Shipping a bike to Oz

[Bike_Me]

Hi all,

Would anyone have any words of wisdom on shipping a bike overseas, more specifically, Sydney, Australia?

I'll be moving back home in September and would like to bring my bike with me. I've explored a few options from checking-in my bike on the flight home, to shipping with a removalist or courier. My main concern is packing and ensuring that no/minimal damage is caused during transit without spending an arm and a leg, along with reducing as much weight as possible.

I've been in contact with a few shipping companies who offer bike boxes along with 'over-cases' for extra protection. Is the extra protection needed or will a few rolls of bubble wrap along with a bike box be efficient? Would it also be a worthwhile investing a bike bag?

I have also been told that the bike will need to be absolutely pristine to keep the mob in customs happy, is this true?

Any help/suggestions/comments would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks in advance,
Bike_me

 

[I like Skol]

Have you explored the 'other' option?

Sell your bike before you go, save ££££'s on the shipping as well as the hassle and risk, buy the same or equivalent bike when you get there.

I don't know how bike prices in Oz compare to the UK market but with an exchange rate of around 1.8 aus$ to the pound it might be possible to order and pay for a bike with a UK credit card before you go and collect it when you arrive? Just a bit of random thinking, don't know if this would actually work or be possible.

 

[Bike_Me]

haha I have, but my bike and I have formed a relationship that I do not wish to terminate..

 

[the snail]

Hi all,

I have also been told that the bike will need to be absolutely pristine to keep the mob in customs happy, is this true?

Yes, they're very hot on 'bio security' to avoid bringing alien plants/animals into the country, so no mud/dirt on the bike.

 

[Bike_Me]

Cheers for the confirmation Snail!

 

[biggs682]

i have shipped a couple of frames to Aus amongst other places without any drama .

i always cover all tubes in heating pipe foam and encase in a laminate floor underlay felt envelope before final packing and boxing as far as i am aware all have survived the trips unscathed , cant think for the life which courier i used

 

[Crankarm]

Why can't you ride your bike to Sydney? Ok it would take longer but would be one hell of a ride . Or if you must take it with you, take it when you fly?

 

[jefmcg]

Just FYI, emirates have a 30kg luggage allowance that you can make up anyway you care to. I bring a folding bike most times when I travel, but you can bring a full size. They code share with qantas - who I see are now 30kg too (used to be 23 until recently)

And +1 on bio security, both for customs and because of the actual dangerous of pathogens in the soil causing environmental or economic harm.

 

[Bike_Me]

Thanks for the help Biggs, Crankarm and jefmcg.

i have shipped a couple of frames to Aus amongst other places without any drama .

i always cover all tubes in heating pipe foam and encase in a laminate floor underlay felt envelope before final packing and boxing as far as i am aware all have survived the trips unscathed , cant think for the life which courier i used

Didn't think about heating pipe foam, great idea!

Why can't you ride your bike to Sydney? Ok it would take longer but would be one hell of a ride . Or if you must take it with you, take it when you fly?

haha that would be a great idea Crankarm, but I'll be travelling with my pregnant wife and I don't believe she'd share the same view as me..

Just FYI, emirates have a 30kg luggage allowance that you can make up anyway you care to. I bring a folding bike most times when I travel, but you can bring a full size. They code share with qantas - who I see are now 30kg too (used to be 23 until recently)

And +1 on bio security, both for customs and because of the actual dangerous of pathogens in the soil causing environmental or economic harm.

It was a toss between flying Emirates or Singapore. We've always flown with Singapore on the A380 and thus far have no complaints - the only downfall of course this time around is the limit of 23kg. I looked into Emirates, and while the allowance of 30kg is very appealing, there are so many bad reviews in terms of service, and also around £300 more.