Costs and Procedures for Customs Clearance When Bringing a Motorcycle from the UK to Poland

The cost of bringing a motorcycle from the United Kingdom to Poland will depend on a range of factors, including the value of the motorcycle, transport costs, duty rates and taxes.

Value of the motorcycle: Duty and VAT are often calculated based on the value of the goods. You will need to declare the motorcycle's value for customs purposes.

Transport costs: The cost of transporting the motorcycle from the United Kingdom to Poland will depend on the transport method chosen (e.g. by sea, air or road) and on the transport company.

Duty rates and taxes: Depending on Poland's customs regulations, you may be required to pay duty and VAT on the imported motorcycle. These rates can vary depending on the type of goods and the country of origin.

Below is a sample list of documents that may be needed to import a motorcycle:

- Commercial invoice: This document contains detailed information about the goods, including a description, value and country of origin.

- Transport document: This is the agreement between the carrier and the seller concerning the transport of the goods. It can be a bill of lading (for sea transport), an air waybill (for air transport), or a CMR (for road transport).

- Customs declaration: This document contains detailed information about the import that is needed for customs clearance.

Import duty on a used motorcycle depends on two main factors:

• Engine capacity: This determines whether the motorcycle falls below the 250cc threshold.
• Age of the motorcycle: This determines the VAT rate applied.

Here is a detailed breakdown of the import duty:

Motorcycles over 250cc and under 30 years old:

• Import duty: 6% of the motorcycle's customs value
• VAT: 20% (applied to the sum of the purchase price, import duty and any transport costs)

Motorcycles under 250cc and under 30 years old:

• Import duty: 8% of the motorcycle's customs value
• VAT: 20% (applied to the sum of the purchase price, import duty and any transport costs)

Motorcycles over 30 years old (collectors' vehicles, CN code 9705 00 00):

• Import duty: 0% (considered duty-free)
• VAT: 8% (reduced rate for collectors' items, applied to the sum of the purchase price and any transport costs) — granica.gov.pl

Registering a Motorcycle in Poland – Step-by-Step Procedure:

Once you have completed all the customs clearance formalities and paid the necessary duty and taxes, the next important stage is registering the imported motorcycle in Poland's vehicle registration system. Here's a more detailed guide to this process:

1. Gathering Documents

Before visiting the vehicle registration office, make sure you have all the required documents with you:

• Customs Clearance Documents: Confirmation that the import process has been completed and all customs charges settled.
• Proof of Tax Payment: VAT invoices or other documents confirming that taxes relating to the motorcycle's import have been paid.
• Motorcycle Registration Document: The original registration document for the motorcycle from the country of origin.
• Third-Party Liability Insurance Policy: A valid third-party liability policy for the motorcycle, required to register the vehicle in Poland.
• Technical Inspection Report: Confirmation that the mandatory technical inspection has been carried out, showing that the motorcycle meets all the technical requirements in force in Poland.

2. Visiting the Vehicle Registration Office

Choose the vehicle registration office responsible for your place of residence. A motorcycle can only be registered at the office responsible for your registered address or your company's registered office (for company vehicles).

3. Registration Application

At the vehicle registration office, you will be given a registration application for the motorcycle. Fill in the application carefully, providing all the required information about the motorcycle and your contact details.

4. Presenting the Documents

Present all the documents you have gathered to the office clerk. The clerk will check the documents for completeness and accuracy, which is key to the rest of the registration process.

5. Registration Fees

A registration fee is charged for registering the motorcycle, and the amount can vary depending on where you register it. You will need to pay it at the office's cash desk or by bank transfer.

6. Receiving the Registration Document and Number Plates

Once your application has been approved and the fees paid, you will receive a new vehicle registration document and a set of number plates. From this point, the motorcycle is officially registered in Poland and ready to use.

Registering the motorcycle is an essential step that legalises its use in Poland. The process requires care and patience, but it's key to using the motorcycle in your new country without problems.

In the context of importing a motorcycle from the United Kingdom to Poland, VAT is one of the key elements of the customs clearance process that needs careful attention. Since Brexit, motorcycles brought into Poland from the United Kingdom are subject to the standard VAT rate in force at the time of import. In Poland, this rate is 23% and is charged on the sum of the motorcycle's customs value, which includes its purchase price, transport costs and duty (if applicable). VAT is a key part of the costs involved in importing, and correctly settling it is essential to legalising the vehicle's status in Poland. It's also worth remembering that the exact VAT amount can depend on a number of factors, including the exact valuation of the vehicle by the customs office, which can affect the total cost of importing. That's why it's so important for importers to be prepared for these costs and factor them into their budget for buying and importing a motorcycle.

• Poland: Standard VAT rate - 23%
• France: Standard VAT rate - 20%
• Belgium: Standard VAT rate - 21%
• Germany: Standard VAT rate - 19%
• Netherlands: Standard VAT rate - 21%
• Luxembourg: Standard VAT rate - 17%
• Czech Republic: Standard VAT rate - 21%
• Slovakia: Standard VAT rate - 20%
• Austria: Standard VAT rate - 20%

Excise duty and motorcycles – the legal position

Motorcycles (CN code 8711) are not subject to excise duty in Poland. Excise duty applies only to passenger cars (CN 8703) – under the Excise Duty Act of 6 December 2008, the rates are 3.1% for engines up to 2000 cc and 18.6% for engines above 2000 cc. So when importing a motorcycle from the United Kingdom to Poland, no excise duty is due — the only costs are duty (if applicable) and VAT. Source: podatki.gov.pl – subject of excise taxation.

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