- Age - There is some confusion about this but the guidelines the current guidelines allow for most new Harleys up to 2012 models to be imported . To find out if the bike you is applicable then click here and scroll down the page List of Approved bikes . The bike has to have been registered , has a few miles on the clock and have a valid US Title . Some non-Harley models are on the list but there are issues with getting getting them done . Ask me if this applies to you
Proximity – The closer the bike is to where the shipping company is the cheaper the road freight . A bike that is a long distance from the port of exit in the USA will cost you more in land freight . Paying extra for a bike that is closer often works out cheaper so keep that in mind
Condition – Buying sight unseen is a real problem . Especially with older bikes . It might cost you but I always recommend getting a Dealer Inspection Report . It will let you know what you are getting into and let you know the real condition of the bike . However , if the bike is less than 5 years old and from a dealer you might want to take the risk
Title – US Rego papers are called Titles . But there are a number of things on them that can get you into strife – Make sure the Title is in the last owners name and make sure they fill in the section on the back signing the bike over to you . If it isn't it will make exporting more difficult . This is called a Floating Title and I generally avoid them like the plague as the seller has to change it over to their name . This takes time and if someone is to lazy to do it in the first place getting them to do it when they have your money can be tricky . Salvage Title – As far as the powers that be go these can not be registered here so I recommend avoiding these . You can not register a Salvage title bike in Australia so only look into them as a source of parts . If the Title is showing Finance or a Lien then that must be cleared before the bike is allowed to be exported . I'd avoid those also .
Preparation for shipping –The rules recently changed for bikes . Bikes now need to have less then a quarter tank of petrol , battery disconnected & the terminals taped over , the keys zip tied to the front brake line and the entire bike thoroughly cleaned . Make sure that the bike is given a good wash in the US too and all oil leak stains removed . Otherwise the AQIS cleaners will pressure wash you bike to within an inch of it's life when it lands and it will cost you extra. Always try to get the seller to do this for you as it will save you money
Sea Freight – Whether you do it yourself or through an Importation Service someone has to deal with Sea Freight . If doing it yourself avoid companies that over complicate the process . Find someone you can talk to and that will help you through the process . If you can't understand it then don't agree to anything before it is properly explained to you . Make sure you get insurance and it is explained to you . Most Importantly – Make sure they spell out not only what is included but what isn't . Most will be very helpful and avoid the ones that aren't . If you really can't get through this it's time to contract an Importation Service to help you .
Ignore most of what is said online . Most is out of date , wrong or opinion . Research with government departments is boring but it's the way forward .
Pre-89 – Stock is King . Pre-89 imports can get away with more but it still has to pass Import Approval . Pre 89' bikes currently need a clean US Title in your name , a bill of sale , a clear photo of the bike and then with all that you can apply for an Import Approval . The bike in the photo will need to match the bike in the container as they do check . Avoid bikes with an Aftermarket frame as this usually causes all sorts of problems . Requirements for registering these vary from state to state but all require bikes meet the ADR's for their year of manufacture .
For 89 & up it's a more strict procedure . The RAWS requirements are rigid and in-flexible . Sure that Nightrod may sound awesome with those aftermarket pipes but they will need to be replaced with OEM units in Australia . On some models there are significant differences between local & US Models . These will have to be converted to ADR standard at an extra cost .
RAWS – Registered Australian Workshop Scheme – These small number of businesses have a monopoly on converting Imports to meet ADR's . Only a RAWS approved workshop can apply for an Import Approval for a Post 1989 vehicle . They are restricted by the Dept. of Infrastructure as to what makes , models and years they are permitted to do . Once a RAWS workshop applies for an Import Approval for a your post 1989 vehicle ONLY that workshop is permitted to do the compliancing . So you are locked in to them . Once a bike has passed RAWS compliancing it is issued an Australian Compliance Plate and can be registered like any other vehicle that is currently unregistered .
Import Approvals – Pre December 1988 the buyer or the Importation Service can apply for this . See the pre-89 section for details . Bikes made after December 1988 need to have a RAWS workshop apply for the Import Approval . Import Approvals for Pre-89' models are currently backlogged and can now take up to 6 weeks to process . RAWS complianced models only need 10 days however. The Import Approval needs to be cleared before the bike can be shipped so plan earlier then you thought for older bikes . So talk to your importer or sea freight forwarder as they can usually get you a secure warehouse to stash the bike until the ship sales . Most sea freight companies will give you 30 days free storage however regardless . Importation Services usually don't have a set time limit .
AQIS – Australian Quarantine Inspection Service – These are private companies authorised to perform inspections and cleaning . Under the rules every vehicle and used spare parts must be inspected . Any traces of dirt , oil or other foreign matter and the whole lot has to be steam cleaned . This can be pricy. With DIY imports they will probably make you do this . Most Importation Services have an established track record and will often avoid this . The bike will still be inspected but if it's been cleaned properly then it's cleared . If it's dirty then it goes for steam cleaning . The cost is currently 6 times that of the inspection so it pays to get the bike cleaned in the US and it adds an average of 10 days to the delivery time .
Value Adds – It's a sales term that describes the extras on a sale – These can make the deal sweeter so price them out . Remember that it's cheaper to get work done in the US then Australia so shop around . Parts are cheaper and sea freight is way cheaper than airmail . It also includes stock parts to help compliance your bike at RAWS. So look at what extras you can bring back at the same time but make sure you have Bills of sale for everything and have notified the freight forwarder if you are doing it yourself or your Importation Service if using one . Regardless , you will generally be charged a general freight rate . Avoid anything that can be classed as hazardous goods like batteries , oil or paint as it is a major headache . Some Importers will have a spare parts deal that will allow you to ship these extra's either free or at a reduced rate so ask . At Chopaweeza we have a parts allowance that allows some extra's to come free for example
Foreign Objects – It's a speech I give to all my clients and I have very good reasons for it . Drugs , guns , flick knives and all nature of things like that may seem easy to sneak back inside a bike or a box of parts but it's a losing proposition . These containers and their contents are checked , checked and re-checked in the US & here thanks to the misguided perception that all bikers are criminals . The people doing it have a lot of experience doing this type of thing and regardless of what clever idea someone has about smuggling , the Customs people have seen it all before and their dogs have too . Motorcycles are frequently singled out and if they find anything it's a pretty serious thing . Besides the legal consequences you will forfeit all your goods .
Common Sense – Approach the importing of your bike like a business would . Don't jump on the first one , be objective about it , do a lot of research and try not to be emotional about it . That last one is hard to do but look beyond the paint and chrome if you can. If something doesn't seem right then get a second opinion from someone with experience with that make/model or your Importation Service if you are using one . Be prepared to walk away if it doesn't all add up .
DIY Importing – If you do your homework you can do it yourself . It can be a complex or a simple thing depending on what you are bring in . If you are doing it yourself scan the government websites and make sure you have up to date information before you commit . It is more complex overall for a late model import but you can also do that yourself . The key to DIY is Research . Then more Research . Don't take the word of the bloke from the pub or some 2 year old internet thread do quality research yourself . Just don't expect one of the Importers to explain everything in detail or expect them to fix your mistakes for free . We are afterall businesses and our time costs .
Using an Importation Service like Chopaweeza Enterprises- If DIY doesn't yield the result you were after or you are unsure then you can always contract an Import Service .There are several companies that I am aware of that offer services to the public Including mine. Shop around and get a service you are happy with . Make sure you can understand what is & isn't in their pricing . Companies like mine do this for a living and the risk factor is greatly reduced as a result . If you have a clear idea of what you want then I can better help you . Decide on the Model(s) you are interested in , any features these need to have like paint and year range .With an Importation Service you also gain access to their expertise and contacts . They usually know the best places to buy bikes , the ways to safely purchase the bike and all the small details that can trip you up . With most you are paying for this expertise so use it .
Choppers & Other non-stock bikes – They are cool but they are a pain to import . With One Exception you can not legally import & compliance any chopper or Special Construction bike . Many go to all the hassle to have one stripped down in the US and shipped here as parts only to find it is nearly impossible to register . There are some that can legally be bought in but most of those are restricted to the shops that paid for the compliancing in the first place . With ONE Only Exception . It's a generally a major headache and something I recommend you avoid like the plague . That one exception will be available shortly and will be only available through Chopaweeza . Thats really all I can say at this time but email me if interested .
Offroad and Race bikes . These have to be vehicles that can not be road registered but of they are clearly for offroad or track use then it's pretty straight forward . Just a case of the right paperwork and sacrificing a virgin mango to the gods of vehicle importing . It is a headache as it is up to the assessor to judge if your bike will be granted but it's doable . With race bikes you will also need to prove your active involvement in the sport and that the bike can't be converted for the road . Can be tricky but it's a doable thing .
Personal Imports - Unless you are currently living in the USA , have done so for over 12 months , have owned the vehicle for more then 12 months AND have all the supporting documents to prove it then forget it . If you do meet these requirements then talk to me about how I can save you about $3000 on bringing a bike into Australia .
SEVS - Specialised Enthusiast Vehicle Scheme - Have a rare stock production bike you want to import or a specialist vehicle . SEVS is the possible answer . It is a difficult process to go through , the documentation needed is substantial and there are no guarantees it will be successful . A good Import Agent will be able to give you a free assessment of your chances with any given bike . Remember , it will have to be modified to pass ADR's if it intended for use on the road and this isn't cheap .
Airfreighting bikes - The worse idea ever . The air freight companies are impossible to deal with even for someone with experience . The costs are huge , the paperwork require changes daily but is huge and I never ever recommend it . I will never ever again ship a bike this way so don't even ask . I'd rather have my teeth pulled .
Caveat Emporer – Buyer Beware – Shop around . Compare Quotes. Read the fine print . Find out was is and what isn't included on every aspect of the importation or purchase . Find businesses that you can talk to and understand . Don't be afraid to ask questions . Find someone else if they can't or won't answer all your questions . You are the customer and it's your money afterall
The Next Step - If you've gone to the trouble of reading this entire piece then you have a good grounding in the basics and are equipped to understand alot of the terms we use . If you want to Import yourself then all the best . If you want to use an Importation Service you might consider Chopaweeza . Clear , Transparent , No hidden costs and everything up front . -
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It can not be reproduced inwhole or in part without the express written permission of Wayne Johnson of Chopaweeza Enterprises .
