Importing and other motorcycle legal stuff

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09-26-2008, 02:34 AM
longuito

Importing and other motorcycle legal stuff

Hello,

I currently live in Mexico, and my company is looking to relocate me to Shanghai in the near future. I own 2 HONDAS I would love to bring with me: One of them is a 2003 XRV750 Africa Twin, with which I use for touring, and the other is a restored 1979 CBX which I ocasionally ride on the better highways.

I have seen a few posts on other forums saying what an ordeal it is to import a bike to China, and that you can't even ride one in Shanghai. Is it just rumours or is there actually a law?

Rather than using it arounf town, me and my wife would like to to travel on the bikes. Could I register the bikes elsewhere and take them to my home in Shanghai on a trailer? I know it may sound crazy, but I'm just looking for options. If there are no alternatives, then I would really see no point in bringing them in the first place, but the more I ask, the more I hear that "there is always a way around the law in China".

Therefore, I would like to know if someone could please give me some pointers, or maybe direct me to an agency or company that could advise me on the proceedings. Thanks in advance for whatever help anyone is able to provide. Best regards,
09-27-2008, 03:29 AM
ChinaV

Howdy longuito,

I think you will probably get a lot of mixed stories on what you want to do. Legally bringing your motorcycles into China is going to cost you far more than the value of the motorcycles. I'm not even sure you would be able to bring the CBX in because of it's age (emission laws are very strict on motor vehicle imports). If you can get the Africa Twin to Hong Kong, it can be illegally imported for about $3000.00 USD. Once you get it in, you need to get fake paperwork etc. and this will cost you about another 600-800 USD. If you run across the wrong cops on the wrong day, your bike will be taken away and you will probably get booted out of China.

You're coming to China for professional reasons, so it's not worth risking your career playing games with questionable vehicles. Shanghai is one of the most biker unfriendly cities in the world, there is little hope of riding your bikes there, and trailering is not possible because trailers are illegal in China. You could get a cheap truck to move them around, but it's not a really good option.

The next major hurdle you face is a license. Your residence permit is going to be issued in Shanghai, so you need to get your license issued by the appropriate authorities in Shanghai. A far as I know, Shanghai won't give you a motorcycle endorsment. I could be very wrong about this, try to check with some of the guys up there. They might be able to tell you how to get around this. Getting a license or registering a bike in another city is probably not going to be possible for you because your residence permit is based in Shanghai.

What you could do is buy a couple of China bikes (JH600 or QingQi 200 etc) outside of Shanghai and get a local person to register them in their name. This would keep you from having any legal troubles as long as you can also sort out your license issue.

A word of caution. Plenty of people come to China, do questionable things, and get away with it. China has changed A LOT in the last year and foreigners do not have the "special status" they once had. As a professional working in China you need to be a little more careful about your motorcycle plans than the average person that just comes through on a tour.

Good luck with your adventure
Cheers!
ChinaV
09-27-2008, 03:55 PM
chinabiker

Leave your bikes at home

Hi Luigi

ChinaV said it all already.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChinaV

What you could do is buy a couple of China bikes (JH600 or QingQi 200 etc) outside of Shanghai and get a local person to register them in their name. This would keep you from having any legal troubles as long as you can also sort out your license issue.

To my knowledge it is not possible to ride a non-Shanghai tagged bike within the outer ring road.

Only persons with diplomatic status can bring a used bike to China, but only get it registered if it complies with the relevant emmission standards.

Andy

P.S: Every village has different rules :mwink:
10-07-2008, 06:15 PM
longuito

Friends,

I'm sorry it has taken me a while to reply, but I have been swamped with work. Thanks you all for your very informative answers! :thumbsup: I will keep them in mind and try to find homes for my babies while I will be in China. I look forward to meeting you people in the near future. Best regards,
07-17-2010, 11:22 PM
bikerdoc

Re: Importing and other motorcycle legal stuff

China has enacted new rules about import of motor vehicles from July 1, 2010 that places a blanket ban on used (second hand) vehicles being imported permanently into mainland China. New vehciles can be imported after satisfying/providing relevant documents and payment of relevant fees/duties etc. Also any motor vehicle that is imported must comply with EU III emission standards.
07-18-2010, 11:06 PM
bigdamo

Re: Importing and other motorcycle legal stuff

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikerdoc

China has enacted new rules about import of motor vehicles from July 1, 2010 that places a blanket ban on used (second hand) vehicles being imported permanently into mainland China. New vehciles can be imported after satisfying/providing relevant documents and payment of relevant fees/duties etc. Also any motor vehicle that is imported must comply with EU III emission standards.

What about importing motor vehicles temporarily? Say for a race or rally?

I see China has lowered the import tax to 10% for automotive parts?
07-19-2010, 02:43 AM
andre555

Re: Importing and other motorcycle legal stuff

Anybody ever thought about Kit Cars? How about importing such a "Kit"? Would this go as Automobile parts through customs?
e.g. http://superlitecars.com/roadster_images.html or http://www.mevltd.co.uk/gallery.html or http://www.caterham.co.uk/assets/htm...m/classic.html (Not even thinking about registration...)
07-19-2010, 02:49 AM
chinabiker

Re: Importing and other motorcycle legal stuff

Quote:

Originally Posted by andre555

Anybody ever thought about Kit Cars? How about importing such a "Kit"? Would this go as Automobile parts through customs?
e.g. http://<a href="http://superlitecars...mages.html</a> or http://<a href="http://www.mevltd.co...llery.html</a> or http://<a href="http://www.caterham....assic.html</a> (Not even thinking about registration...)

Interesting point andre. I know a guy who actually does it with bikes - http://www.chrome-horse.com/ (website currently under rebuild).
He imports parts and makes custom HD like vehicles (not bikes :lol8:)
Also, his bikes could be registered in Hebei legally, don't know if still possible.
07-19-2010, 02:51 AM
bikerdoc

Re: Importing and other motorcycle legal stuff

Quote:

Originally Posted by andre555

Anybody ever thought about Kit Cars? How about importing such a "Kit"? Would this go as Automobile parts through customs?
e.g. http://superlitecars.com/roadster_images.html or http://www.mevltd.co.uk/gallery.html or http://www.caterham.co.uk/assets/htm...m/classic.html (Not even thinking about registration...)

you could bring those in as parts, but then how will you license and plate it? Ends up being a major problem, and essentially is the same situation as many of the grey market bikes that find the way across the border into PRC.
Keep in mind that you'd likely have to go about certifying a new vehicle from scratch to meet CCC qualification certification, EU-III emission standards and so forth.
07-19-2010, 06:07 AM
andre555

Re: Importing and other motorcycle legal stuff

I would take as a project to take home - dont want to spend my retirement in China, but to build
such a "Toy" would take time anyhow. Say 2 years for the project, once you know you leave in
what 2.5 years you start...and take home a very special vehicle in the container!

Lets see...strange ideas I get somethimes...