Ship Motorcycle From US To Australia

How to Ship Motorcycle From US To Australia?

In 2015, the number of Australians owning motorcycles surpassed the number of vehicle owners in the country. This number has continued to grow over the years with residents investing in both on-road and off-road motorbikes. Imports of American motorbike brands are quite common with many Australians choosing to buy directly from sellers in the US. One of the popular motorcycle brands among the young and older population is the Harley Davidson. If you are planning to ship motorcycle from US to Australia, the information below will make the process easier.

Buy from reputable motorcycle dealers

Motorcycle brands from the US are popular in Australia because of their low cost. Also, they are very well built, making them a “must-have” for riding enthusiasts. Most riders buy their bikes from online stores that sell various models to customers worldwide. To ensure that you are dealing with a genuine seller, research the sellers first. Read through online reviews and consult with those that have purchased motorbikes from America. You also need to compare prices from various stores to get a good motorcycle at a fair price.

Obtain an import permit

Before placing the down payment for your motorcycle, you need to get an import permit. The permit is granted by the Department of Road Transport in Canberra and costs $50 AUD. It allows you to import the bike and have it delivered to you with no restrictions. To get the permit, you need to fulfill some basic requirements needed by the government. These requirements include at least one year ownership by the seller and a forty-two day stay in the US before importation. Also, it is advisable to apply for the motorbike permit before the bike leaves America.

Find a reliable shipping company

There are quite a number of shipping companies that transport motorcycles from the US to Australia. Many focus on provision of high quality services to customers seeking to safely move motorbikes overseas. Ensure that the company you’re dealing with has experienced staff and equipment to make the move easier. Consider hiring a company that has been sending motorbikes over to Australia for many years to avoid any surprises. If possible, request for references from previous clients to know if their work is satisfactory. You should hire companies that can demonstrate safe delivery, excellent customer service, and honoring of agreed timelines.

Get a bill of sale from the seller

The Bill of sale from the seller is needed in order to start the shipping process. If the motorbike is already owned by you, then a photocopy of the original bill of sale is required. This document is presented to the Australian customs office for verification. It usually displays the original price of the motorcycle or the valuation amount. A lower amount on the document always results in payment of less Goods and Services Tax. In case the Bill of sale gets lost, your motorcycle will undergo valuation to obtain a “sight unseen” document. You’ll have to pay for this valuation service and the cost varies from company to company.

Acquire the correct registration documents

To ship motorcycle from US to Australia you need to have all registration documents in place. The documents need to clearly indicate you as the owner of the motorbike to make importation easier. A high-quality scanned copy of your passport that shows your photo should also accompany the documents. In some cases, original papers proving ownership are required, meaning copies may be rejected. If unsure, check for information on the Department of infrastructure and regional development website. Also, ensure that the motorcycle is de-registered in the US and the plates removed, when buying a used bike.

Prepare Your Motorcycle

It is important to clean the motorbike and ensure that it has no traces of dirt or any organic matter. The cleanliness of the bike will be assessed by the shipping company before being loaded onto the crate. Majority of motorcycles are placed in crates before being shipped to Australia. The shipping company provides the crate but bike owners can also build their own. Apart from cleaning the bike, ensure that the fuel tank is drained and it has no personal items attached to it.

Invest In Insurance

To ship motorcycle from US to Australia you need to have insurance for your peace of mind. Australian law does not require importers to obtain marine insurance but many shippers opt to invest in one. The insurance covers your motorcycle when in transit and pays for damages if any occur during shipping.

To get the best motorcycle shipping services to Australia, reach out to us through our Contact Us page.