Importing French motorbike to uk

[Samhubbz]

Hi all. Thanks for letting me join. Im a keen biker for 30 years and want to import or at least consider importing my motorbike from france to uk. I live in Cornwall and lived in Brittany.
I have had trouble with HMRC confirming what I have to pay. Very unhelpful but either way I could do with a black and white simple version of what's required re costs.
Am I correct in saying I will have to pay 20% of the current value of the bike once valued by a dealer or garage?
Secondly there's an additional cost of 6% but can't confirm what that's based on. Can anyone confirm?
Or is it simply I have to pay 26% of the value of the bike after valuation. Even the 3 hmrc people I spoke to didn't know and simply said go online. Im hoping someone on here may have more knowledge and experience than me to confirm.
TIA sam

[Robbo87]

Hi and welcome to SWB. I have a (non-biker) pal who's just re-imported himself and family back to the UK (Honiton) after 24 years in France. I'm assuming he also re-imported his vehicles so I'll ask the question(s) and get back to you.

[Samhubbz]

That's amazing thanks so much

[Robbo87]

O.k. here's the lowdown as told to me by someone I know who's been in your situation: On a French (or presumably any foreign) registered vehicle you may have to pay up to 30% of the value of the vehicle, you also will have to get it 'road safety' inspected and registered, then you will have to jump through various DVLA hoops (aka red tape) before actually being able to use said vehicle. My friend's recommendation? Do what he and most other people do in this situation and sell it in France (you'll get more for a bike over there), pocket the money and buy a UK registered bike over here - simple and straightforward as that!

[Samhubbz]

Much appreciated