Shipping a bike overseas?

[ArabicaMan]

My wife has been looking at a professional opportunity that would see us move from our existing home in Kansas City, Missouri, (USA) to Perth, Western Australia, (Australia).  Should that occur, one of the myriad questions is: What should I do with my beloved Duck (a pristine black 2007 S4Rs with a bunch of mods)?  Is it reasonable (or even wise) to undertake shipping the bike?  Or would I be better off just selling it here and buying a new bike when we get to Oz?  I'm sure there are about ten thousand things to consider that I haven't even imagined, so I'm hoping someone can shed some light on this logistical conundrum.  Cheers.

[factorPlayer]

Shipping it will be pretty pricey - don't know for sure but I would guess at least $1000+ one-way.

However it might be even more pricey to buy a bike in Aus...  a lot of countries have very high import taxes that put the price of Ducs into the stratosphere.  We have it pretty good in the U.S. as far as bike prices.  So even though shipping will no doubt be expensive it might be far less than buying another Duc over there.  Sounds like you have a little homework to do. 

[Capo]

The registration process could be painful.

[tufty]

The registration process could be painful.

So will getting his bike license.

[ArabicaMan]

Which brings up a couple of other questions:

1) Is it possible to register an "overseas" bike in Australia?  Meaning, would a bike originally shipped to and licensed in the US even be able to be licenced in Australia?

2) Since I'm licensed to drive and ride in the US, how difficult is it to get similar licensed in Australia?

I apologize for any naiveté shown by my questions, but hey, it's not like I've ever lived in Australia before.  Thanks for all the help.

[SKOM]

Just moved to Oz from Canada. Was going to ship the Duc but I had a wee 'incident' just before the move.

Here is what I remember from the whole importing bike process.

-Shipping from Canada (Edmonton) to Adelaide I was quoted around 1600 Canadian.
-For motorcycles there is no Vehicle import tax.
-You will have to pay GST (goods and services tax) - about 10% of (the bikes value + shipping cost)
-There is also a vehicle import permit fee or something like that in the neighborhood of a few hundo.

-Bikes (especially Ducs) in OZ cost wayyyy more than in the US. A new S4R will run you just over 20,000 AUD. However the exchange rate favours the USD alot right now. Come to think of it - 1 AUD buys bout 65 cents US. so it might not be that expensive to buy new on here.

Registering the bike with mods might be a pain. You basically have to take it in and get it inspected to make sure it is up to snuff. This might mean putting alot of the stock items back on.

As for moto (drivers) licensing - If you have had your motorcycle license for at least a year in the US then it's as simple as going to the DMV and filling out a form.

http://www.customs.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/importguidePrivOwnMV.pdf

Also, IIRC, depending on which Visa you come in on you might not be able to import. Temp residents can't import vehicles except if you are on a 457 visa. This is the 4yr employee sponsered one.

Good luck with the move 

I hear Perth is awesome but expensive.

[ArabicaMan]

Just moved to Oz from Canada. Was going to ship the Duc but I had a wee 'incident' just before the move.

Here is what I remember from the whole importing bike process.

-Shipping from Canada (Edmonton) to Adelaide I was quoted around 1600 Canadian.
-For motorcycles there is no Vehicle import tax.
-You will have to pay GST (goods and services tax) - about 10% of (the bikes value + shipping cost)
-There is also a vehicle import permit fee or something like that in the neighborhood of a few hundo.

-Bikes (especially Ducs) in OZ cost wayyyy more than in the US. A new S4R will run you just over 20,000 AUD. However the exchange rate favours the USD alot right now. Come to think of it - 1 AUD buys bout 65 cents US. so it might not be that expensive to buy new on here.

Registering the bike with mods might be a pain. You basically have to take it in and get it inspected to make sure it is up to snuff. This might mean putting alot of the stock items back on.

As for moto (drivers) licensing - If you have had your motorcycle license for at least a year in the US then it's as simple as going to the DMV and filling out a form.

http://www.customs.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/importguidePrivOwnMV.pdf

Also, IIRC, depending on which Visa you come in on you might not be able to import. Temp residents can't import vehicles except if you are on a 457 visa. This is the 4yr employee sponsered one.

Good luck with the move 

I hear Perth is awesome but expensive.

Perfect, SKOM, and thanks so much for the info.  It sounds like selling the bike here will probably be the way to go (if it comes to it), and I'll just have to hope that the global economic condition keeps the value of a US$ up on a AUS$ for a bit.  If I make it down to Perth, I'll have to ride over your way and you can show me some fun roads.  I mean, Perth isn't that far from Adelaide, is it?     Cheers.

[SKOM]

 

I think it's about 3 or 4 days. I am going to be there for work of and on so maybe I can rent a bike or something. Check out the Oz Monsters section. Most of the guys are from out East but a few are in Perth.

If you manage to make it to South Australia let me know. There are some awesome roads here.  [moto]

[Norm]

Why not keep the bike registered in the US along with your liscence? Or, many countries will give a liscence based on the fact that you already hold one, or, get an international liscence.

[IZ]

Arabica..I know the D.O.C. President in Perth.  He and his wife are cool! 

BTW..moving to AUS would be cool and you should take the opporunity but Perth is pretty much the ends of the Earth! 

[techno]

It sounds like its going to be a lot easier to sell your bike and get another one here. Then you will have no problems with rego/compliance.

Perth is the most isolated capital city in Aus. Its also the fastest growing from what I have heard. Growth is being fuelled by the resources boom (which has fallen off a bit) as Western Australia has a lot of mining activity.

If you want to visit other cities from there, I'd suggest flying.

[Ronnie-d]

Which brings up a couple of other questions:

1) Is it possible to register an "overseas" bike in Australia?  Meaning, would a bike originally shipped to and licensed in the US even be able to be licenced in Australia?

2) Since I'm licensed to drive and ride in the US, how difficult is it to get similar licensed in Australia?

I apologize for any naiveté shown by my questions, but hey, it's not like I've ever lived in Australia before.  Thanks for all the help.

You best do a LOT of homework on this one!

I went to Aus and bought a new bike there, but was  not allowed to import it here (Canada) unless it is 15 yrs old
I was told that it would have to be sent back to country of origin OR destroyed !!
Dont know if it the same in the US,  but check it out Very carefully.

I used my Canadian licence for the 3+ yrs that I was in Tasmania   Just make sure your licence wont expire before you come back to the States   
Be sure to get an official M/C endorsment on your licence, as the Aus licencing system requires a series of very expensive courses to get theirs.  You have to start out on nothing bigger than a 250 cc M/C !!

Good luck on your travels!

[SaltLick]

if i was you i would just ride it there. save yourself the shipping fee.

[Super T.I.B]

if i was you i would just ride it there. save yourself the shipping fee.

What? Ride it onto a ship then do laps of the ship while it is heading to Australia? 

[somegirl]

What? Ride it onto a ship then do laps of the ship while it is heading to Australia? 

Don't be silly. 

It would be much faster if he rides up and down the corridor on the plane.
Plus, then he would definitely beat the 140 mph speed barrier.