but are bikes more expensive here? I have a CB600 -seemed to cost very little (compared to what I expected to pay). I am about to trade it for a HD - probably a night rod - are you saying this would be cheaper to source overseas and import?

Re: South Africa: Importing a motorcycle question
 

Can you re-use the same training wheels or will you have to buy new ones??:rofl:

Re: South Africa: Importing a motorcycle question
 

I was hoping to emulate you in your Father Ted sidecar, coming home from the pub before being dropped off at your park bench so you can hurl more obsentities at passers-by!!:lol:

Re: South Africa: Importing a motorcycle question
 

Leave my park bench alone,its home!!

Re: South Africa: Importing a motorcycle question
 

Budge up mate, I feel the need for a game of chucking stones into a puddle....

Re: South Africa: Importing a motorcycle question
 

Didn't realise it was only a 600, thought at least a 1200 Fatboy!
You have any difficulty keeping ahead of the Taxi-boys?

Re: South Africa: Importing a motorcycle question
 

Just paid a couple of speeding tickets. 146 in a 60 going past Westcliff. Oops. Got to sell it and get something older and slower...:(

Re: South Africa: Importing a motorcycle question
 

Look at the Sars website for imports, all the details are there. Being back over two years, not owning it overseas for at least a year, most probably means you will pay ALL the taxes, if you are allowed to bring it in.
(I brought my car back within the two years and got exemption).
By the time you've paid all the taxes plus shipping costs you will be way over what you can buy here. 2 yrs ago we sold a 900 Honda 1984 model with 11000 kms on the clock, immaculate, for R22k. You can still get brilliant buys if you shop carefully. Good luck either way.