Traveling by my own bike in Australia

**Ryan Kim** · #1 10 Oct 2002

How are you everybody ? I'm just thinking about traveling by my own bike to Australia. I don;t have any idea whether I can bring my bike from Korea to Australia. If it's possible, please give me some idea how to do.

Thanks for reading

**onlycookie** · #2 10 Oct 2002

It is possible to bring a bike to Australia, but because of the quarantine declaration it will take a while!

There are people around who know a lot more and can help you with this point, but you should think about buying one down there, too.

The only downsides are you don't know what you get as with any new/used thing you buy and you can't put extra luggage in the container (plane/ship).

The upsides are no hassle with quarantine declaration (THEY ARE STRICT - just a nick less strict than in New Zealand, but still length stricter than in the U.S.), transport delays, paperwork and damages and COST - maybe roadworthyness(???).

Used bikes are very very good to excellent available in Melbourne on Elizabeth Street - sounds funny, but this is THE ADDRESS in Australia to buy new and used bikes, parts, clothes and extras...

You "need" an address in Australia - it really doesn't have to exist, but it has at least to look like it exists.
Most people take the address of Backpackers/Hostels/Hotels or anything.
The insurance is payed in advance and lasts one year - if you buy the bike you can look for one lasting a while...
...and if you pay early enough you don't need to go through roadworthyness anytime.

The used-bike market in Melbourne suits almost anyone and is fairly cheap - you don't get the bike for free though!
I got a good offroad/trail/road-bike (Kawasaki KLR 650 Tengai) with saddle-bags, helmet, jacket, tools, lots of spare parts and liquids and registration for 4 month for 4.500 AUD (Australian Dollar - check with your currency) from a dealer!!!
The bike itself was 3.500 AUD. with 30.000 k's on the clock and in a fairly good condition.
And that within 3 days...

So hope someone can write you more about importing a bike - from here (Germany) the absolute cheapest shipping I've found so far was around

**Ryan Kim** · #3 11 Oct 2002

Thanks for your sincere reply. But, I surely want to bring my bike to Australia. If you give me more information about shipping,customs clearance and how long it takes about all procedure, I will appreciate that. Anyway, thanks for your advice.

**Susan Johnson** · #4 15 Oct 2002

Hi Ryan

Details on importing a vehicle temporarily into Australia can be found at the Australia Customs Services site. http://www.customs.gov.au/site/index...=5&nav_id=230. See Concessions for tourists and temporary residents.

Quote:

"Concessions for tourists and temporary residents
As a tourist or temporary resident, you may bring a motor vehicle or a motorcycle and attached trailer or a caravan to Australia for a period of up to 12 months (or longer under certain circumstances) without paying duty on them, provided they are subsequently exported from Australia.

For this concession to apply, you will need one of the following:

a Carnet De Passages en Douanes issued by an overseas organisation which has a reciprocal arrangement with the Australian Automobile Association, or

a cash or bank security, equal to the amount of duty and GST and, where applicable, LCT otherwise payable."

If you have a Carnet de Passage it is fairly straightforward. Otherwise, you will need to be able to post a bond for the sales tax (OZ = 26.4% of the value of the bike), which will be refunded when you leave the country with your bike.

If you haven't heard of a Carnet de Passage, click on the link below for an explanation.
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tri...#CarnetExplain

To import your bike temporarily into Australia, you must also obtain in advance a 'Vehicle Import Approval' from the Australian Federal Office of Road Safety, GPO Box 1553, Canberra ACT 2601, +61/6 274 5706, fax +61/6 275 6005, vimports@email.dot.gov.au; The application form and information is available on their website: http://www.dotars.gov.au/transreg/vsb/vsb%5F10.htm

Good luck and let us know how you go!

------------------
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

[This message has been edited by Susan (edited 15 October 2002).]

**RalEva** · #5 19 Oct 2002

Hi,

the best town to enter Australia is PERTH!

Their customs are not that strong!!

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Best wishes RalEva

http://www.Die-Motorradnomaden.de

With translation service!!

**David and Cheryl Laing** · #6 20 Oct 2002

Nothing beats the thrill of riding YOUR OWN BIKE in another country.
Yes, you can buy a cheap bike over here but why do that when you have one already?
The customs people are not a problem if you have a carnet. Quarantine people are a bit more difficult but if you have your bike steam cleaned before you get here then there is no problem. If it cannot be steam cleaned before you leave then, at a price, Australian Quarantine services will have it done here. Try to enter through Darwin or as previously suggested, Perth. These entry points seem to have staff that are easier to get along with than the Sydney/Melbourne entry points. The port charges are cheaper as well.

**Werner** · #7 19 Nov 2002

I air freighted my bike (BMW F650) from Kuala Lumpur to Perth (Oct. 2002) with a carnet guaranteed by the Canadian Automobile Association. No problem with customs; no problem with quarantaine (hand cleaned bike myself before shipping in K.L.); no problem with road worthiness (did not bother). Did not even buy third party liability insurance, but made sure not to be stopped by police for any reason. Circumnavigated Oz and went up to Top of Cape York. Make sure there is no dirt whatsoever under the fenders. This was the only place the Man checked. Regards, Werner.