Part 2
The story so far is that I've decided to have an Ascot TT built by Jack
Lilley. I make enquiries
about importing the bike. Hong Kong does not
have a Triumph dealership at the moment, so this story also covers matters
relating to the personal import of motorcycles to Hong Kong, including dealing
with EPD, Customs & Excise and Transport Department.
Personal
Import of Motorcycles to Hong Kong
I've
created an MS Word 7.0 doc. with a summary of the whole process you need
to go through to do a personal import of a motorcycle into Hong Kong.
If
you'd like a copy, or click on the icon to
download directly.
I'd spoken to Hamish Hughson of
honkongbikes.com
about importing an
Ascot to Hong Kong.
A-Wed 07-02-2001 11:04
I just spoke to Hamish at
hongkongbikes.com about importing and
pre-registration testing here in HK. He says they are quite strict on
emission and noise standards. Would the Ascot mods meet current UK
equivalent standards for First Registration? If not, we could probably
get round it by importing with standard pipes and putting the Ascot ones
after.
S-Thu 08-02-2001 23:48
The best way, if you are interested in one, would be to have a Legend
as standard and convert there after registering. The Triumph should not
be too much of a problem getting sorted out since the factory are pretty
much up to speed with all the paperwork.
The silencers
of course are not UK legal, you would need to have them altered there.
The seat tail unit need not be re
fitted; I was thinking more of the
exhaust and carbs, if you went that route.
A-Sat 10-02-2001 0:49
One small detail concerning registration. The documents from Triumph
or yourselves would have to show the colour as "silver" and
the seating capacity as "one", to avoid any hassle at this
end. Apart from that there is no difference in the paperwork that would
accompany a standard off-the-line Legend.
S-Mon 12-02-2001 19:57
I don't see a problem, I have e-mailed Hamish to see if this is OK with him. He will be doing most of the running around to get it
passed for road use.
It is actually a dual seat. The rear cowl covers an occasional
pillion.
Very occasional!
Just a thought as to if it might be worth registering the bike here
under a personal export deal?
A-Tue 13-02-2001 1:30
Hamish has yet to quote for the import and registration package, but
whatever he says, I will go ahead. Yes, I can do it as a personal import
to HK and I could do this without having to register it in UK first (at
least I think so). I did do a personal import and registration of a MGB
Roadster I owned 13 years ago.
The main thing is that you do the building, EXCEPT the silencers and
carbs, so that they can be done here after registration.
S-Tue 13-02-2001 20:55
No problem have that under control. I expect we will well under way
with
the build when you are here.
Dealing
with the Environmental Protection Department
Meanwhile,
I'd written to Hamish at hongkongbikes.com about them being involved in
receiving the Ascot and he'd replied emphasising the difficulties that could
be encountered with importing because of the extra testing that is required to
comply with legislation on noise and emission standards, so after making my
own enquiries and looking at the Hong Kong government departments' websites, I
wrote to Hamish again:
A-HH Sat 17-02-2001 0:59
Yes, it seems I will have to do this as a personal import. That way,
according to the info sheets EPD put out and a chat I had with their guy
today, I will be able to claim exemption form the noise and emission
tests.
There is an exemption category for:
(a) vehicles imported by personal importer (i.e. not commercial)
(b) brand new or less than 500 kms on clock, used less than six
months and not more than 12 months since manufacture
(c) from a country where the standards match HK's
(d) can only do once in five years.
I would then pay the 40% (on the Triumph MRP) to Customs, get the
Transport
Dept. vehicle exam and register it.
Transport
Department Guidelines on Importing a Motor Vehicle to HK
A-Sat 17-02-2001 0:59
Seems I will have to do a personal import of the Legend into HK (see
my cc. e-mail to Hamish).
To show the Environmental Protection Dept. that the bike complies
with noise and emission standards, I will need documentary evidence from
you or Triumph to show compliance with European standards on:
(a) noise level of exhaust silencers
(b) emission levels
For the vehicle first registration tax in Hong Kong, I have to show a
receipt for the value of the bike. This is normally the MRP.
S-Sat 17-02-2001 1:46
The paperwork should be no problem from the factory, I already
have the contact for it.
Will you need to have the bike registered in the UK for personal
export or can we manage without? It would certainly make life a tad easier for us if we did not have to
register on export plates.
I will sort out exactly what we need to do on invoicing later, it
is no problem, the computer will handle it I'm sure!!
A-Sat 17-02-2001 12:06
The first hurdle here is the Environmental Protection Department (EPD).
To grant the exemption from noise and emission tests, they need to be
convinced I'm importing the bike PERSONALLY for me.
Obviously, having it
registered in my name in the UK first would make that easy to prove.
However, they are not going to demand it. The guy I spoke to
said he would accept a copy of
the invoice in my name as proof that it was mine. Meanwhile, perhaps a
letter from you acknowledging my order for the basic Legend, together
with a pro forma invoice would be fine.
Can you post the documents on noise and emission standard compliance
to me as soon as you get them? Then I can apply for the exemption.
S-Tue 20-02-2001 21:07
Have been in touch with the factory and they are posting the noise
and emission paperwork to me. As soon as it arrives I will forward
to you so that your chaps can make sure it is all in order.
Steve's
contact is Julie Baker in Triumph Homologation. {Yes, new
word for me too: Oxford Dictionary says, "acknowledge, admit,
confirm, accept, agree." Homologous meaning, "having the same
relation, relative position."} Julie sent all the diagrams and
papers relating to Triumph's submission of the Legend in UK and Europe
for compliance with both noise 97/24/EC Chap. 9 and emission
standards 97/24/EC Chap. 5.
I will not be able to do the invoice for a few days.
S-Tue 27-02-2001 20:52
We are sending you by Swift Air the documents from Triumph and I
have also enclosed an invoice, which I hope will satisfy your
customs people.
Please let me know if there are any problems.
A-Sat 03-03-2001 23:54
The papers arrived today on the noise and emissions. Excellent.
Exactly the information I need to fill in and submit the exemption
form.
(or
so I thought!)
Exemption from EPD Testing
Not
exciting, but necessary is keeping the Mandarins
happy about the import to Hong Kong ....
A-Mon 05-03-2001 17:43
Trying to keep the bureaucrats happy - real Mandarins!
They are requesting:
(1) A "Vehicle Identification Certificate" issued by
Triumph in respect of the individual bike showing the frame and engine
numbers and the date in came off the production line
(must be less than 12 months from the date it arrive in Hong Kong, so
hope Triumph don't store them for too long)
(2) A "Certificate of Conformity" issued by Triumph in
respect of the individual bike showing that it conforms to the noise and
emission standards
The information is (2) is exactly the same as in the papers you sent
me, I know, but they want a brief summary on one piece of paper
particular to my bike.
S-Mon 05-03-2001 23:14
Have been in touch with the factory today and sent a copy of your
request to them. The person concerned may not be in the office
until later this week, but it is all in hand.
A-Thu 15-03-2001 0:40
Letter from Triumph with the "birthdate" and certification
of the bike arrived today. Did you know it was made on 24.10.2000?
Thanks for arranging it.
A-Fri 30-03-2001 8:20
Looks like I'm going to get the exemption from the noise and
emissions test by the Environmental Protection Department. That only
leaves the basic Transport Dept. test prior to registration. I'll try
and find out how strict that is; if it's not too strict and doesn't
include physical noise and emission checks, then we may be able to have
the carbs and exhausts fitted before shipping. Do the exhausts have the
embossed mark saying they do not comply with EU conditions or not?
S-Sat 31-03-2001 0:59
The silencers have nothing written on them.
Let me know if you think you can sneak it past the authorities and
I'll
have the carbs fitted here. Might be as well not to fit the silencers
though
they are a touch loud.
A-Sat 31-03-2001 1:58
As soon as I get confirmation of the exemption, I'll let you know. I
hope I do. I'd rather you set up the carbs.
I'll also confirm exactly what they test when they do the
pre-registration test. If there are no labels on the pipes, as you say,
they may not be a problem either. A lot of wise monkeys here ..... see
no, hear no etc etc.
EPD
Exemption Letter
EPD in Hong Kong have granted exemption from noise and emission testing.
This means only the normal pre-registration and licensing test by
Transport Dept. on arrival in Hong Kong.
A-Mon 09-04-2001 12:48
Great
news! Just got a phone call from the guy I've been dealing with in EPD. My
exemption has been granted. I pick up the letter this afternoon.
What
do you think? Yes, I reckon it'll be OK to fit the carbs at your end, but
leave the exhausts / silencers for fitting by Mr Wong at Sea Island after the
bike has been tested, registered and licensed. Please do paint the bell mouths
in Satin Black.
A-Mon 09-04-2001 15:37
That's
the one!
S-Mon 09-04-2001 18:43
Thanks
for sending a copy of the certificate, good news indeed.
Vehicle
Examination
Vehicles
imported into Hong Kong require a vehicle examination by Transport Department
before registration. There is only one centre for motorcycle examinations. It
is in Kwai Chung North next to Lei Muk Sue Police Station. Not only is it
out-of-the-way, you can only make test appointments in person, at which time
you pay the fee of HK$320. Has the Transport Department not yet entered the
electronic age?
I originally
had a test booked and paid for on 5th July, but this fell by the way when the
Ascot arrived in Hong Kong without the keys! (see Part
11). This is probably just
as well since there was a No. 8 typhoon about to arrive in Hong Kong.
When we
finally got the keys on 10th July, Sea Island arranged a test - by telephone
(seems they accept telephone booking after all from dealers they know!) - Mr
Wong took the Ascot up in a truck. Guess what? It failed. Nothing to do with
all the mods; just that the Mecatwin rear body parts do not include the
required rear reflector.
Registration
is delayed by another day.
Finally Registered
And here's a copy of
the Vehicle Registration Document, issued on 13th July 2001, to prove it -
KD1731.
Continue
.... 
