Importing bike to NZ

[cs363]

Just to be pedantic MAF is actually Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.....for what it's worth.

Bringing a bike in is the proverbial piece of piss, providing you have all the relevant shipping docs (Bill of lading & proof of ownership mainly (make sure you have your rego certificate and if possible original bill of sale)) as it's a model that is already available in NZ you shouldn't have any major probs. Things they normally check for besides normal roadworthiness issues are that all the lights have the appropriate 'E' marks (or SAE etc) and that the brake discs are above minimum thickness.
For all the real info, wade through this website: http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/importing/

There is no duty, only sales tax which is 12.5% based on the landed cost (value of bike plus shipping costs in NZ$) though as you've owned the bike for some time I believe they let you off that as long as you don't sell it within a certain period - again, check the LTSA website above for all the required info.
I've just been through all this as I recently imported a bike from the US.
Good luck with yours!

[avgas]

sell yours - buy my fazer 1000.

[YellowDog]

Just to be pedantic MAF is actually Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.....for what it's worth.

Bringing a bike in is the proverbial piece of piss, providing you have all the relevant shipping docs (Bill of lading & proof of ownership mainly (make sure you have your rego certificate and if possible original bill of sale)) as it's a model that is already available in NZ you shouldn't have any major probs. Things they normally check for besides normal roadworthiness issues are that all the lights have the appropriate 'E' marks (or SAE etc) and that the brake discs are above minimum thickness.
For all the real info, wade through this website: http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/importing/

There is no duty, only sales tax which is 12.5% based on the landed cost (value of bike plus shipping costs in NZ$) though as you've owned the bike for some time I believe they let you off that as long as you don't sell it within a certain period - again, check the LTSA website above for all the required info.
I've just been through all this as I recently imported a bike from the US.
Good luck with yours!

Yes, that is correct. Importing a bike to NZ is a nice, easy, and cheap process. Plus the bike will be worth a lot more than in was in the UK.

You get asked to sign a DOU (Document of Undertaking) which basically means that if you sell it within 2 years from the import date, you will have to pay the GST value. If you get a UK valuation before you bring it put, it will save a lot of hassle and MAF over valuation.

It is very important that you clean it thoroughly, including under the mug guards etc. Also, you will need to drain the fuel. There is no import duty to pay, you just need to take it to a Compliance centre (AA or Coventry) and get it registered.

It is very important that you confirm the bike is absolutely 'Stock' and without mods before it gets here. The compliance guys are really switched on to non-standard changes and will fail it without much of an excuse.

Regarding the shipping cost; it cost me nothing at all as it was just loaded in the container with all my other worldly posessions.

Good luck.

[cs363]

It is very important that you clean it thoroughly, including under the mug guards etc. Also, you will need to drain the fuel. There is no import duty to pay, you just need to take it to a Compliance centre (AA or Coventry) and get it registered.

Agreed - My bike was mint when it went into the crate, the MAF guys just took one look and let it go!
And just to expand on YellowDog's comments - yes, fuel needs to be drained from the tank (not washed out or anything just drained) (I filled mine with a rust preventative solution, water based - just to be on the safe side, this stuff here: http://www.evapo-rust.com/) carbs (if fitted) don't need to be drained, battery must be disconnected and terminals taped to prevent arcing.

Oil is fine so no need to drain that, though if you haven't changed it for a while it pays to do an oil change as old oil can have harmful combustion by-products that can damage seals etc if left for long periods.

Shipping costs will depend on size of the crate you put it in and all up weight, and whether you are shipping it in a container of household effects or by itself. make sure you use a few sets of good quality tie downs to secure the bike (not rope etc) as containers can take quite a beating especially in rough seas (and some ports...)
It's also not a bad idea to use a crate slightly larger than you need to create a buffer zone around the bike, especially if shipping long distances.

Just a note for anyone considering air freight, unless the bike is brand new (as in totally unused, never had fuel in it) forget it as it will be classed as DG (dangerous goods) no matter whether you drain the fuel, carbs etc and wash everything out. This will approximately triple the cost of shipping (ouch!)

[portokiwi]

All I know is that it is costing us !000 euro to ship a container from Portugal to Auckland and arrives in 60 days. I get to have some of my toys again

[jonbuoy]

With all due respect, Pickfords are lying to you. MAF (Not Customs) do not require a clean all the time. I have seen several private bikes not require a clean to clear MAF, providing they are SHOWROOM spotless when arriving.

Bear in mind, MAF cleans must be done by MAF approved cleaning facility, and they will spank you until you bleed with costs

And shouldn't the bike be rustproofed from the factory?? What the fuck do they need to smother it in grease for??



For clarification purposes (McJim got it mostly right) motorcycles are duty free in their own right. Above questions are to avoid GST (VAT for those playing at home)

Bikes rust proof?? You should see the state of them after a couple of years of riding on gritted winter roads. I wouldn't coat them in grease but definately a can of CRC or WD40 all over won't go amiss - I still have a few rust spots/dull ally and I did the same. Even if its in a container the sea air will get to it. If your shipping other stuff definately take it with you - your airline baggage will barely be enough for two weeks clothes and some riding gear.

[Bikernereid]

Thanks you guys this is brilliant and has provided lots of food for thought and useful information. Will try and wade through it all in due course and try and find the best solution.

It is great to know that it will be worth more there than it is here!!

[Mully]

Bikes rust proof?? You should see the state of them after a couple of years of riding on gritted winter roads. I wouldn't coat them in grease but definately a can of CRC or WD40 all over won't go amiss - I still have a few rust spots/dull ally and I did the same. .

Ahh, see, they don't put grit on Auckland roads, so I wouldn't know about that.

[YellowDog]

Thanks you guys this is brilliant and has provided lots of food for thought and useful information. Will try and wade through it all in due course and try and find the best solution.

It is great to know that it will be worth more there than it is here!!

I bought the bike I brough over for GB£1400 in 2004 and sold it here in Jan 2008 for NZ$5500.

Amazing!

If I had known I would have bought a few over!

[McJim]

I bought the bike I brough over for GB£1400 in 2004 and sold it here in Jan 2008 for NZ$5500.

Amazing!

If I had known I would have bought a few over!

Yeah, NZ gubermint has a problem with people making a living so that's why the 2 year rule comes in (GST not duty for the pedantic tax people and customs officers.)

[Bikernereid]

I bought the bike I brough over for GB£1400 in 2004 and sold it here in Jan 2008 for NZ$5500.

Amazing!

If I had known I would have bought a few over!

OWNER recons that we wouldn't make anything on our FAZER as he has seen them for pretty much the same price as we pad here £2500. As I am not there I have no clue and can't argue with what he has experienced. Maybe you have hit on a business idea, we have someone in the UK that ships to order for those peeps looking for cheaper bikes than are available in NZ!

[YellowDog]

Nice idea!

In UK bikes are cheap in the winter so you can export to the NZ summer time where they are expensive.

The only issues would be GST and Shipping.

"This time next year Rodders, we're gonna be miwlyenaers'

[Bikernereid]

Nice idea!

In UK bikes are cheap in the winter so you can export to the NZ summer time where they are expensive.

The only issues would be GST and Shipping.

"This time next year Rodders, we're gonna be miwlyenaers'

I would have thought that if you could ship enough over it would make fiscal sense to but cheap here and sell in NZ. Might be worth looking into as I have so many biker friends here who might be into making a buck.

[Snails pace]

[QUOTE=Mully;1686056]With all due respect, Pickfords are lying to you. MAF (Not Customs) do not require a clean all the time. I have seen several private bikes not require a clean to clear MAF, providing they are SHOWROOM spotless when arriving.

Bear in mind, MAF cleans must be done by MAF approved cleaning facility, and they will spank you until you bleed with costs

Just shipped my bike, rather dirty, from South America. It was covered in 8 months worth of grime. Cost $140 to have it cleaned by MAF. A good hand wash and you would be laughing.

[Bikernereid]

[QUOTE=Snails pace;1693288]

With all due respect, Pickfords are lying to you. MAF (Not Customs) do not require a clean all the time. I have seen several private bikes not require a clean to clear MAF, providing they are SHOWROOM spotless when arriving.

Bear in mind, MAF cleans must be done by MAF approved cleaning facility, and they will spank you until you bleed with costs

Just shipped my bike, rather dirty, from South America. It was covered in 8 months worth of grime. Cost $140 to have it cleaned by MAF. A good hand wash and you would be laughing.

Thanks mate.