Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Trip Paperwork
Trip Paperwork Covers all documentation, carnets, customs and country requirements, how to deal with insurance etc.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 18 Mar 2009
discoenduro's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 132
Australian Motorbike Import

I'm an Aussie permanent resident and UK citizen. The Vehicle Imports Administration in Canberra have approved the import of my XT600.

I had to provide a full copy of my passport, copy V5, copy receipt/proof of purchase (in my case, emails between me and the seller on HUBB were sufficient) and a statement of travel (i.e. you state that the bike's been in your ownership for at least 12 months. You also state the dates you've been in and out of your home country over the past 12 months).

It cost AUD50 and took four weeks to process the application.

Shipping it, customs and Victorian rego all add to costs significantly. I just don't want to sell my XT, cos it's farkled to the limit. It'd be worth it if you were importing the new Tenere or similar.

Hope this helps someone in future.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 18 Mar 2009
Xander's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Back Down Under (WA)
Posts: 562
Quote:
Originally Posted by discoenduro View Post
I'm an Aussie permanent resident and UK citizen. The Vehicle Imports Administration in Canberra have approved the import of my XT600.

I had to provide a full copy of my passport, copy V5, copy receipt/proof of purchase (in my case, emails between me and the seller on HUBB were sufficient) and a statement of travel (i.e. you state that the bike's been in your ownership for at least 12 months. You also state the dates you've been in and out of your home country over the past 12 months).

It cost AUD50 and took four weeks to process the application.

Shipping it, customs and Victorian rego all add to costs significantly. I just don't want to sell my XT, cos it's farkled to the limit. It'd be worth it if you were importing the new Tenere or similar.

Hope this helps someone in future.
Glad to hear you got it though. My application goes off soon. Did you have to get all your photocopies signed by someone to prove they are real?
__________________
2000 Africa Twin
http://two-up-ona-twin.blogspot.com
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 18 Mar 2009
discoenduro's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: UK
Posts: 132
That's right, but I got a nice lady at the local post office to sign the copy document to 'certify' it. Not exactly to the letter of the law, but adequate for the purposes of the administrator at Vehicle Imports...and didn't cost me anything.

Good luck, where are you moving to? Me, i'm off to Melbourne.

I had been hoping to ride there, but the missus has a sprog in the box, so I eventually had to turn the rational part of my brain on...wasn't easy.

Mike
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 18 Mar 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Bribie Island Australia
Posts: 678
You can clear the bike through customs and quarantine yourself - its not difficult. Customs are very helpful and will make sure you fill in the correct forms and get the right duty codes.

Usual process is to pay the shipping company port costs, they give you a release order, then go and pay any duty and GST - cutoms give you a release order, book and pay for a quarantine inspection at the same time as you pay the duty. Bear in mind that you pay 10% duty on the value of the bike, then add the duty to the value of the bike to pay 10% GST, then pay 10% GST on the shipping costs as well. Its often a shock when all the taxes are added - another 23% to 26%.

Be at the shipping company when the quarantine give it the once over inspection, quarantine then give you a release or an order for further cleaning. Just be aware that unless the shipping company has approved cleaning facilities you have to get the bike transported to an approved cleaning facility if it needs a clean - big $$$ start to crop up now as the transport companies know they have you by the nuts. If the bike needs a clean you pay for that and another inspection. SO MAKE SURE ITS CLEAN LIKE NEW.

Clean the bike thoroughly before crating it up - no mud, no seeds, no bits of grass, even put insect killers in the crate. Aus quarantine are paranoid about vehicles ex UK because of the foot & mouth - only 'cos the UK reports it whilst the rest of the world ignores it!! I'd even "create" an invoice from a cleaning company stating its been cleaned and disinfected to AQIS standards.

After all thats done you can get the bike out of the customs area.

Legally you cant ride it on the road until you get the personal import plate fitted by the engineer certifying that the bike complies with Australian Design Rules. You need a trailer or a Traders Plate. The ADRs are about what must be fitted to the bike - he wont check they work. You can download the ADRs from the Aus Attorney General's website.

Once you get the import plate you can buy daily insurance and unregistered vehicle permits or use a trailer to get the vehicle a road worthy certificate - this is when the items that must be on the bike are checked to see if they work properly.

Then off to Vic Roads to get new number plates and pay the rego and third party. They'll check all the paperwork - import approval, V5, your ID, bike VIN.

Best of luck - the paperwork after the import is a lot harder than dealing with customs.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 31 Mar 2009
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: margaret river
Posts: 1
Hmmmmm,

my gs adv arrived yesterday. only found out about the GST charge today after being told by vehicle imports in Canberra that there was no charge applicable.
seems to be that you spend quite bit of time trying to find out the truths to these things.
good to find out about the AQIS standards though. i paid for the shipping company to have this dealt with before it was crated so i hope it will pass through with no problems.
thyanks for the forward info. very helpfull. will post with any tips of my own when the process gets started.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 31 Mar 2009
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Bribie Island Australia
Posts: 678
The Koalas who work for Vimports in Canberra are hopeless - NEVER rely on anything they say or do. Check the Import Approval against the details that you have provided - one added or missing digit on your VIN can mean months of being stuffed around trying to get a new Import Approval issued - whilst your vehicle sits on a wharf accruing storage costs.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 1 Apr 2009
farqhuar's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Oztralia
Posts: 646
I guess I've been lucky with quarantine. I've brought 3 vehicles back to Oz, each one absolutely filthy dirty and each time AQIS has cleared it without question. Most recent import was October last year.

Garry from Oz.
__________________
Garry from Oz - powered by Burgman
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 2 Apr 2009
Xander's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Back Down Under (WA)
Posts: 562
Quote:
Originally Posted by farqhuar View Post
I guess I've been lucky with quarantine. I've brought 3 vehicles back to Oz, each one absolutely filthy dirty and each time AQIS has cleared it without question. Most recent import was October last year.

Garry from Oz.
What port (airport) did you bring it in to? Anything that will make import easier is a good thing!
__________________
2000 Africa Twin
http://two-up-ona-twin.blogspot.com
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 3 Apr 2009
farqhuar's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Oztralia
Posts: 646
Quote:
Originally Posted by Xander View Post
What port (airport) did you bring it in to? Anything that will make import easier is a good thing!
Port of Melbourne Xander. I found sea shipping a lot easier (and cheaper), and since I was coming home each time the extra time the bike was on the ship was not a problem.

For my most recent import, when I brought my Burgman back in October last year I did the customs clearance at the office in docklands and scheduled the AQIS inspection for 2 days later. I arranged to be there when AQIS arrived (so I could answer any questions and if necessary, plead my case as to why the bike shouldn't be steamcleaned), but when I arrived at the warehouse I was told AQIS had arrived early and had already completed the inspection and everything was Ok.

Garry from Oz.
__________________
Garry from Oz - powered by Burgman
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Australian army XT 600 Nadz Yamaha Tech 1 11 Feb 2009 07:28
Import Tax; SADEC; Temporary Import ClrScr sub-Saharan Africa 0 20 Oct 2007 11:20
Import UK england price tax duty motorbike customs getalexfr Trip Transport 4 26 Nov 2006 10:18
Australian permanent import city2surf Australia / New Zealand 6 8 Nov 2003 06:59
Australian Visa simonrjames Trip Paperwork 1 23 Jun 2003 19:53

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 02:15.