Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > Australia / New Zealand
Sheepskin seat covers and Quarantine Inspection? Sheepskin seat covers and Quarantine Inspection?
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Australia / New Zealand Topics specific to Australia and New Zealand only.
Photo by Ellen Delis, Lagunas Ojos del Campo, Antofalla, Catamarca

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


Photo by Ellen Delis,
Lagunas Ojos del Campo,
Antofalla, Catamarca



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 24 Sep 2008
Chris D (Newcastle NSW)'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Newcastle NSW AU
Posts: 153
Cool Sheepskin seat covers and Quarantine Inspection?
We have some sheep skin seat covers in our vehicle. When our vehicle returns from an overland trip to North Asia will the sheep skins be an issue with AQIS?
__________________
Chris
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 24 Sep 2008
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Bucks, UK
Posts: 642
Only guessing but no more so than your leather shoes
__________________
Vietnam, Cambodia & Thailand 2016
Buenos Aires to NYC 2012-2013: www.facebook.com/curryhunt
India and back 2009-2010:
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 24 Sep 2008
Xander's Avatar
Super Moderator
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Back Down Under (WA)
Posts: 562
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chris D (Newcastle NSW) View Post
We have some sheep skin seat covers in our vehicle. When our vehicle returns from an overland trip to North Asia will the sheep skins be an issue with AQIS?
If they are dirty in any way.. they will be an issue... it would be all to easy for a "bug" or "seed" to be transported in ...

see here
Import Conditions Database - ICON - AQIS
__________________
2000 Africa Twin
http://two-up-ona-twin.blogspot.com
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 24 Sep 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Bribie Island Australia
Posts: 678
It will depend entirely on the AQIS inspector and what particular bee he has up his derriere at the time. They are generally good and helpful, but wont bend too much.

In theory they can insist the vehicle be cleaned to "as new" condition. If you know that you've got an item that is dirty, get it cleaned or risk AQIS either cleaning it for you ($$$$$$) or having it destroyed at your expense ($$$). If the items cant be cleaned on the wharf, the costs just get out of hand.

Some parts of Northern Asia are Foot and Mouth endemic, so expect some serious looking for mud and crud on the underside of the vehicle, if they find that, then the rest of the vehicle gets flagged and gets a more serious going over.

Do things that give the inspector a warm fuzzy feeling - bug strips in the vehicle, an invoice for steam cleaning the underside and spraying disenfectant over the whole vehicle.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 25 Sep 2008
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Posts: 1,362
Can the covers be dry cleaned .. or put through a washing machine? If they are very clean at the inspection they should go through .. The alternative is to give them away before you leave (chose someone who is good to you - they can sell them or use them) .. and buy new ones when you get back.

Clean = good .. even if they are not 'dirty' they can get bug in them .. so wash them .. bit of smelling disenfectant wont do any harm to the inspector either ..
__________________
---
Regards Frank Warner
motorcycles BMW R80 G/S 1981, BMW K11LT 1993, BMW K75 G/S
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 7 Nov 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: MaeSot, Thailand
Posts: 95
Post the sheepskins
Hi,
We just returned to Aus with our bikes. We took the sheepskins off and sent them from Asia by post (much cheaper than replacing them if AQIS decided they didn't like them). Make sure you have the vehicle pressure cleaned in all the nooks and crannies. We found the AQIS inspector fair, he could see we had made an effort to clean them and seemed happy. He inspected them in the crates, he spent more time checking our personal effects we had put in the crates with the bikes.

Andrew
__________________
“… all that is required for evil to triumph is for good men (and women) to do nothing ...”.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 23 Nov 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 49
personal stuff ? pfff....
pfff..... mine was quite picky about the bike. (had sawdust from making the crate over it.)

the personal stuff that was in the crate he totally ignored :-) (maybe he didn't even realized that they were part of the shipment as well ?)


(sydney port, at patricks)
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 23 Nov 2008
loxsmith's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Ex Bris, Australia
Posts: 490
Our sheepskin seat covers were not an issue at either end of the shipping
Bris - Vancouver return.
First impressions are very important, we spent many hours making sure the bikes were spotless

Were we lucky??? maybe!

Hey Chris when do you leave??

Glen
__________________
Feb 2014, currently travelling the America's on a Tiger 800XC

Live every day like it's your last, one day you'll get it right!!!
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 24 Nov 2008
farqhuar's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Oztralia
Posts: 646
When I brought my Burgie back to Melbourne last month from Italy it was absolutely filthy - months of accumulated mud and dirt, mainly from Kazakhstan.

The dealer in Rome who crated the bike had promised they would clean it with a high pressure hose before crating but seemingly forgot about that. In order to try and avoid problems with AQIS I aranged to meet them at the shipping depot and sweet talk them, if needed, to avoid the huge steamcleaning bill. I arrived at the freight terminal at the appointed time only to find AQIS had already been and gone and had approved it!

This is the 2nd time I have brought a bike back from overseas and each time I have had no problems with AQIS whatsoever.

Just the luck of the draw it seems.

Garry from Oz.
__________________
Garry from Oz - powered by Burgman
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

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Seat covers? LucieT 4 wheel Overland Travel 6 21 Sep 2008 14:19
XT600E - A Gel Seat or Sheepskin? kentfallen Yamaha Tech 15 1 Feb 2008 09:28
Seat covers roamingyak Equipping the Overland Vehicle 8 12 Aug 2007 19:08
Fifth gear inspection Guy Scheveneels Yamaha Tech 3 12 Dec 2006 20:30
Refrigerated Seat Covers ??? jamieT 4 wheel Overland Travel 9 23 May 2006 16:01

 
 

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

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

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...

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 10:46.

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