Import a classic motorcycle to your home country
There’s a certain romance to buying a Royal Enfield in India. The thump of the Bullet on Himalayan roads. The dust, the chai stops, the long ribbon of tarmac that never seems to end. For many riders, the dream doesn’t stop in India. They want to take that machine home.
But exporting a Royal Enfield isn’t as simple as strapping it to a ship. There are laws, documents, costs, and plenty of small print. I’ve done the digging, trawled the forums, and checked the official lines. Here’s the complete guide, written so you can see the road ahead clearly.
Serious about importing a Royal Enfield? I can help – contact me directly for details.
Can a Foreigner Buy a Motorcycle in India?
Yes, but it’s not frictionless.
- You’ll need passport and visa copies, local address proof (hotel letter or rental agreement), and sometimes an Indian tax ID (PAN) if registering long-term.
- The dealer will issue an invoice and begin the registration at the RTO (Regional Transport Office).
- Without an RC (Registration Certificate), the bike isn’t legally yours.
Some foreigners buy in an Indian friend’s name. That makes exporting harder later. Always insist on the RC in your name.
Registration, Insurance, and Ownership
- RC (Registration Certificate): Your golden ticket. Needed for export, customs, and proof of ownership.
- Insurance: Mandatory in India, but not valid abroad. You’ll need new insurance in your destination country.
- Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUC): Often needed for export clearance. Easy to get at roadside test stations.\
Read: My Awesome Six-Month Motorcycle Tour Of India That Changed My Life
The Export Process from India
Exporting a motorcycle involves de-registering it in India and arranging shipping. Here are the steps:
- No Objection Certificate (NOC): Obtain from the RTO. Confirms the bike isn’t stolen, financed, or under dispute.
- Cancel Registration: Apply to de-register once the bike is marked for export.
- Choose Shipping Method:
- Air Freight: Fast, expensive. Good for urgent or high-value shipments.
- Sea Freight: Cheaper. Either in a shared container or RORO (roll-on roll-off).
- Prepare the Bike: Drain most fuel, disconnect battery, crate or palletize.
- Customs Clearance in India: Handled by your shipping agent.
- Bill of Lading (sea) or Air Waybill (air): Your proof of shipment.
Transit can take 2–8 weeks by sea depending on route, or a week by air.
Read: What’s It Really Like Riding A Royal Enfield Across The Himalayas
How Much Does It Cost?
Costs vary widely, but expect:
- Crating / packing: ₹20,000–30,000 (£200–£300)
- Freight: £1,000–£1,500 sea, £2,000+ air
- Port charges / handling: £200–£400
- Customs duty & VAT in destination: 10–30% of bike value + freight
- Insurance for transit: 1–2% of declared value
In total, shipping a Royal Enfield to Europe or the UK can run £2,000–£3,000. To the US, closer to £3,000–£5,000 once duties and compliance are added. Often more than the bike itself.
Read: That Time I Guided A Trans Himalaya Motorcycle Adventure
Customs and Paperwork
At minimum, you’ll need:
- Purchase invoice
- RC (original)
- NOC from RTO
- Insurance papers
- PUC
- Bill of Lading / Air Waybill
Your destination country will ask for more: emissions compliance, import permits, or a Certificate of Conformity (which Indian-market bikes usually lack).
Should You Ride Out Instead?
Another route is overland. With a Carnet de Passages (an international customs document), you can legally ride your Indian-registered bike across borders. This works for travellers heading west into Pakistan, Iran, Central Asia, and beyond.
But eventually, you’ll still face the same problem: registration at home. Unless your country allows temporary import, you’ll need to import and register it formally.
Read: My Essential Motorcycle Trip Packing List For All Terrain Expeditions
Is It Worth It?
This is the big question. A new Royal Enfield Himalayan in India costs around ₹270,000 (£2,500). Exporting it may double that. In many countries, the same bike is already available at a local dealership with warranty, support, and local compliance.
So why do it? Sentimental value. Maybe you rode Ladakh on that machine and can’t part with it. Maybe it’s a rare model not sold abroad. Or maybe you just want to ride your Indian Bullet back home and park it in your garage.
Importing a Royal Enfield to Specific Countries
United Kingdom
- Import Duty: 6% on motorcycles.
- VAT: 20% on value + duty + shipping.
- Compliance: UK requires EU/UK homologation. Indian-market Enfields often lack a Certificate of Conformity. Without it, registering can be difficult. You may need IVA (Individual Vehicle Approval) testing.
- Historic Bikes: If the bike is over 30 years old, duty and VAT may be reduced.
Takeaway: It’s possible, but paperwork heavy. See discussions on Team-BHP and Horizons Unlimited for pitfalls.
United States
- EPA & DOT Compliance: US rules are strict. Bikes must meet emission and safety standards. Indian Enfields usually don’t.
- 25-Year Rule: If the bike is more than 25 years old, it can be imported without needing to meet modern standards.
- Costs: Expect $3,000–$5,000 once shipping, duty, and modifications are counted.
Takeaway: Importing a new Enfield is nearly impossible unless it’s already a US-spec model. For vintage Bullets, the 25-year rule makes it feasible.
European Union
- Import Duty: Usually 6%.
- VAT: Varies by country (19–25%).
- Compliance: EU requires Euro 5 emissions standards for new registrations. Indian models are BS6, which doesn’t always align.
- Certificate of Conformity: Without this, registering may require national approval testing (expensive).
Takeaway: Easier in some EU states than others. Germany is strict, while countries like Czechia or Poland may be more flexible.
Australia
- Import Approval Required: Apply to the Department of Infrastructure before shipping.
- Duty & GST: 5% duty plus 10% GST.
- Compliance: Bikes need to meet Australian Design Rules (ADR). Exceptions exist for personal imports.
- Quarantine Inspection: Strict cleaning required. Any soil or plant matter can cause delays and extra cost.
Takeaway: Possible, but bureaucratic. Forums like Horizons Unlimited share stories of mixed success.
Road Test: My 8-Year Riders Review of the Royal Enfield Thunderbird 350
Alternative: Buy Local vs Export
- Buy Local: Costs more upfront, but hassle-free. Full warranty, local compliance, resale value.
- Export: More paperwork, costs, and delays, but preserves your Indian adventure bike.
Ask yourself: is it nostalgia, rarity, or economics driving the decision?
Read: How to Apply for an International Driving Permit (IDP) in the UK
FAQs About Importing A Royal Enfield From India
Can I ship a Royal Enfield from India to the UK?
Yes, but you’ll pay duty, VAT, and face compliance tests.
How much does it cost to ship to the USA?
Usually $3,000–$5,000 including shipping, duty, and modifications.
Do I need a Carnet de Passages to ride out of India?
Yes, if you plan to cross international borders legally.
Is it legal to export a motorcycle from India?
Yes, with NOC, de-registration, and export certificate from RTO.
Can I sell my exported bike abroad?
In most cases, personal imports are for your use only. Selling may require further compliance or be restricted.
Further Resources
If you want to dive deeper, here are some useful guides, forums, and service pages that expand on the export process. They’re worth a look if you’re serious about taking your Enfield out of India.
- Motozride – Export Services
A Delhi-based company that offers to handle export paperwork and logistics for Royal Enfields to the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and more. Their page outlines their door-to-door service, though details on cost are thin.
👉 Export Your Royal Enfield Bullet From India - Mad or Nomad – Shipping Companies Directory
A curated list of motorcycle shipping agents in India. Useful if you want to contact freight forwarders directly rather than going through a reseller.
👉 India International Motorcycle Shipping Companies - Team-BHP Forum – Exporting to the UK
A long-running discussion thread about exporting bikes from India. Real stories of paperwork, pitfalls, and lessons learned, though some posts are dated.
👉 Exporting a Motorcycle from India to the UK - Horizons Unlimited – Traveller Stories
Several threads where overlanders share their experience shipping Enfields to Europe, Australia, and beyond. Good for first-hand cost reports and route ideas.
👉 Import Royal Enfield from India to Europe
👉 Bringing an Enfield Home from India (Australia/NZ) - Reddit – Rider Experiences
Informal but often eye-opening. Riders discuss hacks, costs, and regulatory hurdles for shipping to the USA and elsewhere.
👉 Importing a Royal Enfield from India to the USA
Final Thoughts
Exporting a Royal Enfield from India isn’t for everyone. It’s slow, costly, and bureaucratic. But for some, it’s worth it. That clunky, oil-stained machine isn’t just a motorcycle. It’s the Himalayas, Rajasthan’s deserts, Goa’s beaches, and a thousand chai stops rolled into one.
If you want to take it home, now you know the road. It won’t be easy, but neither was riding Manali to Leh in a snowstorm. And you did that.
