Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Planning, Trip > Trip Paperwork
buying in UK, selling in Australia buying in UK, selling in Australia
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Trip Paperwork Covers all documentation, carnets, customs and country requirements, how to deal with insurance etc.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

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


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 29 Dec 2003
davidmc's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: San Francisco, CA USA
Posts: 373
buying in UK, selling in Australia
I am headed from Europe to Australia in early 2005, and was planning on buying my bike in the US and shipping back to the US at the end of the trip.

But shipping costs are adding up, I only plan on spending $3-5k on a bike for the trip. Would it be any better to buy a bike in Europe and just sell in Australia?

After reading many of the posts here, it sounds like selling the bike in Australia would be a big hassle and perhaps the carnet issue also, but I would probably save $2-2.5k in shipping costs. I guess the ideal situation would be to buy a bike(an Australian registered bike) from someone who rode from Australia to Europe and buy the bike from them, but I would imagine that this would be a long shot.

Has anyone had experience doing this, or is too much of a hassle? I will most likely sell the bike at the end of the trip anyway regardless of where the bike ends up...

-Dave
__________________
Dave McMillan
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/mcmillan/
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 2 Jan 2004
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Bribie Island, Queensland, Australia
Posts: 232
Hi, Do consider that you will find that your bike becomes a very important extension of you once you have used it for a long time in foreign countries. Am not sure that we could sell our bikes. Other overlanders have sia the same thing. And just as well in our case as when we came home we had no idea that after 18 months on the road we would be doing it all over again in less than 3 yearsOn the same two bikes. In fact we would have bet a million dollars that we would not be doing this a second time. While this has not answered your question what I am saying is dont worry about it at this stage, wait until it is an issue.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 2 Jan 2004
beddhist's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Whangarei, NZ
Posts: 2,214
Hmmm, I wouldn't have thought shipping Oz-US would be that expensive...

May I suggest an alternative: make sure the end of your OZ trip falls into the Southern summer. Air freight your bike to NZ. You can import it (without carnet) and register it there. This is easy. NZ customs charge GST on the current value of the bike plus the freight(!). Travel a couple of months around NZ, then sell your bike. If your bike is a Harley you will get a very good price for it, but you need to guard it well during your travels in NZ.

------------------
Salut from Southern France, the bikers' paradise,

Peter.
__________________
Cheers,
Peter.

Europe to NZ 2006-10
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 4 Jan 2004
davidmc's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: San Francisco, CA USA
Posts: 373
Actually the $2-2.5K is shipping from US to Europe AND shipping from OZ to US. So its two long legs I would save. Going from UK to OZ I would only have to ship Nepal-Thailand, and East Timor to Darwin. I will be getting the bike next summer (if in the US), most likely a KLR650, so I would imagine it will be pretty thrashed at the end of the trip.

NZ is definately an option, although I am not sure if I will have time to squeeze it in.

I would imagine a bike like a KLR650 with 40,000 or so miles won't be worth a heck of a lot at the end of the trip, so it seems silly to pay another $1000 to ship back to the US where I will most likely sell it for maybe $1500 or so.

Thanks for the replies so far, any further advice?

-Dave
__________________
Dave McMillan
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/mcmillan/
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 4 Feb 2004
Nigel Marx's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: South Island, New Zealand
Posts: 798
Getting your bike registered for sale in NZ will cost you about NZ$370 for complience chesk and registration plus the 12.5% tax on the value of the bike including costs to get it to NZ (ie freight). Taking the bike to a couple of sympathetic dealers will get you a valuation on the low side of correct and reduce the tax. Bare in mind that as it is relatively simple to import and sell a second hand bike here, there have been dealers over the years who have done just that. This means the price on second hand bike in NZ is lower than some countries. For what the bike market is doing here, you could do worse than checking these two links. The first is to mostly dealer listings and therefore 20-30% higher than private sales.

http://www.bikepoint.co.nz/Home/HomePage.asp

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Trade-Me-Motors/index.htm

The second URL is for an on-line auction site.
Hope this helps your plans. Drop by and visit us WHEN you get to NZ!

Regards

Nigel & Kitty in NZ

--"How can I be lost if I don't care where I am?"--
__________________
The mouth of a perfectly contented man is filled with . -- 2200 BC Egyptian inscription
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

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

 
 

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

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-15
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

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!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

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 14:27.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top