Importing from the UK

[Geemsee]

I've been in NZ for a while now and although the ZX636 i've been riding round on is ok and does the job reasonably well, its just not the same as my Ducati... for many reasons.... not all of which I can explain!?:drool:

Anyway, whilst I'm back visiting the old country, I'm going to arrange to get it shipped over. The LTNZ site seems to have lots of information about what to do with proof of ownership and conformity issues, so (hopefully) that won't be a problem:laugh:.

So does anyone have any suggestions, recommendations, horror stories on shipping and shipping companies?!

[Dave Lobster]

Why not sell it and buy one here? Less effort.. and you wont need to put it through compliance testing. You wont have customs on your back if you decide to sell it. You can bring one vehicle in GST free when you arrive. Not sure if you can do it once you've been here a while.

Lots of effort.. I wouldn't bother.

[Molly]

I've brought two bikes over. My first in '04 was a Harley FXST that I'd owned in the UK for over a year. That one was dropped on its side by arsehole handlers somewhere along the way. The second one (a Guzzi V11) I owned for nine months whilst working in the Isle of Man and that I couldn't bear to part with. It made it OK (love that bike).

The first thing I'd say is that from a financial point of view it really isn't worth it. There's not a lot in it after GST, shipping, insurance and that NZ new bikes will be more desirable come the time to sell. Besides, look at the exchange rate at the moment. You're just as well to spend your money here.

Better to use your time getting advice on good Kiwi bike dealers. I've bought a good few bikes from Christchurch dealers over the past four years and have been happy enough with their service.

So, unless you're sentimentally attached to a particular bike, sell it, convert the money to $ and look forward to shopping around once you get here.

As an aside, look at HiFX.com (.co.uk?) for transferring money. Saved us quite a bit in fees and you can book a rate.

[popelli]

have shipped bikes to NZ from uk and vice versa

horror stories

make sure that the price includes handling at the other end, otherwise you might get stung for $00's just to handle your bike out of a container - NZ VAN LINES yes it cost almost as much to move a bike from one side of a warehouse to the other as it did 12,000 miles around the world

fork hoists - you have to empty all fluids out of bikes with some companies - that way when the centre punch them with fork hoist forks and punch holes in the engine casings they don't leak oil - insurance paid out on this one less the usual excess's and deductions

non water tight shipping containers, crate arrives soaked in water because the shipping container was damaged - insurance company tried to claim it was normal condensation - unfortunately for them I had worked in the shipping industry and asked for the sku # of the container and a copy of its post shipping inspection report they posted the cheque the following day

shipping, is it worth it, yes if you can escape VAT / GST and you have something unique

otherwise if you can sell at a realistic price in the country of departure there is no point in shipping bikes

[BM-GS]

GST shouldn't be an issue if you've owned the bike for more than 12 months.

Unless you're shipping a load of stuff in the container with it, I'd flog the bike in the UK & buy another one here - unless you've spent a load on mods to the bike. If shipping the bike inside a container of other stuff, make sure it comes as a seperate consignment (check the rules at both ends, that was how it was in 2003). And copy all the docs to bring back with you for when the shippers screw up, like Pickfords did.

You need to deregister the bike in the UK & re-reg it here, but one just needs you to wait around at your local DoT office (and probably hand in the reg plate now), the other is like a WoF, but they give you a plate & record the VIN. If you have to hand back the UK plate, it could be fun getting out of the warehouse to the WoF shop... Things to watch out for are things like braided lines or light-lenses with no E mark, etc. Std stuff will be fine.

[Molly]

My Harley had new Goodridge lines with screw fittings. Once here I had to put the bike through brake certification (a stage you need to go through before you put it through the initial MOT / registration inspection thingy). They rejected it because NZ only permits the press-fit type of fittings.

It's little frustrations like that that'll make you wish you hadn't bothered.

NZ Customs are nice to deal with (but I would say that - I used to be a NZ Customs officer) and there'll be a MAF inspection to ensure it was disinfected / steam cleaned and isn't full of seeds or bugs). It all has to be paid for.

[Forest]

I had a very bad experience with Jas Jenners, who are the local agent for Austin International.

I would recommend strongly that you avoid either of these two companies.

Details about what went wrong are in the following thread.

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=84951

[want-a-harley]

If you do ship, get insurance, make sure it's spotless MAF are a right pain in the arse. I recently shipped half a container load of stuff from UK, used Anglo Pacific, they were awesome. I did not ship a bike but did ask about shipping my vespa. I think it was going to be 120quid to house it in something and involved extra hassle and I was going to move to a clutch and gears anyway so just flogged.

With MAF they decided I hadn't cleaned a tent properly (even tho I'd spent 3 hours doing it befor packing it), they charged me over 200 bucks to clean and for the pleasure of their inspection (I hate MAF).

[Eddieb]

I used rojay.co.uk. Delivered the bike to their depot myself as the local roads were too tight for their trucks and packed it in a crate I scored off the Triumph dealer in sth London for free.

It was in a container and away 2 days after I dropped it off and took about 5 weeks to get here with no issues.

[Geemsee]

Thanks for all the advice guys, food for thought!

I've still got a bit of time to think about it but although it is a great bike I'm not sure if I can be bothered with all the hassle so i'll probably sell it and buy another one out here!!

Cheers

[ceebie13]

I can only refer you to a post I submitted ages ago when I was known as "Ninja51"

http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=8968&highlight=Frontier+Forwarding

Good luck!

[Geemsee]

I've been in NZ for a while now and although the ZX636 i've been riding round on is ok and does the job reasonably well, its just not the same as my Ducati... for many reasons.... not all of which I can explain!?:drool:

Anyway, whilst I'm back visiting the old country, I'm going to arrange to get it shipped over. The LTNZ site seems to have lots of information about what to do with proof of ownership and conformity issues, so (hopefully) that won't be a problem:laugh:.

So does anyone have any suggestions, recommendations, horror stories on shipping and shipping companies?!
...also what I should have said (which could affect my decision!) was that my employers here will pay for the shipment costs (and probably the reregistering!!) ...have I just answered my own question here?!?! :woohoo:

[colsan1]

I brought mine over and believe me,as has been said already, its not worth it.
we place to much sentimental value on our bikes.
flog it and buy another here in nz.
you'll need new pads all round and possibly new discs (depending on weather the compliance tester got a leg over or not the night before)
you pay gst on the combined value of the bike AND the cost of shipping AND insuring it while its in transit.
Throw in the cost of rego and wof and your left with a big hole in your pocket.