Does an imported motorbike need a NOVA?

Yes. A motorbike you bring into the UK permanently needs a NOVA, the notification to HMRC, within 14 days, unless its engine is 48cc or less (7.2kW or less if it is electric). GOV.UK lists no exemption for age, so an old or classic bike needs one too, and the DVLA will not register the bike until HMRC has processed it.

Get a free quote for my motorbike import

Free and no obligation.

Importing a motorbike? Get a free quote for your NOVA and customs →

Which motorbikes need a NOVA?

Every motorbike you bring into the UK permanently, except very small ones. GOV.UK says a vehicle with an engine of 48cc or less (7.2kW or less if it is electric) can be registered without telling HMRC first (GOV.UK, telling HMRC). A 50cc moped is above that limit, so it needs a NOVA.

That exemption is about telling HMRC. We found no GOV.UK text that says it removes import VAT or duty, so do not assume it does.

If you bring the bike in yourself, GOV.UK says you must contact HMRC's CARS team within 14 days. If it is shipped, your shipping company, a customs agent or the CARS team can make the declaration for you. The full route for each case is in our guide on how to apply for a NOVA.

Does an old or classic motorbike need a NOVA?

Yes. GOV.UK lists no exemption for age. The 30-year rule is about tax, not about telling HMRC. A classic motorbike pays 0% duty and 5% import VAT only if it is at least 30 years old, in its original state without substantial changes, and of a model no longer in production (UK Trade Tariff, chapter 97 note). Age alone is not enough, and the bike still needs its NOVA.

Our classic motorcycle guide covers the tax side. For the same question on cars, see NOVA for classic cars.

Does a bike over 10 years old still need a NOVA?

Yes, but it may skip the approval test. The NOVA and the approval test are separate steps. GOV.UK says a vehicle first registered or manufactured more than 10 years ago might not need approval (GOV.UK, vehicle approval). The motorcycle test, MSVA, is for vehicles under 10 years old (GOV.UK, MSVA), and the DVSA inspection manual lists vehicles over ten years old among those that do not need an approval certificate (DVSA MSVA manual).

So an older bike can skip the test and still need a NOVA, then DVLA registration. More in importing a motorcycle over 10 years old.

Would you rather not do this alone? Let us handle your NOVA: we submit the customs declaration and the NOVA, and we prepare every DVLA form, you just sign and post.

Which documents does a motorbike NOVA need?

For a shipped vehicle, GOV.UK lists four things you need to make the NOVA declaration:

• the customs documents: the C88 and E2, or the Movement Reference Number (MRN) import document;
• the invoice or bill of sale, if you bought the bike in the last 6 months;
• a current valuation, if you bought it more than 6 months ago, done in person in the UK by a garage, dealership or other recognised business;
• a copy of an official document that confirms the VIN or chassis number, such as a registration, title document or export certificate.

The number is where bikes go wrong. DVLA says it will not register a vehicle if the details in the registration application do not match those given to HMRC (DVLA leaflet INF106). So the number on the document, on the NOVA and on the DVLA form must read exactly the same, and it is worth checking it against the number stamped on the bike before anything is sent.

What goes wrong when a number is out by one character is in NOVA wrong VIN, wrong value and how to correct them.

How does the NOVA fit with customs clearance and the DVLA?

In this order: customs clearance, then the NOVA, then the DVLA. GOV.UK says any import tax must be paid before HMRC makes the NOVA declaration, and you cannot register the bike with the DVLA until HMRC has told you the NOVA is processed.

• Customs. We make the customs declaration for your bike.
• NOVA. We submit the NOVA with the customs details. Between customs and the NOVA we process within one business day. That is our own working time: the sooner it is sent, the sooner you get your NOVA reference.
• HMRC. A caseworker at HMRC decides the outcome, and how long it takes depends on the workload of the NOVA team. We cannot promise a time or a result.
• DVLA. DVLA asks you to allow 48 hours after the HMRC confirmation before you apply (INF106). We prepare every DVLA form, you just sign and post. The registration fee is £55 and the V5C can take up to 6 weeks to arrive (GOV.UK, registering). More in registering an imported motorcycle.

Our NOVA service is from £45. That does not include import duty and VAT. Work those out first with the free VAT and duties calculator, and see the full import guide for the whole process.

Can I do the NOVA for my motorbike myself?

A private person can ask for a NOVA without an agent. The risk is in the details. If the VIN, the value or a document is wrong or missing, you can end up with delays, corrections and extra costs, and because a caseworker decides, you want them to have everything they need the first time. That is why we prepare the NOVA with all the details up front.

Our other NOVA pages cover what a NOVA costs, how long a NOVA takes, whether private importers need one and what to do if you are late.