Shipping a motorbike to Australia
- Do I have to have owned my motorcycle for 12 months before importing into Australia?
- Will I have to pay an import tax and or GST on the value of my motorcycle for importing to Australia?
- What is the first thing I need to do before considering importing motorcycles to Australia?
Do I have to have owned my motorcycle for 12 months before importing into Australia?
Yes, you must have owned and used the motorcycle for 12 months, and not have been out of that country for more than 42 days in the year that you have owned it. Anyone can import a motorcycle built before 1989.
Will I have to pay an import tax and or GST on the value of my motorcycle for importing to Australia?
The rates, payable to the Australian Customs Service, at the Australian entry port, are:
- Vehicles up to 30 years old including forward control vehicles: 5% Duty + 10% GST
- 4wd 'Off Road' vehicles and Commercial vehicles: 5% Duty + 10% GST
- Vehicles over 30 years old and vehicles: 0% Duty + 10% GST
The duty is levied on the 'customs value' only. The GST is levied on the 'customs value' + the duty + the total ‘cost of shipment’ to Australia figure.
What is the first thing I need to do before considering importing motorcycles to Australia?
You will need to obtain a Vehicle Import Approval (VIA) from the Vehicle Safety Standards Branch of the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government (Infrastructure). See Application for Approval to Import a Vehicle.
