Shipping bike Oz-UK: paperwork?
 

In a few months I'll be sending my bike from Australia to the UK by sea.

When I arrive in the UK, what sort of customs clearance documents/fees am I likely to encounter?

I believe no carnet is needed; and that the bike can be used fairly liberally within the UK/Europe without needing to register it there, although insurance is needed? Correct?

Once uncrated, and documents completed, can I simply go on my merry way around Europe? (I'll also be taking the bike to Ireland for a lot of my trip - do I need to alert Irish authorities as well?).

If anyone can point me towards some useful web pages I'd appreciate it.

waz the elefantman

Have a look here:

http://www.desertriders.co.uk/

They imported XRL's and have posted the info re: shipping agents and so on.

HTH http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/ubb/smile.gif

Elephantman I will also be shipping a bike to the UK for a ride starting in July. Have you found a good shipping Agent? I've been quoted 35-40 days but told by those experienced in these things that 3 months is more likey. Cheers

Simmo, how much did they quote? I'm planning to ship two XT's to Sydney (from UK) then ride back to Denmark. Interested in hearing what the price is going the other way.

AFrear the quotes I've had so far are about AUD 650 from Melbourne to UK by Sea, I get the crate and not including port charges in the UK.
Airfreight much more as since Sept 11 airlines have changed the rules regarding dangerous goods according to some of the forwarders Ive spoken to. AUD14 per KG or the grossed up volume. About AUD 2000.

By the way how do you get from Denmark to Sweden?

Thanks for the replies folks.

The money you've mentioned is around the ballpark. The main place I've looked for shipping companies is on the shipping page of this excellent site. I got a quote at one stage from World Wide Shipping (mentioned on aforesaid page). I must say they were very helpful. I'm looking to ship from Brisbane and they are in Sydney.

I think six weeks seems to be a fair expectation for Australia-UK by sea.

Having said all this my bike is currently in many pieces, which themselves are in three different towns. But time's a-wastin' for me to head overseas, so the plan is to put the bike back together, get it over there and finish my touring modifications etc. once we're both on the soddy ground of the Old Dart.

Waz the Elefantman
Cagiva Elefant 900
www.elefantman.com

Hej Simmo,

Thx for the quotes. About DK to SE: if I'm on a trip to the north of Sweden then I take ferry from Helsingør to Helsingborg otherwise the bridge from Øresund to Malmö. They both cost around the same price (225 Dkr).

Cheers, Aubrey