Shipping a Laverda from Europe to Australia

Every Australian State has different rules that come into effect AFTER the bike passes through Customs, which is a Federal trauma zone. If you declare your intention to sell it before your return, Customs has a dictionary full of terms to blind and discourage you. At a minimum you'll pay tax. If you declare your intention to return the bike when you leave, it will be easier.
Then, how do dispose of it before returning home? There are a zillion tricky ways including having to abandon it in the street, in front of an unknown friend's garage, due to unrepairable breakdown. Choose your own reason. You will need to sign a statutory declaration that the bike cannot be reshipped for whatever reason you choose. You may need to pay import tax at that point but the value for tax purposes will probably be more favourable since there is no bike to assess, or one that is "only suitable for parts."
You would certainly find a buyer here (if only for parts). However, in some States a new owner can register the bike on club plates, simply by signing a statutory declaration that he is the legitimate owner having acquired the bike in good faith.
Yes there are risks but the worse case is less risky than orthodox import procedure.
 
motoddrob said:
The good old days of easy international motorcycle travel are long gone.
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October 1979, left Motodd Rob's house in Melbourne Vic, rode the fully loaded Laverda including 2 spare tires bungeed onto the panniers to Tullamarine Airport. I checked the bike in at the freight terminal where a bloke gave me a hose and petrol can, I siphoned the petrol out of the tank, disconnected the battery, and taped up the cables. Then the bloke helped me push it and strap it down to an airliner pallet, put a lid on it and that was it. I walked over to the passenger terminal with my tank bag and helmet and flew Air New Zealand to Auckland.

I collected the Laverda the next morning at the airport in Auckland. No customs, no fees, no inspections, or insurance requirements, just vehicle rego, the freight terminal even gave me a gallon can of petrol, I was on my way in no time. The airline price for my ticket was $213 AUS and $193 for my Laverda and all my gear.
All the bullshit regulations you have to go through these days are in place to extract money from you and to justify government officials'
jobs.
ps. Asbestos, one for the blokes in WA whatever happened to Witenoom?
 
Is still just sitting there, with its world's deadliest blue asbestos mine. It's been a while since I have seen any TV stuff on it, they used to show mine tailings blowing through the local school playground years ago.
 
Diablo Loco said:
How long ago did you import Rob? I did 2 in 2010. The asbestos issue has only come to light in recent years. The jackboots are now on:


EDIT: Note it applies to any vehicle arriving in Australia, including bikes Aussies may have taken overseas for trips.
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Brought them in in 2016 and 2019 - no mention of asbestos either time. Only issue raised was with the brake pipes which had the rubber cracked in a couple places.
 
Sisu said:
I am planning a long holiday in Australia. Hope to find a way to ship my Laverda to AU in order to be mobile during my visit. Intend to sell it up on my departure. Anyone who can advise a good way to ship from Europe to AU? By ship will, I guess, be the posibility affordable? Any hint or exact knowlage will be appreciated.
Drive carefully
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G'day Sisu its an easy process sending bikes in and out of Aus to Europe, but since Covid shipping costs have increased in some cases by 80%.
So a one way trip will cost you in the order of $4000 AUD a return trip can be cheaper if you can hook up with an organised bulk shipping (Bikes Abroad)
As far as the Asbestos issue goes all you need is to sign a declaration that most Aussie shippers provide (FYI no Laverda's made in the 1980s) had any asbestos used in the production of the motorcycle. I have been over this on the past 5 imports including my own bike from the UK on a one way trip.
I have heaps of information on the process if you have any questions send me a PM.
Regards
Maurice
 
Andy said:
Same here, with train carriages built in PRC, brake linings and insulation, incredibly. Accompanied by an asbestos-free certificate…
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We had the opening of a brand new multi-billion dollar childrens hospital delayed because the "declared asbesotos free" panelling and ceiling material contained asbestos, and to top it off the pipes were delivering lead at a toxic level in the water. All from the PRC of course.
 
motoddrob said:
Often see o/s registered bikes and the odd 4wd parked in my local touristy town. Not sure you need a carnet for Australia.
Wasn't there some German guy turn up with with a old 750 when Laverda corse came out for the Not the Barry meeting several years ago?. Selling it here could be a problem but as long as the buyer pays import taxes dont see it being a major issue.
The good old days of easy international motorcycle travel are long gone.
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Wilfried took his old 750 back home. Brett helped him jump many of the legal hoops, insurance was a major issue iIrc.

The bike was shipped together with the other european exotica out of Milan, Wilfried organised return shipping himself.

piet
 
ALL ON THIS TREAD!
Tanks to all of you, who offered your advices and expierence on how to import my Laverda to Australia. I took notice and I took contact to some of you. At this moment I feel I am in very good hands with local help. I sincearly hope, that in the end my dream will come throug. Tomorrow I am going to ''hopefully'' purchase a 1000 RGS for the purpose. The old 1000 3C will stay in Denmark.
All the best - take care!
 
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