Riding to Australia

[Crazymanneil]

Hey,

To update those that were not at the rally (or did not hear the rumours) I intend to ride my diesel bike to Australia this year. My wife and I will have approx 8 months to do this and it may turn into RTW if there is enough time left. This was always the big dream for me and we may just be lucky enough to have a go at it.

So things are pretty hectic for us now to get paperwork and so on sorted out. A few folks have asked if we will keep a diary etc so I will set something up on the web in the next week or two. General plan is Europe -> Turkey -> Iran -> Pakistan -> India -> Thailand -> Australia. Like all good plans reality is bound to interject somewhere so we will see what happens!

If anyone is on the way and would like to meet us let me know.

Cheers,

Neil

[Stuart]

Best of luck with the trip, Neil I can't think of a better way to run that new bike of yours in

[andrewaust]

Cool - Be sure to give me a yell if your cruising into NSW, especially the Hunter Valley area, we'll have to meet up !



A

[Crazymanneil]

Thanks guys.

I'd like to meet you Andrew so that would be good . Might be interesting getting through the Aus import issues with the diesel bike but I'm looking into all that good stuff.

N

[Sphere]

You reckon a carnet de passage won't do?

[IgorVigor]

Good luck with the trip...

would like to do a long trip on my bike one day

[Crazymanneil]

Thanks,

Sphere, Yes the Carnet is important for import duty type of thing but I think in Aus they also put the bike through something like TUV / MOT when you come in. They fail on stuff like oil leaks from what I have reada nd Andrew had some fun getting his bike registered. I guess we will find out!

N

[Sphere]

Importing Your Vehicle into Australia Under the Cover of a Carnet

The simplest way to bring your vehicle to Australia on a temporary basis is by Carnet De Passages en Douane (CPD carnet).

Carnets can be obtained for motor vehicles, motorcycles, campervans, four wheel drive vehicles, caravans and trailers. Carnets are issued in accordance with the Customs Convention on the Temporary Importation of Private Motor Vehicles. Vehicles issued a carnet may not be lent, sold, mortgaged, hired, exchanged, given away or otherwise disposed of while in Australia.

Carnets are available from the motoring organisation in your country of residence. For USA residents, carnets are available from the Canadian Automobile Association in Ottawa. If you are going to use a carnet to temporarily import your vehicle into Australia you must obtain the carnet before the vehicle arrives in Australia.

A carnet is similar to a personal passport and contains all the relevant information about the vehicle - make, model, colour, engine capacity, seating capacity, registration number, owner and value.

A carnet is valid for 12 months from the date of issue. There are a number of conditions attached to the use of carnets in Australia. Some of those conditions are:

The vehicle must be exported from Australia prior to or on the expiry date of the carnet.
It is a condition of use of a carnet in Australia that you, do not leave the vehicle that is covered by a carnet in Australia while you are not here. Should you do so, this is a breach of the provisions of the Customs Act 1901 and Customs Regulations 1926. Once a breach has occurred, the security amount equivalent to the duty and GST (and Luxury Car Tax (LCT), if applicable) will be called up by Customs.

To obtain a carnet you have to provide the issuing motoring organisation with a security equivalent to approximately 100% of the market value of the vehicle (26% for motorcycles). Should a breach of the Customs regulations occur, the Customs duty rate for passenger motor vehicles is 15% and $12,000 per vehicle. GST is charged in addition to this and is charged at a rate of 10% of the VoTI. The VoTI is equal to the sum of the Customs value, plus the Customs duty, plus the cost of transporting the goods to Australia and for insuring the goods for that transport.

Further, the security should also cover any Luxury Car Tax that may become payable on the vehicles. Luxury Car Tax becomes payable on certain vehicles that are above the LCT threshold. This threshold is determined by the Australian Taxation Office and reviewed every year.

The amount of LCT payable is set out in 5-15 of the "A New Tax System (Luxury Car Tax) 1999".

Generally three types of security are available from motoring organisations.

• Cash bond.
• Banker's Letter of Indemnity.
• Insurance policy.

Please note that not all motoring clubs offer all three options.

The security is refunded/released after the carnet is returned to the issuing organisation. Contact your local motoring organisation or the Australian Automobile Association for more information on Carnets.

source: http://www.aaa.asn.au/touring/bringing.htm#carnet

[Sphere]

Importing Motorcycles

AQIS inspects motorcycles for soil, seeds, plant material, insects and other contaminants upon arrival in Australia.

Motorcycles must be inspected at an AQIS freight depot. Your customs broker/freight forwarder will have a list of AQIS approved depots. Either yourself or your agent should inform AQIS of the depot you choose. Please note, you may be charged for unpacking and storage at the depot, you should contact the depot to establish the exact cost of this function.

Motorcycles must be thoroughly cleaned both internally and externally before arrival in Australia. If the motorcycle meets AQIS cleanliness standards it will be released from Quarantine. If the motorcycle is contaminated AQIS will direct it for cleaning at a QAP at the importer's expense. The motorcycle will then be re-inspected by AQIS. If the motorcycle is found to be heavily contaminated it may be exported from Australia at the importer’s expense.

Please contact the relevant AQIS regional office for the current costs of quarantine services.

Please be aware of the following points when importing used motorcycles:

1. Your motorcycle must be thoroughly clean from soil and road grime, plant matter and seeds. Important points to check are;

* Wheels, wheel guards, mud guards

* Engine bay - remove water from any reservoirs (excluding radiator) and ensure your radiator is clean and free of debris in the cooling fins

* The underside of the motorcycle must be clean

* Behind the fairings and side-covers

* The motorcycle must be clean and free of all quarantine risk material, including soil, sand, seed, plant material and gravel.

2. Additional information

* Please contact the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service for information on custom duties. Phone 1300 363 263 or +61 2 6275 6666 (from outside Australia).

* You should also contact the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government for information about permit/registration requirements. Phone 1800 815 272 or +61 2 6274 6013 (from outside Australia).

3. The AQIS regional office is where the Quarantine Entry will be lodged. If you choose to use a customs broker they will handle this.

4. After lodging a Quarantine Entry, an appointment to inspect the vehicle will need to be made. You may need to be present during the inspection.

5. The importer is responsible for all Quarantine costs.

6. Please ensure the keys are provided as AQIS will inspect the internal compartments, engine bay and the boot of the motorcycle.

AQIS maintains a public database - AQIS’s Import Conditions Database (ICON) that holds the conditions for importing goods into Australia. ICON is a simple and convenient way to access information about Australian import conditions for more than 20 000 plant, animal, microbial, mineral and human products.

Please see the ICON 'Machinery - Used passenger vehicles, used road vehicles including spare parts (non-agricultural)' import case details for detailed conditions on the importation of used vehicles/motorcycles.

source: http://www.daff.gov.au/aqis/import/vehi ... otorcycles

[coachgeo]

Folk I know who have sent Unimogs to Aus for touring or importing have warned of the AQIS inspection. What you think its clean.... they think is a joke. Do it best you can and they will still say its got to be cleaned. They will charge you out the arse a few times over..... after taking your first born son.

If you clean it to medical standards yourself.... they will still clean it again, charge you out the arse.... but they might let you keep your son.

[Crazymanneil]

Thanks guys. Sorry for the slow replies at the moment, pretty busy putting everything together.

Its the registration type inspection thing I am wondering about -

http://www.aaa.asn.au/touring/bringing.htm#registration

I probably need to do a bit more research in this area. I imagine my wife's F650gs should be ok (bar cleaning etc) but no idea what they'll make of mine!

N