Importing a bike into Australia
For the Seller, the info below does not apply. I don't want to jeopardize a SALE, BUT for the BUYER in Australia, he needs to consider:
Importing a Motor Vehicle (including a motorbike) into Australia.
The true cost to import a motorbike into Australia is:
(MSRP + Shipping/Insurance) + 10% GST = TOTAL PRICE TO CONSUMER
You do not pay any import duty on a motorbike, as there are no manufacturers of motorbikes in Australia and you are not affecting the local manufacturer market (you're only taking away a potential sale from a dealer).
Example:
2010 MV Augusta F4 1000 with a Manufacturer Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of USD$18,500
(USD$18,500* + $1,750/$250) + $2,050 = USD$22,550.00
*The Distributor will be paying Wholesale Price, which is less than the MSRP, and will onsell the bike (adding a margin) to their Dealers (who will also add a margin).
Department of Transport and Infrastructure, Canberra
From July 2010, you MUST HAVE a Vehicle Import Approval from the Dept. of Infrastructure and Transport in Canberra. DO NOT SHIP THE BIKE WITHOUT THIS ! (Customs will not release the bike AND you will have to return the bike or destroy it at your own expense!!!)
Due to Australian Government Regulations, all bikers in Australia are unable to ship a motorbike into Australia UNLESS one of the following four criteria are met:
1. Vehicle was manufactured before 1 January 1989 OR
2. Personal Imports (for persons emigrating to Australia) OR
Applicants must satisfy each of the following ownership requirements.
You must:
*own the vehicle when submitting the application; and
*have acquired ownership of the vehicle from overseas; and
*have owned the vehicle while overseas; and
*have owned the vehicle for a continuous period of at least 12 months. This is the qualifying period. The qualifying period must have occurred immediately before you (permanently) arrived in Australia.
3. Importing, Modifying and having an Australian Identification Plate Fitted by a Registered Automotive Workshop (RAWS) OR
If you wish to import a vehicle that is an eligible Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicle (see list at
http://rvcs.infrastructure.gov.au/) (NOT FOR ROAD USE, ONLY TRACK or OFF ROAD) you will need to contact a RAWS to arrange for the importing and plating of the vehicle (
http://raws.infrastructure.gov.au/ , then search for a RAWS). RAWS can also import Road Bikes, but they will import for sale by themselves to make a profit and run their business. I do know of one guy who brought in an import through a friend of a friend who was RAWS certified. However, due to the limited number of bikes RAWS can import, RAWS are very reluctant and do not help individuals bring in their own selected bikes (after all, consumers want a good price when buying overseas and a RAWS wants to make good profits for his business !).
(RAWS are only allowed to import between 25-100 bikes per year, as dictated by the Aussie Govt, and it must be listed on the "Specialist Vehicle Govt Approved Bike Import List" - if it's not on the list, then you could spend tens of thousands of dollars to prove that the bike is Australian Design Rules (ADR) Standard Approved - emission, lights, tyres, etc.. must be Australian Compliance...)
4. Letter of Compliance
A Letter of Compliance states that a vehicle complies with the applicable ADRs at the time of the vehicle's original build date. Only the authorised Australian representative of the manufacturer, or the organisation holding the Australian Plate Approval for the particular vehicle model, can issue a Letter of Compliance for the vehicle you intend to import. It is therefore only in exceptional circumstances that a Letter of Compliance can be obtained. Very difficult to obtain as most manufacturers are going to protect their Dealership Network and hence, their sales market here in Australia !
(also, Australia/UK/Europe uses EURO 3 emission standards, whilst the USA uses US Federal Emission Standards, approx. EURO2, which is higher and dirtier than EURO 3, so make sure you can get it to EURO3 spec - catalytic converter, valves, lambda probes, baffles, etc...also light angles from left to right angle, orange indicators).
If you are eligible for one of the four criteria above, the Dept of Infrastructure and Transport will issue you with a Compliance Plate ($50 app. fee, about 14 days to approve). Then you fix plate (you will be advised by the Dept who can legally affix the Compliance Plate to your vehicle). Then take all papers to the RTA and get it registered (3% stamp duty based on total price).
I have spent approximately 300 hours disecting and looking for loopholes in the "Motor Vehicle Regulations Act 1989", "Motor Vehicle Standards Amendment Regulations 2009 (No. 1)1, "MotorVehiclesStandards1989, "Importing Vehicles to Australia Brochure VSB10 - Vehicle Safety Bulletins (VSB10)","Motor Vehicle Standards (Approval to Place Used Import Plates) Guidelines 2006 (No. 1)" and includes about 15 hours debating with the Department of Infrastructure and Transport in Canberra (who issues the Vehicle Import Approval), and numerous hours with Australian Customs (you only need to have a Vehicle Import Approval AND make sure that the bike is 'clean' - no bugs, empty all fluids before shipping, etc...!) If Customs require you to steam clean / fumigate - it will cost about AUD$200 (via a third party, which you will need to arrange).
RESOURCES:
http://www.comlaw.gov.au/ComLaw/Legi...3?OpenDocument
http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roa...a_2.aspx#ninee
http://rvcs.infrastructure.gov.au/
http://www.dieselnet.com/standards/au/
For Further Information:
Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government
If Calling Outside Australia
Tel 61 2 6274 7444
Fax 61 2 6274 6013
If Calling Within Australia
Tel 1800 815 272
Fax (02) 6274 6013
Email:
vimports@infrastructure.gov.au
Web:
http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roa...les/index.aspx
Postal Address
GPO Box 594
CANBERRA ACT 2601
Street Address
111 Alinga Street
CANBERRA ACT 2600