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[FM350]

Why not make contact with someone importing classic cars? The more expensive ones are often shipped in containers, and in many cases there is room for a bike or 2, and rates are likely to much cheaper for just taking up the space...........

[pop]

It costs around $1000 to import a single bike from the US,Around $800 if you bring more than one, however there are a few things to consider,
"location in the US" Most things are shipped out of Garden grove or San Francisco ,
if you buy a bike in Oregon for example it can cost $600 us just to get it to the container , bikes don't have to be crated, just drained of fuel,roll on/roll off, you need to supply the shipper in oz good photos of frame and engine numbers and bike,then there is the customs charge around 10% of the purchase price, receipts must be supplied,
you need a good shipper to work out all the paperwork, most off-road bikes don't have a title, so it can be tricky, then you take a gamble on what you buy! pictures can be deceptive, what looks good in a pic, can look quite different in the flesh,there is a lot of emails back and forth to get it all right
the Aussie dollar is real strong against US dollar and has been for awhile, i took advantage and bought 7 bikes over, these where all great buys "in my opinion"
Lastly the wait....... don't be in a hurry!! it takes months to make it all come together , 45 Days on the water just the boat trip alone, you need to buy from trustworthy people, US folks are great people, most like us Aussies , Ive made some great mates from buying some of my bikes, some guys i wouldn't buy from again, there are some top bikes in the states, but you get what you pay for !!

great info ,many thanks

I am lucky, i have an importer as a mate

Cheers Adam

[trialsmutha]

Why not make contact with someone importing classic cars? The more expensive ones are often shipped in containers, and in many cases there is room for a bike or 2, and rates are likely to much cheaper for just taking up the space...........

My bikes came in containers with cars !!, if you can "shop around "and find someone who will do all the paperwork, title searches, insure them, load them, unload them, wash them for customs and do it cheaper, you would have a great business right there , lets know how you go? i can give you plenty of work

[FM350]

If you have a good contact in the US the easiest and cheapest way to ship a bike is to strip it completely, crate it and ship it as parts. M8 of mine has done loads like that, but you must have someone in the US who can strip and crate properly.

[Tee-Why]

Crating my bikes as we speak, bikes to be transported to Feetup Funland next month.

Using standard Jap dirt bike crates, plenty of room for a trials bike and room for other gear. These pics are during assembly and not complete, will finish with ply wood covers tomorrow.

The road bike, well thats in a different type crate (Truimph) and will need some frame material added before its finished. Bike is in there to try it for size.

This is ok to send in Aus, but volume being the key for O.S. transport, the smaller the better. My brother recieved for the US, 2x MX bikes collapsed down to minimal height, and packed all around. another complete bike was sent in pieces, a lot cheaper if the sender can be bothered to go to the effort.

Edit - corrected image titles

[pop]

So is it possible to get cheap fight to the US and pick up a rental van and some wooden boxes, go around and find some bikes, pull them apart and put all the parts in the boxes, and stick a stamp on and send them back as a birthday present

[The Hell Team]

Having imported a lot of bikes over the last ten years I would suggest anyone interested have a very good look at the Department of Transport and Regional Services website. Look carefully at the Import approval forms and fees that need to be lodged BEFORE you ship, and think long and hard about sending a complete bike in bits and calling it parts. The Customs folks are not stupid. It could, and probably will be, a very very expensive exercise if you try and pull a fast one.
Also get good advice on the local charges because there are many. You will pay duty and GST, and many small and varied port, government and local clearance charges. Do not be fooled by the OS freight company who tell you they can ship for $xxxxx , there will be more I guarantee it.
IMHO of course.

[trialsmutha]

Having imported a lot of bikes over the last ten years I would suggest anyone interested have a very good look at the Department of Transport and Regional Services website. Look carefully at the Import approval forms and fees that need to be lodged BEFORE you ship, and think long and hard about sending a complete bike in bits and calling it parts. The Customs folks are not stupid. It could, and probably will be, a very very expensive exercise if you try and pull a fast one.
Also get good advice on the local charges because there are many. You will pay duty and GST, and many small and varied port, government and local clearance charges. Do not be fooled by the OS freight company who tell you they can ship for $xxxxx , there will be more I guarantee it.
IMHO of course.

Thank you!!! someone who actually knows what's really involved

[pop]

Having imported a lot of bikes over the last ten years I would suggest anyone interested have a very good look at the Department of Transport and Regional Services website. Look carefully at the Import approval forms and fees that need to be lodged BEFORE you ship, and think long and hard about sending a complete bike in bits and calling it parts. The Customs folks are not stupid. It could, and probably will be, a very very expensive exercise if you try and pull a fast one.
Also get good advice on the local charges because there are many. You will pay duty and GST, and many small and varied port, government and local clearance charges. Do not be fooled by the OS freight company who tell you they can ship for $xxxxx , there will be more I guarantee it.
IMHO of course.

I thought that would be the case, a 6'x2' wooden box wrapped in happy birthday paper would look odd for sure, but I think as soon as the customs boys see old TS parts in a box should drop all rules and charges and rush off and try and catch the drug/illegal firearm importes.