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

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Waz
http://www.garagenight.tv

Hi Waz

Unfortunately, sea shipments attract higher fees and more hassle than air shipments, though as a tourist you won't encounter the situation that Richard Virr had to deal with when shipping his bike in from Malaysia.

Richard lists the various fees below:

"Costs in the UK were as follows:

Terminal Handling Fee 46.90GBP (73USD)
Import Service Fee 35.00GBP (54USD)
Customs Agent 39.10GBP (61USD)
Storage 162.00GBP (251USD)
DTI Fee 3.00GBP (5USD)
Port Fee 9.00GBP (14USD)
Haulage 85.00GBP (132USD)

Sub-total 380GBP (590USD)"

I believe the Storage fee of 162GBP will not apply, but the haulage fee might if the shipper's agent in Southampton won't let you uncrate the bike yourself and ride it away. So, minimum cost of 133GBP (I know, in A$ it will be painful!)

You are correct, no carnet is needed, and the bike will not need to be registered. However, liability insurance (referred to as 'Green Card' insurance is required. To obtain it in advance, contact Stefan Knopf of Knopf Tours. Follow this link and scroll down.

Yes, you can travel throughout the European Community without any hassle, and there is no need to alert the Irish authorities (unless there's something in your past you're not mentioning here ;-)

Well, you're on the most useful web site around (of course, I'm completely unbiased).

But the website is rather huge, so if there's specific info you're looking for, let us know and we can point you in the right direction. There is a Search function on every page, which works very well.

Good luck with your trip.



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Susan Johnson

"It matters not what goal you seek
Its secret here reposes:
You've got to dig from week to week
To get Results or Roses."
Edgar Guest

'One world, two wheels'
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

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Susan Johnson

Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

I air-freighted my (new) bike in from Oz: it cost £450 and took 3 days compared with £250 and 6 weeks. on arrival, I paid ... £15 for documents which is a whole lot better than Susan's summary of $600. you might want to ask Brett Rayner (brayner at connect.net.au) for up to date prices. I've just been looking into shipping the bike on to South Africa and sea freight is way more expensive than air freight.
air freight bargain of the century is Djanet (Algeria) to London for £100 for an XR650R. it cost £700 to get the broken rider home, but he's mending.
one last thing ... Waz has two meanings over here: wazzed means worn out and a wazzock is a pubic wig which goes well with elephant man!
have fun

Thanks for the replies Hubbers.

I will watch out for the shipping fee rip-offs.

Don't worry I'm the frugal type, having just bought an ultra-cheap one-way Garuda Indonesia airfare (yes, it WAS even cheaper than Royal Brunei!).

Regards,
Wazzock.

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Waz
http://www.garagenight.tv

Rich who did you use to freight Oz to UK. The UK port fees are quite scary and maybe flying it wont be much more expensive, even if it feels otherwise. I am also heading to the UK in July.

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Close to Antarctica and a long way from reality