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Taking a bike abroad - Brexit

i was hoping to take my Norton Metisse to some French meetings this or next year, but just read this on a classic MX fb Page. 

OK, so this morning I called the very charming Johnathan Crosbie at The Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, tel 01212 743217. He has been taking calls to field all the queries regarding this matter, and is very helpful. Many racer's circumstances are different, so the information he gave me relates to our own situation and what we race. (Thinking of getting a V5 for your race bike, and travelling that route, if the bike looks like a race bike, ie has numbers, no lights etc, then it is likely to be rejected, it may have worked 40 + yrs ago, but not now).  If you have race bikes you are obviously taking them for competition purposes. If you are taking them over to sell, then this is not the dept, you need to be in import and export! The argument that its no different to Skis for a ski trip doesn't wash, as its obvious you would be going on a ski holiday, not for competition, but we wont go into that argument here. So what we have is : 1 x classic Honda 450cc 1 x Kawasaki 50cc Tools and small spares (not spare engines!) Small compressor Paddock starter Race leathers, helmet, gloves . etc We estimate the total value of the above to be £10,000 On that basis, we require 1 x carnet ....... £288.00 incl vat One off premium with Aviva to cover the deposit .... £120.00  so a total of just over £400. You can list two bikes on one carnet, along with the associated equipment. This carnet is valid for 6 months, as many trips as you like, but both bikes must travel each time, ie this is their passport and they stay together. The value of your bikes and stuff is up to you to make a reasonable estimate, if you say its only worth £500, then it will be scrutinised. Similarly if you are unfortunate enough to return with the bikes in bits, then keep all the bits to show it is still part of the same machine. Its a good idea to give a reasonable description of the bikes so customs can see it matches up. Any info to identify the bike will help, including frame numbers etc. Also with the other items, makes, models etc. Officials on both sides of the channel are not looking to catch people out, but just need to see one has made the effort to provide the necessary paperwork, but if they smell a rat, they will go looking for one! If you are travelling via Dover or Chunnel, then you must attend the Government Inland Border facility, where your carnet will be inspected , stamped and cleared. In January, this would take perhaps half hour, but in July expect much longer (a bit like waiting for the Steam packet!) Based on the figures we have been given, in the grand scheme of things, I don't think this is extortionate, yes another added cost, but racing elsewhere in the World is just as costly, and we are getting this cheaper than many European racer's who want to come over to the UK. I hope this helps, obviously things could change, but this is how it is at the present time.

... doesn’t look like I’ll be doing much of that.

I guess the same will apply to those trailering (or Van) their bikes to I international rallies. Unless anyone knows different?

dan 

 

 

 

 

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I read on one of the competition websites (can't find it again now...) that vehicles which are road-registered, taxed and insured are not subject to these regulations, hence the first paragraph above. It will be necessary (pretty much as previously) to have all documentation to hand.

Brexit wasn't intended to make life easier or more pleasant for anyone was it ? There was never any real possibility of that.

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As I understand it, the carnet system is for those carrying the tools of their trade for work purposes. If you're a professional racer then, I guess, you should have thought this through before voting to leave the EU. But for amateurs there should not be an issue but maybe a bit more hassle. You might have to prove you own the bike, which is where that V5 discussion is coming from, and be able to show where you're going with it, but otherwise it is just a holiday. And a rally - that's just like meeting a bunch of mates down the pub.

I've never raced a motorbike outside the UK (& IoM) but I do race bicycles in France in mass-participation events, (sort of like to the London marathon). Two bicycles (each worth as much as a Commando), wheels, spares, clothing. And then there's an entry process with a fee and medical certificate. So not very different from motorsport. As far as I'm aware, this continues as before for us holiday racers, i.e. it's just a holiday. And I can't see why trailering your bike to a rally should be any different to a couple of bicycles strapped to the back of a motorhome - so long as you can answer any questions that might be asked.

As for the quoted conversation, if I wanted to race a motorbike in France I'd be directing my question to the event organiser, the CRMCC and the ACU. Can't imagine why I'd involve the local chamber of commerce.

No doubt Gino will drop in and tell you to ride the bike to the rally because you can't be done for speeding anymore....

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Yes we are waiting on advice from the ACU and AMCA. The reason he spoke to Birmingham chamber of commerce is because they are administering the carnet system. 

Dan

 

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Ride your bike etc etc :-)

A point worth noting though is the V5 is not proof of ownership, I realised this on entering Nicaragua when the typical Central American border official who allegedly only spoke Spanish pointed out the bold statement on the front of my wife and I v5’s and said it was not proof of ownership.

we got through but it did make me aware.

I was unaware the carnet system had been brought in for the temporary export of goods in Europe? 

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What does the ACU say about this problem?

Surely not every automobile that goes to the European Mainland carries their ownership papers with them?

Would photo copies suffice?

Mike

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Very few countries give owners a 'Producer' for vehicle documents. In most European countries it's always been compulsory to carry them at all times and vehicles are regularly impounded if they are not present. Carrying them is not such a problem for cars but a nuisance for owners of more than one motorcycle as it's always the wrong papers in a jacket pocket.

Photocopies in general are not acceptable, but in practice sometimes are. In the case of hired or borrowed vehicles it's also necessary to have a letter of permission from the registered keeper.

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Mercifully, the UK has never required documents to be carried. And you have 7 days to present them at a police station of your own choice.  There's no way Government would draft laws as liberally as that nowadays.

Of course nobody with any sense leaves documents in a parked vehicle, and the European State laws mean you cannot legally leave a car parked for another insured user to drive.

 


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