Shipping Motorcycles To Australia

1. How To Ship Your Motorcycle To Or From Australia
2. Shipping Cost
3. Temporary Licensing for your Motorcycle
4. Needed Documents
5. Relevant Statistics
6. General Facts
7. Shipping Methods

There are different reasons why you may want to ship your motorcycle to Australia. Whether you are moving to Lucky Country permanently or just want to go and enjoy a holiday in the Great Southern Land, here are things to know about shipping bikes to Australia.

How To Ship Your Motorcycle To Or From Australia

Typical Shipping Prices – How Much Does It Cost?

• The cost of shipping a motorcycle to Australia from United States is around $1450 to $2150.
• Though container shipping is the safest option, there would be additional costs of import duties and other taxes that have to be considered.

The Commonwealth of Australia is a country that covers the Australian continent’s mainland. It includes Tasmania and other smaller yet adjacent islands. Considered to be the 6^th largest country in the world, the neighboring countries include Indonesia, East Timor, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea.

Traversing the wilderness and the modern cities of Australia on a motorcycle can enhance the experience. Thus, if you are planning to travel around or move here for work or study, it makes for a better decision to have your motorcycle imported from USA.

Shipping Cost

You can only ship a motorcycle over to Australia from the United States after seeking the approval to import of the Australian Department of Infrastructure and Transport. As long as your motorcycle meets the required criteria, there won't be restrictions and your permit will be issued. If you are calculating the total cost of shipping the motorcycle, you will need to factor in the 10% GST that is applicable while there is no import duty.

Temporary Licensing for your Motorcycle

Any motorcycle coming to Australia for the first time will require an import permit that is issued by the Department of Road Transport in Canberra. If you import a motorcycle before gaining the permit, the bike will be held by Australian Customs Authority until you obtain the permit. While waiting on the paperwork, your motorcycle will be placed in storage and you will be asked to make payment for the storage fees. If your motorcycle will be exported back out of Australia within 12 months of arriving, you will not need to have an importation permit as this is considered a temporary import. Your motorcycle will be able to come into Australia by a carnet which is like having a passport for your vehicle with somewhat of a guarantee. To get a temporary permit, you simply need the detailed information provided on the title. We are A1 Auto Transport Service and our dynamic network of shipping agents in US and Australia will provide you with all the information you need to import.

Needed Documents

With strong diplomatic and trade relations, shipping a motorcycle from USA to Australia isn’t difficult. Irrespective of whether you need a Honda, Ducati, Victory, or Saxon imported, here's a checklist of what you will need to have the following documents or copies of as requirements in order to progress through the vehicle import approval process:

• Purchase invoice for the motorcycle
• Quarantine packing declaration
• Bill of Lading
• Proof of insurance
• Passport or driver’s license with photo ID

The Customs Department in both the countries needs to ensure that the vehicle being exported or imported is as per the legal regulations. That is why ownership and validity of the import is verified.

Relevant Statistics

• Over 10,000 motorcycles are shipped to Australia each year from various countries.
• Approximately 95% of motorcycle shipments to Australia are done via sea freight.
• The average cost to ship a motorcycle to Australia is $1,200 USD.
• More than 80% of motorcycles imported to Australia come from Japan.
• It takes an average of 30 days for a motorcycle to be shipped from Europe to Australia.

General Facts

• Shipping a motorcycle to Australia requires careful planning and adherence to import regulations.
• The motorcycle needs to be securely packed and crated before shipping.
• Customs duties, taxes, and fees may apply when importing a motorcycle into Australia.
• It is important to choose a reputable shipping company that specializes in transporting motorcycles.
• Prior to shipping, documentation such as a valid license, vehicle registration, and proof of ownership must be prepared.

Shipping Methods

Shipping your motorcycle is not something to take lightly. Another method that you can choose is the Roll-On/Roll-Off shipping method. With this method, you will need to keep in mind the following rules:

• You cannot have any personal effects on the bike - no riding gear or saddlebags
• Inspect your bike to look for any leaking fluids like oil or water. There will not be any leaking tolerated and if leaking is discovered, your motorcycle will be taken off the ship until you have the leaks repaired. This will be an extra expense for you.
• Only 1/4 tank of gas is allowed inside the tank
• Your motorcycle must be in good enough condition to be able to be driven on the road if using this method of shipping.
• Keys must be left in the starter switch.
• Your motorcycle must be cleaned all around and underneath. If not, your bike will most likely set in quarantine until it is cleaned at your expense and then wait for an available date to reload it again.

Container shipment is another option albeit it may be more expensive. If you have put a significant amount of money into your motorcycle you might be concerned about how well it is guarded. It can be created before being placed in a shipping container. A 20- or 40-foot container may easily accommodate your motorcycle for shipping. While personal items cannot be shipped with your motorcycle via the Roll On/Roll Off method the container can be packed to the brim with your other goods. It's important to hire professional shippers because they will use their expertise to facilitate a hassle-free shipping process.

A1 Auto Transport is a professional auto shipping company with over two decades of experience in the auto shipping business. We ship cars and vehicles for customers to and from different parts of the world including Australia. Do you have questions about shipping motorbikes to Australia? Whether you are shipping the whole bike or parts, our customer service team is ready to provide more tips.