G'day Mates,
I just want to ad my two cents into the discussion about importing new 2011 Harleys from the USA and the conversion process. Let me start by saying this is not intended as a sales pitch. My intent is to clarify the process of importing new 2011 Harley Davidson motorcycles from the USA into Australia. I apologise if this offends anyone.
I own a sales, service and rental company in the USA with offices in Portland Oregon and the San Francisco Bay Area. I have been doing extensive research on exporting Harley motorcycles into Australia. Here are the facts as I have come to know them…
There is no minimum age requirement of the motorcycle. In other words 2011 models can be imported if the ADR conversion company has been authorized by the government to import 2011 models. As I understand it, each time there is a substantial change in any given model the ADR conversion company must test the new bike then apply to the government for approval to import that bike.
In 2010, all Touring models underwent substantial changes to the frame and suspension system requiring the ADR conversion companies to need to apply for approval to import them. Most companies have now been approved to import 2010 and 2011 touring models as well as other models. Some are still waiting for approval.
There ADR conversion companies in several states. There are two near Brisbane, one near Sydney and one near Adelaide. Unfortunately there are none west of Adelaide. People from Western Australia or the Northern territory wanting to import bikes form the USA with a build date after January 1, 1989 will have to get the bike imported into one of the other states then trucked to their home or fly to the ADR conversion company and ride it home.
In order to import a new 2011 motorcycle the motorcycle must be considered used and previously titled to a US resident first. When bikes are new they come from the factory with what is called a Manufacture Certificate of Origin (MCO). This document is like a birth certificate. The original buyer will get the MCO from the selling dealer and submit it to their local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to register the motorcycle. The DMV will then send the owner a title to the bike. Usually this process takes between 3 and 6 weeks depending on which state the bike is being registered in. The Australian government will not accept a motorcycle with an MCO, it must have a US title.
Most states in America charge sales tax. The only way to buy a 2011 motorcycle and legally avoid this tax it to provide the selling dealer with a bill of lading which shows that the bike was picked up by an authorized freight company and shipped to another state for registration.
Most states have a reciprocating sales tax agreement. This means that, for example, if you live in Nevada and purchase a bike in Arizona the Arizona dealer will charge you sales tax and send the sales tax to Nevada even if you have a freight company pick up the bike and provide a bill of lading because Arizona and Nevada have a reciprocating tax agreement.
I know this is getting confusing but bear with me. The only way to truly avoid this reciprocating sales tax agreement is to have the ability to register the bike in a state that does not have sales tax and therefore has no reciprocating agreement with any other state. As far as I know there are three states in America that do not charge sales tax, Oregon, Montana and New Hampshire.
There is another caveat regarding buying a new motorcycle, Harley Davidson Motor Company requires that each dealer must have the customer in their store to sign all paperwork. These days, 99% of dealers are following the rules set by Harley Davidson Motor Company in fear of losing their franchise. The word on the street is that Harley Davidson Motor Company is trying to reduce the amount of dealers and many dealers are crossing their T’s and dotting their I’s to make sure they do not lose their multi-million dollar franchise.
We offer both new and used bike sales. We sell new bikes at straight MSRP; we do not charge freight, dealer prep or sales tax. We charge a commission / processing fee of $2000 for our services. Other fees in the process are $500 for title conversion, $700 to $800 for delivery to the export agent in Los Angeles, $1,200 for sea freight and customs clearance, $2500 ADR compliance and GST. GST is calculated on the cost of the motorcycle combined with the two freight charges then multiplied by 10%. The GST fees are calculated on the day the bike arrives in Australia and they are based on that day's conversion rate. Optional Sea Freight insurance can be purchased at a cost of 2% of the total value of the bike.
When we sell new bikes to Australian customers we will find the bike a customer wants and fly to the dealer’s showroom and sign the paperwork in their presence. We then have a freight company pick up the bike and provide the selling dealer a bill of lading. The bike will go directly to the export agent in Los Angeles.
As soon as we buy the bike we send the application for title to the DMV and 3 to 6 week title process begins. It usually takes 2 to 3 weeks for the bike to arrive in Los Angeles depending on where we buy it. The bike is usually at the export agent’s office ahead of the title. As soon as the title arrives we overnight it to the export agent and the bike gets on the next ship. The whole process from the day the bike is purchased till it arrives in Australia takes between 4 to 8 weeks.
This posting is already long winded, I will address importing used bikes in another posting. I hope this clarifies the importing process of new 2011 bikes. Feel free to IM me or send an email to Michael@USMotorcycleSales.com or phone me on my Australian phone number at +61 02 8003 3303. Cheers!
Yep that all makes sense to me.
Pretty much the way it can work and is certainly another option.
I have seen the time scales blow out however, as shipping companies and exports all have different pressures.
If you are not prepared to wait, or have something impact the time frames, as the chain of events are executed by lots of people along the way then do not consider this option. You'll only get frustrated and end up unhappy.
0439 561 131 - Gary
I'm keen as on imports, I married one....................she's from Portugal!!
I paid for my Softail in December 2010, recieved May 2011, long story......, imported it through a mate setting up an import business, he bought in Dodge Ram,he lives in Florida & QLD, i bought in Softail & work equipment, he organized all shipping, transport, paper work, compliancing. Would i do it again ? Yes! $ better off in my pocket than Stealership, its a long wait! Would'nt take it on myself! We are soooooooo ripped off, here in Oz its just stupid!
Not going into details, but a work item here costs $5800 AUS- shipped to my door $2850 AUS.
Some Aus businesses have had it to good for toooo long! I want to support local business, but why should i pay 3-4x the retail price!!!
Cheers Bloodnut
to many people are starting to import harleys to sell in aus cheap that sux as it drives the price of the bikes we own down
I imported a harley through Geezers and all went well. They told me the exact cost up front and thats all I had to pay. Had to wait 3 and half months and this was mainly due the government departments on paper work. Very happy and saved lots of money.
Just heard a rumor that the government is reviewing import laws to stop all private imports OR impose higher import duties.
From what I was told this is being looked at to protect local retailers and will include all overseas purchases.
And the rich get richer
I imported my harley beacuse I wanted a fairly new one but did not want to pay close to $30,000 dollars. I searched a while and got one with 300 miles on the clock from a dealer in the US and saved lots of money. But I still have bought some parts and still will from my local Harley dealer or on ebay. So every body is still making some money we all have to make a living. If I did not import I may have bought a Triumph instead so HD would have lost a customer because I did not want to pay that amount for the bike I wanted in Aust. The worry about bringing the prizes down on second hand bikes, not much you can do about that. Its like buying a new car no matter what it is in a few years its lost heaps in value. At my Local HD dealer a few months back there was a 09 fatboy with 20,000km and they wanted $28,000 bucks for it why not save a bid more cash and get a new one and full warranty.. On ebay in the States there was one that sold with very low miles and the exact bike for $12,600 and you could road ready in Aust. for under $20,000.00.
Simple as that, and well put.
" I'm Proud to support a Aussie HD Dealer & Own a Aussie Delivery HD"
I'm Proud to ride with my mates who all have Harleys, where they purchase their bikes is their fucking business. Couldn't give a fuck about the local dealer unless I wanted something from them.
there are some Harley dealers that wont have anything to do with the Imports e.g they wont sell them , wont service them , wont supply parts for them
Its just talk bud, they will all take the work sooner or later
Well I don't know about you but I wouldn't buy a bike from the US unless I was there to see it first.
Me too brother, did you notice the prices....wow
I've just received an e-mail advising my bike has arrived at the Port of Brisbane, WOOT!! Next step is to pay the GST...
