Importing motorcycles from abroad into PR China

[bikerdoc]

Just thought I'd share this information;

The cost of importing a NEW motorcycle into China as at 2012-Nov-21. The PRC government will hold its hand out for 70% of the MSRP (as the PRC authorities determine it to be, no matter how much one might pay or the invoice produced, which will be a gross price inclusive of any local taxes at the source country e.g. VAT, GST, stamp duties etc if any) added to that aforementioned 70% of MSRP will be added an additional CNY30,000 as a one off fee, irrespective of bike cost. To those prices one has to factor freighting, shipping and any additional quarantine costs, and does not include any costs associated with plating or insurance. This information is current and up to date as of yesterday. I know this first hand as I am attempting to import a new XT1200Z from Australia.

Some members might think that the figures and percentages are incorrect as I know that some members here on MCM firmly believe that vehicles can be imported into PRC legally and cost only an additional 40% on top of the purchase price.
Sorry to burst the bubble, that is pie in the sky wishful thinking.

To quantify, the 70% the PRC authorities calculate is based on the source countries MSRP plus any additional taxes (e.g. VAT, GST etc) which is then the GROSS price, which is what the 70% is calculated on, irrespective if one has to pay said additional taxes at source or not. The PRC authorities will not calculate the 70% on the NETT price. If ones invoice shows a figure not in line with the MSRP PRC authorities expect then they make up their own MSRP. Remember too that this for importing a NEW motorcycle, not used (which are not allowed in).

This information came directly from the authorities to me yesterday. It also explains why foreign sourced motorcycles bought through legitimate dealers cost so much in PRC, after all they are in business for profit. Essentially the price of a new legal imported Harley, BMW, Kymco, Suzuki <insert your make, model here> is double to sometimes triple the cost here in PRC as what it might be in many overseas markets. It's not so much price gouging by local dealers, but rather reflects the 100-110% taxes and duties paid just to get said bike landed inside PRC. It also explains the rampant black market.

There are a few special circumstances, and caveats to all this, country of origin, the country of manufacture and whether or not there is any FTA in place, who is importing said motorcycle and what country that person is from, what work unit one is attached to and so on.

Also to import a motorcycle also requires a special importation license, which I have access to. So while there are many contributing factors that can alter the above "figures" the reality is that for the majority, figure on around 100-110% of the regular MSRP of a new motorcycle in non-refundable duties, taxes and additional fees to get the bike landed in PRC.