DIY importing of bikes

[cherns]

I've searched the forum for more information on this topic but couldn't find anything...

 

But I was just wondering, with the (sometimes incredulous) premiums that some dealers are charging for bikes (e.g. BMW's and the new V-Max) - has anyone here imported their own bike before? What was the experience like? Any tips or things to look out for?

 

I managed to find a document online detailing the steps required to import a bike (document here), but just wanted to hear it first hand.

 

And just to preempt some comments/questions here, the main taxes involved for importing a bike are...

1. Customs duty = 12%

2. ARF (Additional Registration Fee) = 15%

3. GST = 7%

 

Roughly stacked together, it comes up to an additional 35% + COE + other misc charges (e.g. certifications and approvals)... which usually ends up to be around 50% more in total.

 

e.g. So if a bike costs $10k in the US then technically speaking, it should cost about $15k here. Problem is, we usually end up having to pay a good $5 - $10k more than that.

 

Anyone wanna share a first hand experience?

[nautiboy]

Firstly, you'll need to determine the OMV of the bike before slapping on the other taxes which is based on the omv.

 

Interesting thread, as i've been looking at this possibility too.

 

V-max or V-Rod Muscle.

 

The other issue that i've is - warranty n servicing.

 

Worth exploring, given the saving(if 10K)..a lot can be done.

 

We may be able to try it ourselves if the interest is strong, but of course...it must be same brand for convenience.

 

cheers

[cherns]

From what I understand, the OMV is what you declare it to be... especially if it's bought second hand. That's how the PI's do it for cars. Most of the time, they pay full Japan (if buying from Japan) retail for the car from dealers there, but they under-declare the OMV to save on all the tariffs.

[kmax]

some foreigners thought of it before.. and some articles can be found here.

 

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=326170

 

 

http://www.advrider.com/forums/showpost.php?p=6733625&postcount=11

Hi there,

I am an Australian based in Singapore and I can add my experiences.

 

I was posted here 18 months ago and at the time had a 2001 Triumph Tiger in Oz. I could NOT bring it to Singpore as it was greater than 3 years old and Singpore has an import restriction on vehicls older than 3 years. This advice came form the relocation company who oved me. I have been told that it is possible to import older vehicles but they are restricted to use on the road 28 days per year (set up for vintage vehicles). I was told this applied to bikes but this may be incorrect. Import of a newer bike is possible and relatively easy but the local authority (Land Transport Authority) will require the bike to be compliant to local rules and be expected. I would think that any bike that is registerable in the US would be compliant here without any modifications. The process is a little beauracratic but not as bad as it seems. See the link above for the import rules. Lots of ex-pats bring in Harleys and take them home at the end of their posting, so it is possible and done all the time. In summary Singapore is trying to restrict the number of cars and vehicles on the road and they make it hard to get one. They are actually keen to hve ex-pats here and provide systems to get what you want, it just may be a little painful - nd cost some money. They run on the theory that ex-pats have money or their company coughs up for such costs.

 

In terms of costs, small Bikes are cheap, big bikes are expensive and cars are very very expensive. As examples, a Vespa scooter that costs AUD$6,000 in Australia is about the same price here. A BMW R1200GS that costs AUD$29,000 in OZ is about AUD$43,000 here and a new Mini Cooper car that costs AUD$49,000 is about $140,000 here!! The cost differences are for 2 reasons. They tax new imported vehicles a lot (aroubd 200%) and they have a document called a Certificate of Entitlement (COE) that you have to buy to get a vehicle on the road. This document belongs to the vehicle and is timed to last 10 years. COEs vary in price as they are actioned every 2 weeks and there is a limit to the number available each year. The idea is to restrict the number of registrations and therefore cars on the road. More demand for registrations and the COE price jumps. It also encourages cars and bikes to be scrapped before they are 10 years old.

The last listed COE costs are

Cars

cars>1600cc SGD$19,500

Motorbikes CGD$1,012

BUT car COE costs have been around SGD$40,000!

If you pay $140,000 for a mini, it may have cost you $20,000 just for the COE and in 6 years time you vehicle is woth $5,000. Who wants an old mini with no status and 4 years left on the self-destruct timer. It sounds like a good idea when you are stuck in traffic but it really means that affluent can afford any car they want and less well off people catch the bus.

 

You should be aware of the downsides of motorcycling here. The drivers here have a long and detailed training and testing system they have to go through to get a license - and when they actully get a license they forget all that and drive like brainless, blind and arrogant knuckleheads. They are also unable to use mirrors or indicators for some strange reason. I think it has to do with the local concept of Kiasu that translates to "always must win". This means that a guy with a vehicle of a higher status beats you on the road. In fact they feel duty bound to prove their status and dominance by cutting you off and ignoring you. I have been cut off by an S class Mercedes that moves left 3 lanes and cut me off onto the footpath - as in tried to kill me (and my wife was on the back) and then moved back 3 lanes and turned right!! I think it was to make him feel better that he had to pay $400,000 for a car that costs $100,000 elsewhere.

 

When I moved to Singapore I could not bring my Tiger so I sold it and mistakenly decided to be financially responsible and bought a 200cc Vespa locally. It was cheap and good for going to the shops but was dangerous. I blew up the transmission and got serious cut off and generally ssaulted on the road every day. I gave up and gave in and looked for big bike. I like the big trail bike/adventure style. The local Triumph dealer sells many brands and the service and mechnical support is hopeless. Tiger off the list. The BMW dealer sells cars as well as the bike and can sell as many cars as they can import. Their care factor for the bike business is very low. When I moved here I had a BMW bluetooth helmet (with BMW international warranty) that failed. They told me to get lost and they don't sell or support BMW helmets and did not care about any poxy international warranty. Having said that, there are quite few BMW bikes on the road here.

 

So to my choice. A BMW R1200 Adventure cost SGS$45,000 and a KTM 990 Adventure cost SGD$35,000 with panniers and top box, protection bars and all the fruit. Cost is not th most important thing to me. I had BMW GS bikes before and they were the least reliable bikes I have owned and I had poor service from BMW so I was not happy with the dealer in Sigapore. So, KTM it was and I have no regrets. The dealer her is a mom and pop set up but they are committed to the bikes and support off-road and supermotard racing. The KTM is a very hardcore bike that doesn't really like traffic and gets a little hot under the collar if it is not at speed. I use it every day though. AND now to the best bit about Singapore biking - Malaysia. Pop across one of the bridges and it's Heaven. Great roads and if you stay off the highways, very little traffic and no police that matter. There are speed limits and radars but mostly on the main KL highway. The regional roads are scenic and he local police ride 125cc scooters ad have no radios. They know they cn't catch you nd are more likely to wave at you or have a chat about your "superbike" as they call them than worry about you speed. I adore the east coast road up to Kuantan. You can pop up to Thailand for some Pad thai and a snorkle and be back for work on Monday. Makes it all worthwhile.

[cherns]

That's really useful Thanks for the heads up!

[GuiNNeSS]

That was very good info!

 

I was at the local shops this afternoon, and the Suzuki M109 was going for less than AU$20k because its an 08 model ie. Outdated. AU$1200 discount.

 

Singapore dealers, hai....

[cherns]

Whoa... that's one bike you don't see very often!

[GuiNNeSS]

Yea well, thats because of our tax structure.

 

Some of the popular bikes there are the GSX1400, Bandit 1250, and CB1300, all excellent bikes which are difficult to own here because of our exponential tax and insurance structure.

[Motorrad202]

Yea well, thats because of our tax structure.

 

Some of the popular bikes there are the GSX1400, Bandit 1250, and CB1300, all excellent bikes which are difficult to own here because of our exponential tax and insurance structure.

 

Oh and don't forget the homologation with LTA side..good luck :faint:

[pq]

I've searched the forum for more information on this topic but couldn't find anything...

 

But I was just wondering, with the (sometimes incredulous) premiums that some dealers are charging for bikes (e.g. BMW's and the new V-Max) - has anyone here imported their own bike before? What was the experience like? Any tips or things to look out for?

 

I managed to find a document online detailing the steps required to import a bike (document here), but just wanted to hear it first hand.

 

And just to preempt some comments/questions here, the main taxes involved for importing a bike are...

1. Customs duty = 12%

2. ARF (Additional Registration Fee) = 15%

3. GST = 7%

 

Roughly stacked together, it comes up to an additional 35% + COE + other misc charges (e.g. certifications and approvals)... which usually ends up to be around 50% more in total.

 

e.g. So if a bike costs $10k in the US then technically speaking, it should cost about $15k here. Problem is, we usually end up having to pay a good $5 - $10k more than that.

 

Anyone wanna share a first hand experience?

 

I was looking for 2nd hand harley and saw plenty of them at ebay US selling at good price.

 

I'm rather serious to explore into this possibility.

 

Read from a link above M-technik (copied here) can help to bring bikes in?

M-Technik is located at

51,Paya Ubi #05-08

Paya Ubi Industrial Park

Singapore 408933

Tel No: 6844 8973

Fax No: 6234-2773

Email: [email protected]

http://www.m-technik.net/

The shop usually manned by Mr Chan, Mr Eris & Mr Chua.

[mak]

guys i think u all forget to include the currency conversion rate

[forkie]

Hmmmm....

 

Apart from OMV or new bike, You will need an invoice for it. Commerical invoice should be good enough if this is a new bike. Since this will higly likely be DDU, means u should be paying duties. insurance and freight.

 

Next you will need to get a forwarder to import ur bike ? The cost wont be cheap i think ? In return they should be applying the GST permit (G4) permit on your behalf.

 

GST will be calculate base on bike value, freight cost, insurance. C.I.F

 

Actually not really a easy thing D.I.Y own bike in.

Not forgetting if this particular model is approved by LTA yet.