Ship a motorcycle from the USA to the United Kingdom
Experience the UK’s world-class roads on your own bike with AA Motorcycle Shipping. We coordinate door-to-port shipping from any US address to Southampton via weekly RoRo sailings from 8 US ports (with East Coast transit taking just 25 to 30 days), handling the entire journey start-to-finish since 1983.
Or call 1-888-347-1391 — available 7 days a week
8 US departure ports — weekly RoRo sailings to Southampton
Weekly RoRo sailings to Southampton are available from all 8 US departure ports. We pick up your motorcycle from anywhere in the continental United States and route it to the most practical departure port for your location — East Coast riders reach Southampton in 25 to 30 days, while West Coast departures from Long Beach run 40 to 50 days across the Atlantic.
Newark, NJ
Northeast US — East Coast transit applies
Baltimore, MD
Mid-Atlantic US — East Coast transit applies
Newport News, VA
Mid-Atlantic US — East Coast transit applies
Charleston, SC
Southeast US — East Coast transit applies
Jacksonville, FL
Southeast US — East Coast transit applies
Brunswick, GA
Southeast US — East Coast transit applies
Galveston, TX
Gulf Coast US
Long Beach, CA
West Coast US — 40–50 day transit
East Coast and Gulf departures reach Southampton in approximately 25–30 days. West Coast departures from Long Beach run approximately 40–50 days. If timing matters, East Coast routing is the faster option regardless of where you are in the US.
Arrival port — Southampton, England
All motorcycle shipments from the USA to the United Kingdom arrive at the Port of Southampton on England’s south coast — the UK’s single designated arrival port for this route and one of the most active passenger and cargo ports in Britain.
Port of Southampton
Hampshire, England — central south coast
One of the UK’s busiest and best-connected ports, handling a high volume of vehicle and passenger traffic from the United States weekly. Located in Hampshire on England’s central south coast — roughly midway between London to the northeast and the West Country to the west. The appointed recipient collects the motorcycle at Southampton after customs clearance and pays any applicable UK import duties and VAT on-site.
Transit time — USA to the United Kingdom
The UK has one of the clearer transit time splits of any destination we serve — East Coast and West Coast departures produce noticeably different crossing times due to the Atlantic distance from each coast.
East Coast & Gulf ports → Southampton
25–30 days
Newark / Baltimore / Newport News / Charleston / Jacksonville / Brunswick / Galveston
West Coast (Long Beach) → Southampton
40–50 days
Long Beach, CA — significantly longer Atlantic crossing from the Pacific coast
The process starts at your US address. We send an enclosed truck to your home, storage unit, or dealership and transport your motorcycle to the designated departure port. Once at the US port, your bike is checked in, export documentation is processed, and it’s loaded onto the next weekly RoRo sailing to Southampton.
At Southampton, the customs broker AA Motorcycle Shipping assigns handles the UK import clearance process. Post-Brexit, the UK operates its own customs system entirely separate from the EU — UK import duty and UK VAT apply to motorcycles imported from the United States. Your assigned broker knows the Southampton customs process and handles clearance on your behalf.
From Southampton, your bike is yours to ride. London is roughly 80 miles northeast. The New Forest is on the doorstep. The West Country — Devon and Cornwall — is a straightforward ride west. Scotland is a day’s ride north. The UK’s road network connects Southampton to every corner of Britain efficiently, so wherever your final destination is, collection at Southampton is a practical starting point.
RoRo vs container shipping — which is right for your UK shipment?
RoRo is the standard and most widely used method for UK-bound motorcycle shipments from the USA. Southampton handles both RoRo and container traffic routinely — the choice comes down to your bike’s value and your priorities for the crossing.
RoRo — Roll-On/Roll-Off
Standard — the method AA uses for UK shipments
Your motorcycle is ridden onto the vessel at the US port and secured on the car deck, fully enclosed within the hull for the entire Atlantic crossing to Southampton. RoRo offers guaranteed weekly departure dates and set arrival windows — 25 to 30 days from East Coast ports, 40 to 50 days from Long Beach.
Container Shipping
Premium — vintage, collector & high-value motorcycles
Your motorcycle is loaded into an enclosed steel shipping container for the Atlantic crossing — the maximum protection available for the ocean leg. Southampton is a major container port with well-established handling infrastructure, so container shipping to the UK integrates smoothly into the port’s routine.
From your US address to the departure port
Every UK shipment starts on US soil — an enclosed truck run from your location to the departure port. With East Coast ports offering the fastest Atlantic crossing, riders on the West Coast sometimes find it worth routing to an East Coast departure port to shave time off the overall journey.
Documents required to ship a motorcycle to the United Kingdom
UK documentation requirements are straightforward. Have everything ready before booking — missing paperwork at the departure port risks losing your sailing date.
- Bill of sale
- Customs clearance broker — assigned by AA Motorcycle Shipping at booking (contact details provided on your Document Receipt)
Military personnel at RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, or other UK installations should also coordinate with their unit’s TMO/PPO office for any PCS-related documentation. Call us at 1-888-347-1391 with any documentation questions before booking.
What to expect when your motorcycle clears UK customs
The United Kingdom left the European Union in 2020 — UK customs now operates entirely independently from EU regulations. Motorcycles imported from the USA into the UK are subject to UK import duty and UK VAT, not EU external tariff rates. This distinction matters and affects how your shipment is processed at Southampton.
AA Motorcycle Shipping assigns a licensed UK customs clearance broker to your shipment at booking. The broker’s name and contact details appear on your Document Receipt. At Southampton, the broker handles the post-Brexit UK import clearance process on your behalf — submitting the required documentation, managing the UK customs declaration, and coordinating the release of your motorcycle from the port.
The recipient — or an authorized representative — collects the motorcycle at Southampton after clearance and pays any applicable UK import duty and UK VAT on-site. UK import duty on motorcycles from the USA and UK VAT are calculated based on the declared value of the motorcycle at the time of import. We do not publish specific duty or VAT estimates as rates are subject to change under UK trade regulations.
If you are a UK resident relocating back to the UK with your motorcycle as a personal possession, UK customs may allow for Transfer of Residence (ToR) relief, which can reduce or eliminate import duty in certain circumstances. We recommend checking eligibility with a UK customs specialist or HMRC directly — this is outside the scope of what AA Motorcycle Shipping manages, but it can make a meaningful difference on a high-value motorcycle.
Shipping a motorcycle from the USA to the United Kingdom — four steps
One arrival port, weekly sailings, post-Brexit customs handled by your assigned broker — the UK route is straightforward once you understand the transit time difference between East Coast and West Coast departures.
Request a quote
Fill out our international quote form with your bike’s year, make, and model, your US pickup zip, and the United Kingdom as the destination. Mention your UK destination region — it helps us advise on the best departure port for your timing. Military members should mention their installation. Or call 1-888-347-1391.
Pickup at your US address
We dispatch an enclosed truck to your home, storage unit, or base housing anywhere in the continental United States. Your motorcycle is secured and delivered to the departure port. If you’re on the West Coast but want the faster East Coast transit window, we can route your pickup.
Weekly RoRo sailing to Southampton
Your motorcycle is loaded onto the next available weekly RoRo sailing to Southampton. East Coast and Gulf departures arrive in 25 to 30 days. Long Beach departures arrive in 40 to 50 days. Guaranteed departure and arrival dates on all RoRo sailings.
Collection at Southampton
Your assigned UK customs broker handles post-Brexit import clearance at Southampton. You or your representative collects the motorcycle, pays any applicable UK import duty and VAT on-site, and rides out. London is 80 miles east. The New Forest is right there. Scotland is a day north.
Shipping motorcycles from the USA to the United Kingdom since 1983
The United Kingdom has a motorcycle culture that goes back to the origin of the machine — Triumph, Norton, BSA, Vincent, Royal Enfield — and it remains one of the most enthusiastic riding nations in Europe despite the weather. The Scottish Highlands offer some of the most dramatic riding on the planet: the North Coast 500, the roads around Loch Ness, Glen Coe, the roads of Skye.
Post-Brexit, the UK’s customs system is now entirely distinct from the EU. Motorcycles imported from the United States into the UK are processed under UK trade regulations — not the EU external tariff that applies in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and other European destinations. This matters practically: the broker AA Motorcycle Shipping assigns for UK shipments handles UK import clearance specifically, not generic European procedures.
US military personnel stationed at RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, RAF Croughton, and other UK installations are a consistent part of our UK volume. PCS moves to the UK follow the same process as civilian shipments — we pick up from your US address, ship to Southampton, and your assigned broker handles clearance. Military and Veteran discounts apply.
One practical note for US-spec motorcycles going to the UK: Britain drives on the left. A US-spec bike with the headlight aimed for right-hand traffic will need headlight beam adjustment for UK road legality. This is a straightforward modification that a UK dealer or mechanic can handle after collection at Southampton.
Every motorcycle type — shipped to the UK
American iron heading to Britain, vintage British bikes being repatriated, Japanese sport bikes, European tourers — we ship everything. The UK’s varied terrain suits virtually every motorcycle type.
- Harley-Davidson (all models — very popular UK import)
- Triumph, Norton, Royal Enfield (British brands returning home)
- Sport bikes & supersports
- Cruisers & touring bikes
- Adventure & dual-sport bikes
- Vintage & classic motorcycles
- Custom builds
- Electric motorcycles
- Trikes & sidecars
Shipping an electric motorcycle or oversized configuration to the UK? Call us before booking — some configurations have specific ocean freight handling requirements. Also note that US-spec headlights will need beam adjustment for UK left-hand traffic after arrival — a quick job for a local mechanic at Southampton or your UK destination.
How to pay for your UK motorcycle shipment
We accept a wide range of payment methods for international shipments to the United Kingdom.
- Zelle
- Venmo
- Bank of America deposit
- Wire transfer
- Cashier’s check
- Regular check
- Credit card
- Debit card
We also ship motorcycles to these European countries
The United Kingdom is one of more than ten European destinations we serve with weekly sailings from US ports. Shipping to mainland Europe after your UK stint? We handle all of these routes with direct port access.
Belgium
View detailsFrance
View detailsGermany
View detailsGreece
View detailsItaly
View detailsNetherlands
View detailsNorway
View detailsSpain
View detailsSweden
View detailsSwitzerland
View detailsGoogle reviews — AA Motorcycle Shipping
“My experience with AA Motorcycle Shipping was excellent. My Softail HD is spotless with no blemishes — it was picked up in Wisconsin and dropped off in California in the same condition. The staff and drivers were kind and professional. I would highly recommend them.”
Shipping a motorcycle from the USA to the United Kingdom — common questions
Post-Brexit customs, left-hand traffic, and the East Coast vs West Coast transit split generate the most questions on the UK route. We’ve covered them all below.
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How much does it cost to ship a motorcycle from the USA to the United Kingdom?
Cost depends on your US pickup location, your motorcycle’s year, make, and model, and whether you choose RoRo or container shipping. East Coast departures are generally more cost-effective than West Coast departures for UK-bound shipments. We don’t publish flat international rates — every shipment is priced individually. Submit your quote request or call 1-888-347-1391 for pricing specific to your bike and departure location.
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How long does it take to ship a motorcycle from the USA to the United Kingdom?
Transit time from the US departure port to Southampton depends on which coast you’re departing from. East Coast and Gulf port departures — Newark, Baltimore, Newport News, Charleston, Jacksonville, Brunswick, and Galveston — reach Southampton in approximately 25 to 30 days. West Coast departures from Long Beach, CA take approximately 40 to 50 days. These figures are from the US departure port and do not include domestic transit from your pickup location. If timing is a priority, East Coast routing is faster regardless of where in the US you are.
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How does Brexit affect motorcycle shipping from the USA to the UK?
Since leaving the European Union in 2020, the UK operates its own independent customs system. Motorcycles imported from the United States into the UK are subject to UK import duty and UK VAT — not the EU external tariff that applies in countries like Germany, France, or Spain. In practical terms, this means your shipment is processed under UK customs regulations at Southampton. The broker AA Motorcycle Shipping assigns handles post-Brexit UK import clearance specifically. The process is well-established at Southampton — the port handles US motorcycle imports weekly.
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I’m PCSing to a UK military installation — can AA handle my shipment?
Yes — we handle PCS motorcycle shipments to UK installations including RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, RAF Croughton, and others. The process is the same as a civilian shipment — pickup at your US address, shipping to Southampton, and UK customs clearance by your assigned broker. Military and Veteran discounts are available. Get a quote online first, then call 1-888-347-1391 to apply the discount. Coordinate with your unit’s TMO/PPO office for any PCS documentation requirements alongside your booking.
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What documents do I need to ship a motorcycle to the United Kingdom?
You’ll need the bill of sale for your motorcycle. AA Motorcycle Shipping assigns a licensed UK customs clearance broker at booking — their details are on your Document Receipt. The broker manages the UK import clearance process at Southampton on your behalf. Military personnel should also coordinate with their TMO/PPO office for any PCS-specific documentation requirements.
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How do UK customs and import duties work at Southampton?
Your assigned UK customs broker handles post-Brexit import clearance at Southampton. The recipient settles any applicable UK import duty and UK VAT on-site at the port after clearance. Duty and VAT amounts are calculated based on the declared value of the motorcycle and UK import regulations in force at the time of arrival. If you’re a UK resident relocating back with the motorcycle, Transfer of Residence (ToR) relief may apply — check with HMRC or a UK customs specialist for eligibility guidance.
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Will my US-spec motorcycle need modifications for UK roads?
The UK drives on the left. A US-spec motorcycle with a headlight aimed for right-hand traffic will need the headlight beam adjusted for UK road legality — this is a legal requirement for riding on UK public roads. It’s a straightforward adjustment that a UK dealer or mechanic can handle after you collect at Southampton. AA Motorcycle Shipping handles the transport — the headlight adjustment is a local job on the UK end. We recommend arranging it before your first ride.
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How should I prepare my motorcycle for the UK shipment?
Reduce the fuel level to a quarter tank or below before pickup. Disconnect the battery, disable any alarm system, and remove all personal items and loose accessories from the bike. Photograph the motorcycle thoroughly from every angle before pickup day to document its condition. We send a complete pre-shipment checklist when you book so nothing gets missed before the truck arrives.
Ready to ship your motorcycle from the USA to the United Kingdom?
Weekly RoRo sailings to Southampton. East Coast transit 25 to 30 days. Post-Brexit customs handled by your assigned broker. One company, start to finish.
Get an international shipping quote →Or call 1-888-347-1391 — available 7 days a week. Live chat also available.