HI - I am a Harley Davidson Trike Owner , It is a 1997 Ultra Classic with a Lehman Trike conversion all fitted at manufacture.

I am moving to Australia from the U.K. in Feb 2010 and I need advice on how to import the bike.

My stuff is being shipped and I have room in my container to take my beloved Trike.

NOW THE ADVICE-

HOW DO I GET APPROVAL THAT THE VEHICLE WILL MEET THE REQUIREMENTS FOR IMPORT?

HOW DO I GET AN AUSTRALIAN VALUATION WHICH WILL LIMIT MY LIABILITY FOR TAX? ( IE FROM A TRUSTED BODY THAT CUSTOMS WILL ACCEPT)

DO I HAVE TO PAY DUTY AND GST ?( IS THERE A WAY OF MINIMISING THIS )

WHAT CHANGES WILL I HAVE TO MAKE TO THE BIKE ( I.E KM/PER HR CLOCK)

WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR HELP

CHEERS

RI

there are lots of shipping companies who do this on a daily basis, trying to do this yourself can be frustrating and costly, what you save on not using a shipping agent can be quickly lost on one wrong form lodged, agents know whats what and who to talk to, use one experienced in motorcycle /  car import. Taking on the Australian customs and tax man will only cause grief and frustration. You may need to assess if your bike is worth the hassle, with selling in Europe and buying in Oz.

From memory if you have owned and can prove ownership (rego slips) of the vehicle overseas for personal use for more than 12 months it is import tax free, you still need to get the import licence though, and you will need to find an approved engineer to certifiy it as ADR compliant before it can be AUS registered.

There are a couple of companies here set up to do all of the above ... I would reccomend contacting one and getting advice, you may be able to make arrangements with them where they handle all the crap for you and you can still ship it in your container.

I think the NEW 2010 factory genuine trikes had problems with ADR and Harley Aus couldn't get them in, not sure if it was resolved or not, but as Oz mentioned there are plenty on the roads here so you should be ok if you can get the right geezer to ADR complance it.

Good luck with it all

You could try contacting Mick Green of "MD Green trikes" Geelong, which is about an hour south of Melbourne he is a local trike manufacturer and would be the man to ask about rego and ADR, his address is      6/, 55 Nobility St, Moolap, VIC, 3221

• Phone:phone (03) 5248 6685