Exporting a motorcycle from the US to Australia
Bikes dodge the RHD problem that plagues car exports to Australia — but compliance still applies.
A US motorcycle costs about $21,258 all-in to export on the USA → Australia route in 2026 — a $15,000 purchase plus roughly $6,258 in shipping, 5% duty + 10% VAT, compliance and registration.
- Route
- USA → Australia
- Est. all-in cost
- ~$21,258
- Duty & tax
- 5% duty + 10% VAT
- On a purchase of
- $15,000
Around 5% duty and 10% GST apply; motorcycles avoid the costly RHD remanufacture cars face.
Check the model's import-approval pathway before shipping.
How much does it cost to export a US motorcycle?
Every line below is a researched 2026 estimate in USD. We start from the $15,000 purchase price, add marine insurance at about 1.5% and ocean freight, then 5% duty and 10% VAT on the duty-inclusive (CIF) value, and the broker, compliance and registration fees. Change the purchase price and everything else scales only modestly.
| Vehicle (purchase price) | $15,000 |
| Seller-side export documentation | $150 |
| Professional crating | $400 |
| Ocean freight (crated, LCL) | $1,700 |
| Marine insurance (~1.5%) | $225 |
| Australian duty around 5% on motorcycles | $846 |
| 10% GST on customs value plus duty and freight | $1,777 |
| Customs broker & port handling | $410 |
| Inland transport & registration | $750 |
| Estimated all-in landed cost | $21,258 |
On this US motorcycle, destination taxes are the real story: roughly $846 in import duty plus $1,777 in VAT — about $2,623 together, frequently more than the $1,700 of ocean freight and every handling fee combined. All in, budget around $6,258 on top of the $15,000 purchase price (about 42%) before the bike is registered in Australia.
How to export a US motorcycle, step by step
- Agree the purchase and secure the title/export paperwork in USA.
- Have the bike professionally crated and booked onto an LCL ocean sailing (or share a container to cut the per-unit cost).
- Confirm the exact model is eligible under the SEVS register before you commit.
- Clear customs (roughly 5% duty plus 10% GST on the customs value, and Luxury Car Tax above the threshold).
- Complete import approval — motorcycles skip the costly right-hand-drive step cars face.
- Register in your state or territory once compliance is signed off.
Exporting a US motorcycle: rules & compliance
Motorcycles use Australia's vehicle import approval scheme; being two-wheeled simplifies compliance versus cars.
Frequently asked questions
Duty and GST?+
~5% and 10%.
Easier than a car?+
Yes — no RHD conversion needed.
What is the total estimated cost to export a US motorcycle?+
About $21,258 all-in for a $15,000 example — the purchase price plus roughly $6,258 in freight, insurance, duty, VAT/GST, compliance and registration. Your figure shifts with the exact price, route and exchange rate.
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