🏍️ Shipping a Motorcycle to New Zealand

Welcome to your complete guide for shipping a motorcycle from Australia to New Zealand.

This page will walk you through everything you need to know, including:

• How motorcycle shipping works
• Entry certification and compliance requirements
• Eligibility for NZ Import GST exemption
• Required documents (with downloadable links)
• Pre-shipment cleaning
• What to expect on arrival
• Step-by-step instructions for booking

Whether you're planning your move or ready to book, this guide will make the process clear and stress-free.

🔄 Shipping & Arrival Process

Motorcycles are transported via Roll-On, Roll-Off (RORO) shipping. They are:

• Ridden onto the vessel and strapped securely to the deck
• Ridden off upon arrival in New Zealand
• Staged for an MPI (quarantine) inspection
• Then delivered to a compliance facility for entry certification

🪛 Crate Shipping Option If your motorcycle is not running or if you prefer not to use RORO, we can arrange to have a crate built and ship the motorcycle in a container. This method is ideal for added protection or non-operational bikes. Let us know and we can quote accordingly.

🛍️ Costs & What’s Included

Your quote includes:

• Pickup within 30km of the port in Australia (excluding Port Kembla)
• Delivery within 20km of the port in New Zealand (usually to a testing station)
• Shipping between Australia and NZ
• Port fees, customs, and quarantine clearance (pending inspection results)

You’ll need to pay separately for:

• Compliance and WOF (costs depend on the size of the motorhome)
• Registration with NZTA (based on motorhome specs)

💰 How to Estimate Your Total Costs

Here’s a breakdown of the potential costs to help you budget accurately:

🧮 Landed Value

Landed Value = Purchase Price + Freight + Insurance

Note: The purchase price must be converted to NZD using the New Zealand Customs-appointed exchange rate at the time of import.

Additional Charges to Consider:

• Credit Card Surcharges: Some or all transactions may incur a surcharge when paying by credit card.
• Disbursement Fees (New Zealand): A 4% disbursement fee may apply on GST and/or duty payments when the importer does not hold a New Zealand Customs account.

✅ Compliance Requirements

Every motorcycle must pass entry certification before it can be registered in New Zealand. This includes both physical and documentation checks at an NZTA-approved compliance centre.

🛠 Key Areas of Inspection

• Structural integrity (check for rust, damage, or repairs)
• Exhaust system (must meet sound and emission standards)
• Speedometer accuracy
• Steering and suspension
• Brake condition and performance
• Tyres, wheels, lights, and indicators
• Rust and underbody inspection
• Aftermarket modifications may trigger LVV certification or require removal

⚠️ Rust, welded repairs, or prior structural damage may require certification by a repair certifier (separate from the compliance facility).

📛 ADR Plate Requirement

Motorcycles must display a valid ADR (Australian Design Rules) compliance plate showing:

• VIN
• Make/model
• Month/year of manufacture
• ADR approval number

📌 Pink ADR plates may require additional compliance checks.

❌ Motorcycles Without ABS

Motorcycles without ABS (Anti-lock Braking Systems) may only be registered with an Immigrant’s Exemption, unless over 20 years old.

📝 Immigrant’s Exemption

If your motorcycle doesn’t meet modern compliance standards (e.g. ABS or emissions), you may be eligible for an Immigrant’s Exemption, provided you:

• Have lived outside NZ for 21+ months
• Owned and used the motorcycle for 12+ months
• Are moving to NZ permanently
• Import only one vehicle under this exemption
• Are bringing it for personal use (not resale)
• Apply within 18 months of arrival
• Are in NZ when the motorcycle arrives

📋 This form must be signed in front of a Justice of the Peace or compliance inspector. 💰 Additional fee: AUD 210 (payable directly to the NZTA / compliance facility)

💰 NZ Import GST

✅ GST Exempt (If You Qualify)

To qualify for GST exemption:

• You’ve lived outside of NZ for at least 21 months
• You’ve owned and used the motorcycle for 12+ months
• It’s your personal vehicle (not for business or resale)
• You’re the first importer of the motorcycle
• No finance owing
• You’ll arrive in NZ around the same time as the bike

🛂 Important:

While these concessions are available under NZ Customs Tariff Ref 80, final approval is at the discretion of NZ Customs.

Exemptions will only be granted if the importer meets all conditions outlined in the official document.

📄 Refer to:

❌ GST Payable (If You Don’t Qualify)

If you don’t meet all criteria:

• You’ll pay 15% GST on the landed value (cost + shipping + insurance)
• If owned for 3+ months, depreciation may apply

📄 Required Documents

For GST Exempt Clients

• ✅ Proof of purchase (invoice or bill of sale)
• ✅ Proof of payment (bank transfer receipt, payout letter, or PPSR report)
• ✅ Vehicle registration certificate (original or stamped digital copy)
• ✅ Passport photo (signed)
• ✅ Document proving 12+ months ownership (old rego or insurance doc)
• ✅ Completed NZ Customs Number Form (NZCS 224A)
• ✅ Completed NZ Vehicle Import Form (NZCS 80C)
• ✅ Flight ticket or NZ arrival date

For GST Payable Clients

• ✅ Proof of purchase (invoice or bill of sale)
• ✅ Registration certificate
• ✅ Signed passport photo or driver’s licence
• ✅ NZ Customs Number Form (NZCS 224A)

🧼 Pre-Shipment Cleaning – Motorcycles

All motorcycles must be thoroughly cleaned before shipping to New Zealand to meet MPI (Ministry for Primary Industries) biosecurity standards. Dirt, seeds, plant matter, or organic residue can result in delays, cleaning fees, or even rejection at inspection.

Follow this checklist carefully to avoid any issues:

✅ Exterior Cleaning

• Wash the entire bike including:
• Wheels, tyres, wheel arches, spokes, and brake components
• Frame, swingarm, fork legs, and underbody
• Engine casing, fuel tank, guards, and fairings
• Handlebars, mirrors, foot pegs, exhaust system, and radiator area
• Use a degreaser for oily areas and a high-pressure washer to remove embedded dirt

✅ Underbody & Hard-to-Reach Areas

• Pay extra attention to:
• Chain and sprockets
• Underside of fenders
• Kickstand and centre stand
• Underside of the engine and sump
• Make sure no mud, bugs, oil residue, or vegetation remains

✅ Luggage & Accessories

• Remove and clean:
• Saddlebags, panniers, tool rolls, or external storage attachments
• Empty compartments and check for rubbish, insects, or plant debris
• Clean inside any removable luggage with a cloth and disinfectant spray

🔍 Commonly Missed Spots

• Around the radiator and exhaust header
• Inside foot peg brackets and brake pedal pivot
• Fork seals and around the triple clamp
• Rear swingarm pivot and shock absorber base
• Chain guard and mudflap area

🧾 If your motorcycle fails inspection, it will be ordered for treatment in NZ:

• Basic vacuuming and washing: starts at ~$750 NZD
• More intensive treatment or fumigation: can exceed $1000 NZD
• All charges are payable before the motorcycle can be released

👉 We recommend doing your best to clean thoroughly, but also be prepared for the possibility of additional treatment costs upon arrival.

🛡️ Transit Insurance (Optional but Recommended)

Although modern shipping is generally low risk, damage or theft during transit can occasionally occur. Willship works with trusted carriers, but because we do not control every stage of the process (e.g. port loading staff, quarantine facilities), we cannot accept liability for damage or loss.

That’s why we strongly recommend transit insurance.

💰 Insurance Details:

• Cost: 1.75% of the insured value (motorcycle + shipping)
• Minimum premium: AUD 455
• Excess: AUD 500

(Only deducted in the event of a claim)

• Insured value:
• Can be based on your purchase price
• Or current market value (e.g. listings for similar motorcycles)

Transit insurance provides peace of mind and covers you in the unlikely event of:

• Physical damage in transit
• Theft or pilferage
• Fire or major port incidents

✅ You can opt in for insurance during the booking process — we’ll help arrange everything for you.

🧾 Booking Form

When ready, complete your guided booking form:

• Motorcycle Booking – GST Exempt
• Motorcycle Booking – GST Payable

These forms walk you through everything step-by-step.

🎯 Summary

• Confirm eligibility for GST exemption
• Ensure ADR plate is present and readable
• Clean motorcycle thoroughly
• Understand compliance and Immigrant Exemption rules (if needed)
• Upload required documents
• Complete the booking form and select a sailing

Have questions? We’re here to help at every stage of your motorcycle’s journey to NZ.