Importing bikes from America

ukchop · Post by **ukchop** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 11:15 pm

Just wondering if anyone has imported a bike from the States? I looked in to it when we moved out here, and was told you had to have owned the bike for 2 years prior to import, but looks like that may not be the case.
Thanks

evantx · Post by **evantx** » Tue Dec 22, 2009 11:22 pm

i have been looking into it and it seems to be pretty easy if it is made prior to 1989. just stay away from assembled bike titles.

Neo Dutch · Post by **Neo Dutch** » Wed Dec 23, 2009 1:20 pm

There is an age limit. If it's late model, you must have been a resident in the USA for at least a year, and owned a vehicle for at least a year. You will be required to prove this. If you import it, and customs decide it's a grey import then they will return it to the port of origin and then bill and fine you. This applies to brands and models that have an distributor in this country.

Thespis · Post by **Thespis** » Wed Dec 23, 2009 1:41 pm

Neo Dutch wrote:<snip>This applies to brands and models that have an distributor in this country.

This applies to any vehicle, not just those you can buy here.

There is a reasonably useful website the gumbiment maintain that explains it all. If you'd like, I'll post the details when I get back to Perth on Friday. (I'm in The Hunter at the mo ....family crisis)

oyamum · Post by **oyamum** » Sat Dec 26, 2009 7:41 am

i have been keen on this for a while as i am in the middle of stripping down a ute cab and sending it over to the states for a bloke who i have become mates with over the net as iv done a *#@** load of work on this ute for him he keeps telling me if i want a bike or car from there he is more than happy to help out where he can..... i wonder if its worth it??

Ol Fart · Post by **Ol Fart** » Sat Dec 26, 2009 8:15 am

It's not for the faint hearted.

If you are a US resident and you plan to live here, you can bring a vehicle or two with you. There are rules but it's perfectly legal.

If you are a US resident and you want to bring one here for travel, Its fine, a couple of hoops to jump through, you cant sell it here and it must return with you. Much like touring with your own bike in the US.

However, importing bikes for fun and profit is not for the faint hearted. Dont ever buy a complete "kit bike" and expect to arrive in the post. Customs will simply send it back., It's against all the rules.

Much better to buy it in 2 or 3 separate shipments, or do a deal with an importer of bike and cars. He has already done the paperwork, jumped through the hoops and should charge appropriately for his service.

There are a couple of people on eBay and in Bike Bits who specialise in bringing in bikes, talk to them first.

Thespis · Post by **Thespis** » Sat Dec 26, 2009 11:10 am

Thespis wrote:
Neo Dutch wrote:<snip>This applies to brands and models that have an distributor in this country.
This applies to any vehicle, not just those you can buy here.

There is a reasonably useful website the gumbiment maintain that explains it all. If you'd like, I'll post the details when I get back to Perth on Friday. (I'm in The Hunter at the mo ....family crisis)

http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/ ... index.aspx and play "Follow the links"