Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB - Steps how I got my bike from Sydney to Christchurch (including prices)

Process to get bike from Sydney to Christchurch (airfreight)

Posted on December 12, 2013

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My process to import bike (BMW R1200GS) from Sydney (Australia) to Christchurch (New Zealand) by airfreight (December 2013):

I contacted several airlines (Quantas, Emirates and Air New Zealand), all of them asked me to get in touch with freight forwarder (I got recommendation for two different companies: Matzen Cargo and DB Schenker.

I also asked several companies regarding sea freight, but overall price was really close to airfreight and quite many were full already.
DB Schenker was quite slow with their answers (because person who is responsible for these shipments was on holiday). Matzen Cargo answered within few hours.

Matzen cargo gave a good offer so, next thing was to start planning where to get crate and other needed processes (price was for a crate which is not labeled as “Hazardous material”.

BMW Sydney (Procycles) said that they can arrange crate, wash the fuel tank and prepare a document which states that all needed actions have been done (to avoid hazardous material treatment).

I needed to wash the bike, but could not find a place from Sydney where I could properly clean it, so I decided to ride 50km south from Sydney, stay at the campground and do washing there. Before this I went to the customs house in Sydney airport and got my Carnet stamped out from Australia. NOTE: you will need to show your AWB (Air Way Bill) in the customs!

After washing, I took my bike to Procycles who cleaned the tank with “white alcohol” (or something like that), disconnected the battery and wrote me a document (It stated that tank has been cleaned and battery disconnected). They had some problem to get BMW crate, so they arranged Victory-motorcycles crate (it was metal, so better than wooden BMW crate). I got plenty of straps from them too.

Procycles transferred my bike and crate to Matzen cargo warehouse where I packed my bike and all the stuff inside the crate (total weight 386kg).
Service from Matzen cargo was great and I can highly recommend their service to everyone.

I flew to NZ on Tuesday, bike on Wednesday. REMEMBER: that you will need a return ticket and a proof that you have enough money to get in to NZ!

On Wednesday in NZ, I went first to the customs house next to Christchurch airport. Got my Carnet stamped, got Customs Delivery order- and Manual Biosecurity Authority/Clearance Certificate -documents. At the same time I paid Inspection fee.

Next I went to Air New Zealand Cargo to agree how things would go onward over there later that day.
I could not get my bike out this day because Air New Zealand Cargo needed few hours to get the crate to the warehouse and to fill all needed documents.

Before 16:30 (closing time) I called to the Biosecurity office +64 3 943 1753 and agreed an inspection time for Thursday morning.
On Thursday morning I went to the Air NZ Cargo before agreed time (had a Jerry can full of fuel with me). I gave all the papers to the person behind a counter and paid their fees (port fee ?).

After this was inspection (which I think was tighter than in Australia (so make sure that bike is clean as also your camping gear (tent pegs, tent also from inside)) which I passed without any problems.
Next thing was to get ACC levy and WoF (Warrant of Fitness) done. For this I went to Vinz (it is close to the airport). Showed my carnet and passport and filled MR2C-form (you can download, print and fill this beforehand). Fees to pay here are ACC and inspection fee. Inspection took around 20 mins, it was tighter than in Australia.

Last thing was to mount proof of my ACC-levy payment (need to be visible from the back) and tape WoF to the bike

Costs (airfreight + other fees for R1200GS, total weight with a crate 386kg):

Crate from Procycles: 55AUD
Bike and crate delilvery to Matzen Cargo warehouse: 59AUD
Prepare for crating (tank, battery and document): 60AUD
Shipping (Matzen cargo): 1000AUD
MPI NZ inspection fee: 51NZD
Air NZ cargo payment (port fee?): 57NZD
ACC-levy and inspection fee: Around 85NZD

Thing to note is that by seafreight port fees are much higher.

Usable links:

NZ Transport Agency – Importing a vehicle temporarily: Importing a vehicle temporarily (Factsheet 35) | NZ Transport Agency
Ministry for Primary Industries – MPI Clearance Services and Facilities: MPI Clearance Services Facilities | MPI Biosecurity New Zealand
Vinz – ACC-levy and WoF: https://vinz.co.nz/find-a-service-ce...e/christchurch
Other:

North South Holiday Park in Christchurch is close to the airport, cabin price is reasonable and they can loan 5l jerry can for you.
Coordinates:

North South Holiday Park, Christchurch: S 43°28.210’ E 172°34.283’
Vinz, airport Christchurch: S 43°29.146’ E 172°33.064’
Air NZ Cargo, Christchurch: S 43°29.532’ E 172°32.828’
Customs house, Christchurch AP: S 43°29.428’ E 172°32.638’
Sydney customs house: No coordinates, but can be found just opposite of International departures in Sydney AP.
This entry was posted in Australia, New Zealand, Preparation by Hemuli.