Want to temporarily import my ZX6-R from USA

**nerve2** · 17th February 2007, 10:48

Just picked up an 07 ZX6-R here in America to bring along on my trip to New Zealand (8 months). Best shipping quote is $1100 USD so far, does anyone have a sense of how difficult clearing customs / inspection is going to be? The bike is clean and will probably have less than 1000 miles on it when it makes it's way across the ocean in a few weeks. Do I need a carnet for a bike?

Any shipping companies you guys would recommend? Am I mad for trying to use a sportbike for daily driver in NZ throughout the winter? (Won't stop me, just curious what you guys think. I'll be living in Dunedin, primarly, which sounds like gets a lot of light rain days but usually nothing torrential.

Look forward to riding with you guys!

Thanks,
James

**Madness** · 17th February 2007, 10:55

Welcome to KB.

They sell 07 ZX6r's here too ya know.

**Karma** · 17th February 2007, 11:14

Originally Posted by nerve2

Am I mad for trying to use a sportbike for daily driver in NZ throughout the winter? (Won't stop me, just curious what you guys think. I'll be living in Dunedin, primarly, which sounds like gets a lot of light rain days but usually nothing torrential.

Look forward to riding with you guys!

Thanks,
James

Welcome James.

Can you get snow chains for a ZX6R?

**nerve2** · 17th February 2007, 11:16

Would've bought one there, but I didn't want to deal with permanently importing it back into America, let alone California.

Could get some cables for the rear tire I s'pose. :P Does Dunedin get much snow?

**Karma** · 17th February 2007, 11:17

Originally Posted by nerve2

Does Dunedin get much snow?

do bears shit in the woods?

**Disco Dan** · 17th February 2007, 11:21

Originally Posted by Weasel

do bears shit in the woods?

good thing its still summer here then....

**Karma** · 17th February 2007, 11:28

This might give you a clearer idea.

http://www.niwascience.co.nz/ncc/cs/...um_06_3_winter

There are people that ride in the south island, but you gotta factor in it's gonna be fairly chilly, and the availability of a decent latte isn't all that great

**K6K** · 17th February 2007, 11:41

Originally Posted by nerve2

Just picked up an 07 ZX6-R here in America to bring along on my trip to New Zealand (8 months). Best shipping quote is $1100 USD so far, does anyone have a sense of how difficult clearing customs / inspection is going to be? The bike is clean and will probably have less than 1000 miles on it when it makes it's way across the ocean in a few weeks. Do I need a carnet for a bike?

Any shipping companies you guys would recommend? Am I mad for trying to use a sportbike for daily driver in NZ throughout the winter? (Won't stop me, just curious what you guys think. I'll be living in Dunedin, primarly, which sounds like gets a lot of light rain days but usually nothing torrential.

Look forward to riding with you guys!

Thanks,
James

You would need a carnet to ride it on NZ roads. Have a look at getting a Carnet through your local auto club (AAA?)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carnet_de_Passage
I think you would just have to cover the GST (12.5%), so you would put up a bond for 12.5% of the market value here in NZ - Approx 15k x 12.5% = $1875
Over here you can either stump up the cash, or sign a guarantee or something. Depending on the auto club you maybe able to pay a smaller non refundable amount (say a couple of hundred) as a sort of "insurance".
If you get a carnet you won't have to get it vinned (first time registration for the road). So you would be riding on american plates for the 8 months. Depending on how different your plates look compared to NZ ones, that could be a cop magnet! Especially on a bike. Though you maybe able to play the tourist...."sorry I'm used to miles officer" I wouldn't like to give odds on that working!
Insurance is not required by law in NZ, so I don't think you would have to organize it over there as part of the carnet/import proceedures. I would do some research and see if you can get it cheaper over here.
Good luck.

**Meanie** · 17th February 2007, 11:43

Welcome to kb James you should love riding round NZ but as someone has said you can get the same bike over here, may save you some money and they seem to hold thier value for resale

**ajturbo** · 17th February 2007, 11:47

Originally Posted by nerve2

Just picked up an 07 ZX6-R here in America to bring along on my trip to New Zealand (8 months). Best shipping quote is $1100 USD so far, does anyone have a sense of how difficult clearing customs / inspection is going to be? The bike is clean and will probably have less than 1000 miles on it when it makes it's way across the ocean in a few weeks. Do I need a carnet for a bike?

Any shipping companies you guys would recommend? Am I mad for trying to use a sportbike for daily driver in NZ throughout the winter? (Won't stop me, just curious what you guys think. I'll be living in Dunedin, primarly, which sounds like gets a lot of light rain days but usually nothing torrential.

Look forward to riding with you guys!

Thanks,
James

is that 1100 each way?... that is nearly 4k nz!.. store your bike, buy a second hand shitter from some sheep shangin southlander for 3k.
just before you leave, sell it back to same sheep shagger for 4k... you go home all happy... banjo playing sheep shagger happy to get back ol' shitter...
everyone happy .. you not poorer..

**Karma** · 17th February 2007, 12:02

Originally Posted by ajturbo

is that 1100 each way?... that is nearly 4k nz!.. store your bike, buy a second hand shitter from some sheep shangin southlander for 3k.
just before you leave, sell it back to same sheep shagger for 4k... you go home all happy... banjo playing sheep shagger happy to get back ol' shitter...
everyone happy .. you not poorer..

I'll give you 3k for your bike

**ajturbo** · 17th February 2007, 14:37

Originally Posted by Weasel

I'll give you 3k for your bike

wow... that is MORE THAN TWICE what one sold for on trademe LAST WEEK!!!
what to do? call your bluff and sell?
and IF i agree will it stand up in court?? if you pull out?

hahahahahahah

**Mully** · 17th February 2007, 18:27

Jas Jenners (Auckland) do a lot of vehicles ex the States (in particular Long Beach) in containers. I don't remember their US agent's name, but you can visit their kiwi website (www.jasjenners.co.nz) and contact Phil, he's a good guy.

Yes, you will need a Carnet issued in the States. Nothing is payable to Customs in NZ, as this is guaranteed by the Carnet but factor in NZ$100ish for MAF inspection (despite it being a newish bike) and maybe the same for Customs Clearance etc (Phil can quote). Jas can deal with Customs Clearance etc in NZ.

Hope this helps. I work in freight, but my company doesn't touch vehicles. If you need any more info, PM me.

Cheers,
Marcus

**nerve2** · 20th February 2007, 20:58

Thanks for all the replies guys, rode about 400 miles this weekend- want to get break-in out of the way and feel the 16.5k redline! Bike is more compact than it looks, but really sharp and stays planted once you set your line.

Got a better shipping quote, $795 (USD).

I think you guys might have the wrong idea about California. I'm from Northern California (close to the OR border) we get seasons (including snow) and whatnot. Below freezing is not uncommon in the winter, so I'm not a stranger to chilly weather- kind've like it actually.

Going to start filling out the paper work for a carnet and hopefully get the ball rolling on all this. Thanks again!