Hey all!

Has anyone out there shipped their bike internationally piece by piece? Im looking for some advice on shipping motorcycle parts from NZ to Austria (not Aussie!)
It is a pretty random thing to do, i know, but i have a vintage triumph that i want to ship to Austria and dont want to have to go through the hassle of shipping the bike complete. Since im a bike mechanic i thought i could strip it down and send the engine, frame, tank etc seperately.
What do you guys think?

Sorry this isnt a travel question.... These will come later

I'm not saying it can't be done, but the import category would change. With a motorcycle as a personal possession it makes sense you'd want to import it, ride it, take it home. Motorcycle parts would typically be imported for sale to the customs would ask more questions.

I would also suggest you need to ask about the Austrian version of the TUV, rules vary but in parts of Europe you can't just call yourself a mechanic and build a bike. A whole bike on temporary personal import would only need to meet NZ rules. Would a bike "built" from parts have to a) be assembled by an approved builder, b) meet Austrian regulations, c) pass an Austrian inspection of road worthiness, d) need to be registered.

Andy

I know somebody who did this to import and register a rotary Norton in California, imported the engine as a pump, cycle parts as just that and took the frame in as hand luggage. He managed to get it on the road there, but why you would want to when you can just bring it complete I am not sure.

A rule I fear coming to every european country sometime, via the b-----ds of Brussels

Interesting question – but I think it should be academic rather than practical.

I suspect, although physically possibly, it would fall foul of burocracy at numerous stages, apart from sheer postal costs.

The various packages will be too large to mail as ‘exempt’ from Customs Declarations and therefore will attract the attention of Customs on arrival in the destination country and therefore possible Duty, VAT, Sales tax or other charges depending on their local rules.

The frame, with stamped numbers etc, is the ‘identity’ part of a moto to which there should be a matching Registration document. Again Customs might put 2 and 2 together over this unit and take a greater interest.

Once assembled and on the road the ‘home’ Registration should entitle its owner to use it – but there would be no record of its entry into the Customs zone (eg. at EU exterior border or permitted point of entry) which could present problems if ever stopped by Customs (some countries often do have wandering patrols close to borders) or Police. Being ‘undeclared at entry’ might make its use illegal on public roads and/or invalidate insurance.

This assumes it is put together EXACTLY as the manufacturer’s original specification and its internationally accepted Type Approval or local Inspection Certificate, as was originally required to obtain its home Registration document.

As a secondary consideration, some countries have draconian environment and safety rules that prohibit any modification or fitting of aftermarket parts replacing manufacturer’s originals. I hope you do not lose a single washer or nut in the process and even think of fitting a non standard part! Although tourist vehicles temporararily imported may be exempt this.

If 'they' catch you out on one thing, be sure everything they can find will be used to sex-up the case against you.

I would love to have such a bike (again! - I once briefly had an early T120 Bonneville) but would even more hate to have it confiscated and destroyed.

My advice would be to ship it in as a temporarily imported tourist vehicle and avoid all the potential problems.

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When we freight our bike we always strip it down to reduce the 'volumetric weight'

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Thank you everyone for your advise. The only reason i thought about going down this path is i looked into importing my 49 Ajs 500 but it got far too complicated so i gave up and sold it. I dont want to have to give up on my '23 Triumph SD aswell so im exploring every avenue.
Gee, i hope i can still call myself a motorcycle mechanic?! I know i have to take my qualification into the local trade union and get it translated first
The biggest problem if i import it whole is that i have no proof of purchase or documents. The bike is not road registered as it will need some work first.
Looks like it is back to the drawing board for me.....

Oh, i should mention that this is a one way move for me... I wont be going back to NZ.

In which case I would advise doing the work and getting it registered where you are and you understand the rules which, no disrespect to NZ, are probably far less complex than in Europe.

Then bring it to Europe as a temporary tourist. Then it should be easier to get it registered in Europe as a transfer from a NZ registration. You might be liable for duty and technical inspections but having an existing registration will greatly help you.

An alternative could be to get it shipped to UK then, with the help of the Triumph M/c Owners Club get its authenticity and identity confirmed and registered there. After that it should be relatively simple to transfer registrationto other EU states. You will have other difficulties about UK residency but I am sure others will help providing you with an address.

I now realise cost should not be an issue - and that it is too valuable to risk doing it wrongly.


What became of the AJS? I hope it has a good home.

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Thanks Tony,
i wouldnt worry about disrespecting NZ and its "simple" ways... Im sick of the place! Hence, im leaving
Im not sure getting the bike registered first would be any good as i have to cancel the rego and hand in the plates before leaving NZ as the bike will not be coming back. The only benefit i can see is that the rego will give me a proof of ownership that may help with customes at the other end?
Im sure this kind of thing is done all the time.... People buying projects from one country and shipping it to a different country?
Selling the AJS was a heartbreaking thing to do but im sure it has gone to a good home here in NZ.