Importing bike to NZ

**Bikernereid** · 29th July 2008, 08:39

I have become emotionally and after over 7000k in 2 months, physically attached to mine n OWNERs little Yamaha Fazer 600 and am interested to know if anyone else has imported a bike into NZ. If yes I would like to know how much I am looking to pay and if there is duty/tax to be paid on a bike that is over 4 years old and that has over 20,000k on the clock. I am not sure if it is more financially viable to sell the bike here (it would be in the winter which is never the best time to sell) or to import it into NZ.

Any advice or experiences would be very welcome.

**CB ARGH** · 29th July 2008, 09:12

Get one of those bags that you hokup to a vaccum cleaner to make the contents smaller, then it's really small and cheap to post.

**Freebird** · 29th July 2008, 09:20

Hi,

I brought over my CBR1100XX 2 years ago there are a few cost getting it on the road (MAF check and entery test) but no duty unless you sell it here. the biggest down side for me is the MPH speedo and the poxey 62mph speed limit here.

After driving the car (kmph clock) I quite often find myself doing 100mph

, if I get caught I don't think that will stand up in court

**Bikernereid** · 29th July 2008, 09:26

How much was it to ship in if I can ask? MAF, is that like our service history or M.O.T? I have no clue.

I am not worried about the mph/kph as this bike has a digital system which flips between the two. Luckily I am used to driving in both mph and kph so can switch between the two without being too over the limit -ish ;-)

Originally Posted by Freebird

Hi,

I brought over my CBR1100XX 2 years ago there are a few cost getting it on the road (MAF check and entery test) but no duty unless you sell it here. the biggest down side for me is the MPH speedo and the poxey 62mph speed limit here.

After driving the car (kmph clock) I quite often find myself doing 100mph

, if I get caught I don't think that will stand up in court

**Swoop** · 29th July 2008, 09:38

Originally Posted by Bikern1mpho

MAF, is that like our service history or M.O.T? I have no clue.

Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. MAF.

The bike needs to be really clean! Steam cleaned and polished up, type clean.
They are pedantic buggers here.

**Bikernereid** · 29th July 2008, 09:42

Who looks like an Ass now? I had a bad 2 hour experience coming into NZ with my trecking boots so can only imagine just how bad they would be re a bike. Yikes

Originally Posted by Swoop

Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. MAF.

The bike needs to be really clean! Steam cleaned and polished up, type clean.
They are pedantic buggers here.

**Patch** · 29th July 2008, 09:42

send it over in bits - easier to avoid paying tax that way

**Bikernereid** · 1st August 2008, 20:34

I don't have that much free time!! Will sell it and borrow one of OWNERs bikes!

Originally Posted by Patch

send it over in bits - easier to avoid paying tax that way

**Scruffygit** · 11th August 2008, 22:06

I'm shipping my Blackbird over at the moment.

I'm using Pickfords and it's costing me an extra £450 sipping and £150 insurance on top of all my other baggage in a shared container. The bonus with them is that they collect from your home rather than you having to ride her to a collection depot as required by some shippers.

Re the cleaning, I was told by Pickfords not to bother getting her steam cleaned in the UK because the NZ customs will almost certainly insist on having it done on entry irrespective of how clean it is so you end up paying twice. Instead just give her a good clean and then coat everything in grease/ACF50 for corrosion protection during the journey - the steam cleaning here will remove it.

The biggest hassle was getting the letter of conformity from Honda UK. As an Australian model bike they didn't want to know. A couple of contacts from here but posting on a UK 'Bird website were god-sends with there help and advice.

I'm told I will have import duty and WoF/registration to pay but not GST if I keep her for another two years and, as a bonus, will get more for her here than I would in the UK - prices for used bikes are extortionate compared to the UK.

**jrandom** · 12th August 2008, 21:07

Originally Posted by Bikern1mpho

I have become... physically attached to mine n OWNERs little Yamaha Fazer 600

I done told you, get up off the seat before the leakage dries!

**McJim** · 12th August 2008, 21:08

Questions:
How long have you owned the bike? Answer = more than 2 years.
How long will you be in New Zealand? Answer = settling here.

Then you won't have to pay duty on the bike coz you are not importing it for sale (however you must not sell it in the next 2 years).

If your answers to the above questions differ from those posted here then you may have to pay duty.

Compliance and registration should be no problem since the Fazer 600 is available new here and will probably be the same spec.

**Kwaka14** · 12th August 2008, 21:10

One of the guys from work has just brought in his R1 and R6 from the uk and found it was much cheaper/ easier to have the bike de reg'd in the uk and bring it in to NZ as a race bike, I'll see if I can get the details of who in yamaha to contact etc to get the cert of conformity and any other details if you like. Currently considfering taking my ZX14 to the UK at the moment dependent on costs....

**Mully** · 12th August 2008, 21:14

Originally Posted by Scruffygit

Re the cleaning, I was told by Pickfords not to bother getting her steam cleaned in the UK because the NZ customs will almost certainly insist on having it done on entry irrespective of how clean it is so you end up paying twice. Instead just give her a good clean and then coat everything in grease/ACF50 for corrosion protection during the journey - the steam cleaning here will remove it.
.

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??

Originally Posted by McJim

Then you won't have to pay duty on the bike coz you are not importing it for sale (however you must not sell it in the next 2 years).

If your answers to the above questions differ from those posted here then you may have to pay duty.

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)

**McJim** · 12th August 2008, 21:25

Originally Posted by Mully

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)

Meh, Tax is tax whatever hat it's wearing.....and I want mine back.