Hi all.

I am thinking of importing a heritage soft tail from the USA.  Due to the fallen economy over there I can purchase one at a really good price.  But.............what are the pit falls? has anyone got any comments.  I would be glad to hear them.

Tulls 

I was also thinking of importing one from the states but i am also not sure of the costs. I believe the cost to get one out costs about $600 but its the costs getting them through customs and import duties. I'm looking at a Softail Custom in Florida but i think the cost to get it to a shipping port would be fairly expensive. So it might just be a dream.

Maddog

has to be built before 1988.other wise no chance in hell.

look at the federal government site;

Vehicle Imports Enquiries
Ph: 1800 815 272

I looked at doing the same thing a few years ago and that was the info i got...could have changed..good luck.

Then i think you have customs duty, the the hassle of rego...have heard of people having bikes knocked back for crappy reasons, costs them stacks to get it up to standards...

keep us updated, if changed then i will look at a springer for damn sure

 

I found this site ages ago in my travels on the web, they have a high turnover of used harleys and are quite experienced in shipping overseas. 

You'd still have to pay all the local fees which would probably be the killer but if interested check them out:

http://www.bikerbill.com/index.html

 

 

HI guys my Harley has been re advertised on eBay so i am still waiting for some one to come up with some concrete info about importing a Harley from the States.I.E Shipping,Customs E.T.C. That would be good.Thanks
Maddog

Well guys and girls.

Thank you to all who responded to my original post about importing.  May I first say it was nice to see people take the time to respond.  I have looked very closly at this and found it not worth the trouble.

First, ther is the import approval from Dotars (application $50.00). there is no problem buying a good bike from the US or Japan (so long as you can find someone to check the bike for you).  There is no problem shipping it to Australia (shipping is between $700 to $1,000).  Thats the easy part.  Now the fun starts.  There is no import duty on a motor bike only GST of 10%.

Once it is cleared with customs, it will need a RAW examination in order to be ADR compliant.  This has to be done by a Harley Dealer in Australia and can cost about $600 to $1,000 as USA do not comply with our ADR's.  Exhaust, lights speedo etc.  even the fuel, brake and oil lines have to be changed.

Then there is the RTA inspection (ID inspection $60.00) Road worthy $300).  Plus rego.

When the vehicle is presented to RTA it must be presented as standard from the factory so. no aftermarket pipes etc.  As I said it's not worth the trouble.

I realy looked at this as I was about to buy a nice 2003 heritage soft tail from Florida for $13,000 US.  By the time I have finished all the rushing about it was going to cost me $20,000 AUD.

I gave up and just purchased a nice heritage from Queensland for $21,000 with no fuss, no scratches and verl low kilometres.

I hope that helps you out there.

Tulls  

 

 

Thanks Tulls for your information on importing a harley from the states.I am still keen as the bike i'm looking at is worth $13785 US dollars which is about $17125 AUS.This is for a 2008 Custom Softail. The same thing here with 2300ks is worth $28000-$29000 so it would only put may be $3 or $4000 on it, from what you say. I have got  about 19 days before it comes of eBay .So i have got time to do some more home work. Thanks again Tulls.

                                              Maddog

 

                                             

Allways try to be careful thanks for your concern Kiwi Dave.Sombody cares.I've got a niece in the States and  she is going to get more info from that end ,it may never happen but would be good to think it could so we'll just wait and see.Ill keep yopu all informed.

                                               Cheers Maddog.

I got some info on bringing a bike in from the States From an importer,he said you can't bring anything in after 1988.If you lived in the States for 12 months you can bring one back with you thats the only way.You also have to have to have the bike for 12 months.Anything before 1988 he can bring in for $900 dollars.Hope this helps someone ok Cheers
Maddog

I also looked into this a about a years or so ago. The info Tulls has is spot on. You are right to Maddog, if you have lived in the states for a year and owned the bike for a year you can bring it in as personal effects. Thats great if you are going on a long holiday. Here is a thought though, you might be able to buy one and put it in your niece's name, If she is planning to come home after another 12 months or so she could have it sent back with the rest of her belongings. there is nothing that I know of that says she can't sell it once she gets back. Would only cost you the price of the bike and shipping and a little for her troubles.

Something to think about if you can wait that long.

A very interesting story from Ozroder sounds like i was right about bringing a late model bike from over seas. To many people out there ready to get your money for nothing.Anyway Ozroder thanks for some more real concrete information that confirms what i was told thanks mate. Well all i can say, it all goes alright for you.I went cold on the idea when i heard about all the bull shit you had to go through.Ok Hope all goes well for you .
Cheerz Maddog

I looked into importing a 2008 model softail only aqbout 4-5 months ago.  There are some guys in Qld who will help you out and make sure the bike will comply to the necessary regulations of exhaust, lights etc etc.  The problem is it will cost you over $2K for them to do this and take up to 6 weeks.  The bike  I had in mind was $15k USD - by the time it landed on my doorstep, it was closer to $23K AUD and a heap of headaches later.  There were hidden charges everywhere.

Thats not the info I have guys.

I have a relo who is in the middle of importing one now - an 08 model.

Read here... http://www.geezers.com.au/import-late-model-harley.php

 

An old thread re-hashed I see - it appears things have changed with the whole USA import thing since the original post date (with regard to importing pre '88 models only). A mate brought in a 2008 Anniversary Dyna (105 years - copper coloured tank) from the US only two months ago. Low K's and mint condition. Pretty sure he did the deal with Barnetts Harley in Texas(?).

Overall he reckons it was cheaper than buying similar here in OZ.

I forget the exact figure, but he was seriously pissed off with the cost of gaining Aussie compliance given the mods - could've been performed by a trained monkey he reckons. Get this, to the external glass of the speedo was applied the kilometre conversion sticker! A f*ckin' sticker! He's now chasing a proper speedo to replace the US mph unit. After a bit of banter he was allowed to keep the US tyres but overall f*ck all was altered - and at great cost for a tick in the box!

But, in the last few weeks we've both noticed a big increase in the amount of imported US bikes available for sale from Dealers in Brissie and the Gold Coast; and pretty damn cheap too. Alongside several imported Harleys in a 'Team Moto' I saw two weird-arse looking Kawasakis (Bonneville copies) with the little tell-tale purple import sticker on the down tubes. So it's not only individual Aussies who're onto the cheap import deal, but the Dealers too; and by the container load it seems.

One scary story I heard was that the US are unloading their patched up 'repairable wrecks' onto Aussie shores... My Dyna mate says "bullshit" as they must be registered as 'wrecks' but I dunno....... food for thought and buyer beware!

EDIT: I'm gonna post this bit as a separate topic coz I reckon we should all be aware of the import situation - softail or otherwise.

 

Check out these Guys.............www.geezers.com.au

 

You can find people who are selling the bikes with great accessories and famous related to Bike Quality check out this link to get access.

Finding People in Australia

Hi All

I have just bought 2 bikes from us

 a 1988 heritage softail classic and a 2001heritage softail classic

 

costa re as follows

 

$500 sea freight

$700 clearance and port fees etc

$10% gst

compliance $2500 no cost older than 89 model (build date must be before 01/01/89

one of the bikes i freighted right across the US which cost an extra $795 north carolina to los angeles

I can put you intouch with the guy that freights and complies they will also arrange payment and title bill of sale exchanges on your behalf for a small fee

you can call on 49479721 if you want to know more

i bought one from a dealer and one privateley

 

Regards

 

Bigfella

I went with foytt shipping who also are a registered automotive workshop at this end talk to Andy he is both very knowledable and very helpful

they are located at taree nsw

i used Barry at moverquest for the internal moving around the states and found him to be easy to deal with and reliable with heaps of satisfied customer reviews on the net

regards

 

Richard