Leaving the bike in in Australia for 20 month
 

Hi,
we have the plan to travel through New Zeeland, Tasmania and Australia (last 6 weeks in Australia). After this trip we want to leave the bikes in Australia (we have a friend there in NSW) and come back at least 20 month later to make another normal 4 weeks holiday trip. During this time some friends from Germany might use the bikes for a 3-4 weeks holiday trip.

Much explanation I know.

I ´ve read the thread about the extension of the carnet but didn´t know if this is all I have to do?
Can I leave the country without the bikes and can I leave it htere for such a long time?
Would be great to get some informations.
Best regards
Robert

I don't understand why you don't just buy and register the bike in Australia. If it is going to stay down under, there's no point in having a carnet. Yes, if you travel with the bike to/from NZ then you'll need one, but just for that leg. Or am I missing the point here?

We want to start in New Zeeland because we want to be down in the South end of November on the Burt Munroe Festival. Would be am idea to buy it in Australia, start directly from there to New Zeeland and come back on the end of the trip. But the bike prices for example BMW F650GS are really high compared to the prices in Germany and I cannot prepare the bikes. We have 5 months so not such a plenty of time to prepare the bikes down under.
But I will check some prices of the transport from Australia to NZ. I transfer this thread to the Australia Info.
Regards Robert

Let's face it. Legally it is not possible to leave a vehicle in Australia on a carnet without remaining in the country.

On the other hand I have been told by Australian customs, that as long as they don't know about it they won't care. Yes, you will get an exit stamp into your passport, but customs don't check passports for exit stamps when dealing with carnets.

I have extended my carnet twice, both time I went to customs in person, but I think it should be possible to mail them in. (i.e. get someone in Australia (no, not me) to hold onto the carnet while you are overseas, organise the replacement carnet, and then get them to relay the carnets to customs)

Just out of curiosity, which thread about carnet extension are you referring to ?

Long story short: Yes, extending the carnet and have it endorsed by customs (and the local auto club in Australia) is all you have to do.

One of the changes made to the carnet/temporary import laws a couple of years ago was to require that a vehicle arriving on a carnet was removed at/before the owner left Australia.

Do a weblookup for VSB10 which outlines the only way for tourists to arrive with a vehicle now. Also have a look at the customs website about vehicle carnets.

Risks of leaving the vehicle here - the vehicle can be scrapped at your cost. You still pay GST and any import duties that maybe due. Fine and or penalty duties.

You can put the vehicle into a customs bond store and it is considered outside of Australia - check costs as it maybe less than renewing a carnet.

Ok I guess that the real question is how to get around the VSB10 vehicle importation.

http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roa...f/VSB10_08.pdf

Eligibility Criteria

I would also be asking whether the passport of the person entering into Australia has some mention of their vehicle and CDP??

This would be something to the effect of not letting them exit Australia without having fullfiled the requirements of temporary import. In other words if you don't take your vehicle (motorbike) that was imported on a CDP with you then you either need a letter or confirmation from Customs that they have taken possession of your bike and are holding it until your return or you have gone through the Permanent importation channel.

I see that in this case a second passport could be very useful to avoid the restrictions. By entering Australia on one passport and leaving on another... Customs would not know about the restrictions inplace for the temporary import, BUT it would only work if you didn't need a visa in both passports (ie were New Zealander or Australian).

So unless someone has another solution for you, be careful not to get caught out at the airport when leaving.

No, they did not add any information about the carnet into my passport, nor did they check my passport before clearing my carnet.

I have been told by customs: Yes you are not allowed to leave the country, but as long as they don't know about it, they won't care.

I faced a similar problem when I was riding around OZ. I decided not to take the chance. If they do somehow find out, things will not go well.

carnet
 

Hi Robert,

legally, only the person who imported the bike temporary with a carnet, is entitled to ride her. It may work, but I wouldn't take the risk. The cops and authorities can be pretty tough out here. You won't get away with many things, as you do in the old country. In case you come to the SW of WA, contact me, will have a beer and a ride together.

Cheers, Helgo

Australia has well developed computer systems and the integration of customs, immigration, quarantine and Federal Police has been going on for awhile (AQIS and Customs already share computer systems, Fed police have automatic access to all). I'd say its likely that a computer record will flag a carnet to a passport number - but whether that info gets flagged at time of departure - who knows except an immigration officer??

Its probably not exactly a high priority with customs and immigration to get their computers working with that much detail considering the low number of vehicles that enter Australia on carnets. I'd bet that if you use a customs broker to bring your bike into Australia they would ensure that your passport gets some sort of stamp as they (the broker) are now 100% liable for ensuring compliance by their customers.

The other issue is keeping your bike road legal - overseas registration - you cannot register a vehicle on a carnet in Australia.

Its a nightmare.

A friend of mine has left his bike in Oz, returned some months later with a new carnet, had customs stamp his bike out of the old carnet and into the new. No questions asked. He is now shipping it to NZ as I write this.

However, I don't think it's worth the hassle with carnet and shipping, just to visit Oz and NZ. If you buy the bike in Oz you can ship it to NZ without carnet, although I would question whether that is worth doing, too. If you sell your bike in Oz at the end of your trip you should get most of your money back, so the up-front cost is not an issue. (You don't have to deposit money with the ADAC.) One thing, though: sell your bike in the same state! Use Ebay in Oz and Trademe in NZ and your bike will be sold when you have to leave.

What's the big deal with preparing the bike? Just buy whatever luggage system you want and bring it with you. It will bolt on in a few hours. Or, buy it in Oz.

Hi guys,
back from the South Africa bike holiday I see all the answers and want to thank you all for the support you have offered. Looks like it would be not the worst idea to buy it in Oz ship it to NZ and back and sell it again in Oz. Or to ship it from Germany to NZ then to Oz then directly back. I have to think about how much I would spent doing it with our own bikes. Preparation I think about all the maintenance parts.
regards
Robert