Sourcing petrol motorcycles from China
Petrol motorcycles from China carry UK duty of 6% to 8%, depending on engine capacity and vehicle type. Confirm the Great Britain vehicle approval route before ordering for road sales, and match the supplied motorcycles to their documents. Cambridge China Bridge sources petrol motorcycles.
Engine capacity and scooter classification decide duty
Read from the UK Trade Tariff on 29 September 2026, heading 8711 covers motorcycles, mopeds, motor-assisted cycles and side-cars. This guide covers petrol motorcycles only. The listed petrol lines carry 8% duty up to 250 cubic centimetres and 6% above that capacity. No anti-dumping duty, countervailing duty or suspension is recorded for these petrol lines.
The tariff attaches an import waste control. Environment Agency guidance for England says waste shipment controls apply only to material classed as waste. For motorcycles from China offered as scrap, damaged stock or repair projects, ask your customs broker to confirm the applicable import requirement before shipment. The supplied tariff also lists waste export controls and a DCMS export licence measure; ask the broker to check these if planning onward export.
Confirm engine capacity and whether the vehicle is a scooter using finding your commodity code. Keep the engine specification and model photographs with the classification record. For the electric branch of this heading, see electric mopeds from China.
| Goods | Commodity code | Duty | Anti-dumping or countervailing duty on China |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petrol mopeds and motorcycles not exceeding 50 cubic centimetres | 8711 10 00 00 | 8% | None |
| Petrol scooters exceeding 50 but not exceeding 250 cubic centimetres | 8711 20 10 00 | 8% | None |
| Other petrol motorcycles exceeding 50 but not exceeding 125 cubic centimetres | 8711 20 92 00 | 8% | None |
| Other petrol motorcycles exceeding 125 but not exceeding 250 cubic centimetres | 8711 20 98 00 | 8% | None |
| Petrol motorcycles exceeding 250 but not exceeding 380 cubic centimetres | 8711 30 10 00 | 6% | None |
| Petrol motorcycles exceeding 380 but not exceeding 500 cubic centimetres | 8711 30 90 00 | 6% | None |
| Petrol motorcycles exceeding 500 but not exceeding 800 cubic centimetres | 8711 40 00 00 | 6% | None |
| Petrol motorcycles exceeding 800 cubic centimetres | 8711 50 00 00 | 6% | None |
Specify the engine and the road-sale configuration
State petrol engine model, cylinder capacity, fuel system, cooling system, transmission, brake equipment, tyre sizes and supplied exhaust. Define whether the order is for road use or off-road use, and request documents for the actual model and configuration being supplied.
GOV.UK says manufacturers or their representatives must apply for provisional GB type approval to sell or register vehicles in England, Scotland and Wales. Confirm the applicable approval route with the vehicle approval authority before ordering. For a motorcycle single vehicle approval inspection, the vehicle needs a vehicle identification number beforehand.
Agree the headlamp configuration, speedometer display, assembly instructions, service information and spare-parts list. Record the approved sample's engine, exhaust and brake components so substitutions can be identified.
Worked duty example
Illustrative example, not a quote: Illustrative order of 50 petrol motorcycles under 8711 20 92 00, invoiced at £100,000 free on board, with £5,000 of freight and insurance to the UK. The customs value is £105,000. Duty at 8% is £8,400. Import VAT at 20% is charged on the customs value plus duty, £113,400, so it is £22,680. Import taxes total £31,080; a VAT-registered importer can usually reclaim the VAT, so the lasting cost is the £8,400 of duty. The import duty and VAT guide explains each step.
Inspection checklist
Identity: match frame identification, engine model and cylinder capacity to the order and supplied approval documents; photograph the markings.
Running condition: check cold starting, idle stability, throttle return, gear selection and fuel, oil or coolant leaks on sampled motorcycles.
Chassis: check steering movement, wheel alignment, brake operation, chain adjustment and critical fasteners against the assembly instructions.
Arrival: check crates, fork and wheel damage, loose components and missing keys or documents before assembly. Use the quality inspection guide to agree the inspection record.
What goes wrong
A catalogue model can arrive with a different engine, exhaust or fuel system from the documented configuration. Approval paperwork then needs checking again. Treat each proposed substitution as a change to the order and request updated evidence before accepting it.
Poor crate support can damage forks, wheels and body panels. Rushed assembly can leave brakes misadjusted or fasteners loose. Put packing photographs, assembly checks and a parts inventory in the acceptance plan rather than relying on a running-engine video.
Cambridge China Bridge sources these products for UK businesses, checking the factory and the documents before shipment. See factory verification. For machinery and equipment, see machinery imports.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK import duty on petrol motorcycles from China?
The supplied tariff lists 8% for petrol motorcycles up to 250 cubic centimetres and 6% above that capacity, with no anti-dumping duty, countervailing duty or suspension recorded for these lines.
What should I check before importing motorcycles for UK road sales?
Confirm the Great Britain approval route and request documents matching the engine, exhaust and vehicle configuration. Resolve any model or component mismatch before placing the order.
Do imported motorcycles need UK registration?
GOV.UK says a vehicle brought into the UK permanently must be registered with DVLA. Plan registration alongside the approval documents before offering motorcycles for road use.
Does the tariff waste control apply to new motorcycles?
England's waste shipment guidance says controls apply only if the material is waste. The tariff attaches a waste import control; ask your broker to confirm its application, particularly for damaged or scrap stock.