From Bali, Indonesia to Darwin, Australia - July, 2001

Reports that freighting a motorcycle from Bali to Australia would be an expensive exercise were true. We tried several avenues, sea freight and airfreight from a number of companies but as there is virtually only one air carrier ie. Qantas to Darwin the options were limited.

Sea freight takes time and we prefer to travel rather than sitting. Airfreight was the best option as the alternate was almost the same cost.

Originally we were quoted US$2.14 per kg but reducing the size of the bike ie. Wheels, fairing and top box removed thus dropping the volumetric weight below 300kg placed us in a more expensive bracket of US$2.49 per kg. Our agent FAILED to tell us this and we were very annoyed when the cost increased by almost US$100.

The bike was dismantled at the cargo terminal and lashed to a wooden pallet then placed on an aluminum transport plate. No crating was required and the bike was covered in plastic and taped. Petrol was removed, battery terminals taped. The bike was cleaned by us prior to departure as Australian quarantine laws are very tough.

Freight details:
Actual bike weight 225kg
Volumetric weight (V.M.)
L 199cm x H 96cm x W 83cm = 1,585,632 divided by 6,000 = 264kg
V.M. 264kg x US$2.49 = US$657.36
Custom clearance US$ 5.00
Air way bill US$ 1.00
Dangerous goods fee US$ 40.00
Handling fee US$0.10 per kg x 264kg = US$ 26.40
Packing US$ 10.00
TOTAL US$739.76

In Australia:
Australian air Express - Darwin Airport
Document fee AUS$24.90
Import delivery fees AUS$33.55
GST (tax) AUS$ 5.85
TOTAL AUS$64.30

Quarantine Inspection fee AUS$80.00

All officials in Indonesia and Australia were pleasant and helpful. The bike was required at the cargo terminal at Denpasar Airport the day before the flight. It flew from Bali via Singapore to Darwin and arrived the same morning as our flight. Waiting for the quarantine officer to arrive to inspect the bike took the longest (2pm) as they were short staffed on the day we arrived. Once that was completed we were able to put the bike back together and ride off by 4pm.

Hope this will be of some help to others. Ken and Carol Duval