Ship a motorcycle from the USA to Australia
Ship your motorcycle from the US to Australia with AA Motorcycle Shipping (trusted since 1983). We handle the entire door-to-port process—including pickup, paperwork, and customs—delivering to major Australian cities in 25 to 45 days.
Or call 1-888-347-1391 — available 7 days a week
Which US port serves your Australian destination?
Australia’s port routing is destination-specific — not all US departure ports serve all Australian cities. Los Angeles serves Sydney and Brisbane only. East Coast and Gulf ports serve Melbourne, Perth/Fremantle, and Adelaide. Match your Australian destination to the correct US departure port below.
Los Angeles, CA → East Coast Australia
~25 days transit
West Coast departure
- Sydney, NSW ✓
- Brisbane, QLD ✓
Houston / Miami / Savannah / New York → South & West Australia
~45 days transit
East Coast & Gulf departures
- Melbourne, VIC ✓
- Perth / Fremantle, WA ✓
- Adelaide, SA ✓
All US departure ports for Australia
Los Angeles, CA
West Coast — serves Sydney & Brisbane only. ~25 days.
Houston, TX
Gulf Coast — serves Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide. ~45 days.
Miami, FL
Southeast US — serves Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide. ~45 days.
Savannah, GA
Southeast US — serves Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide. ~45 days.
New York, NY
Northeast US — serves Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide. ~45 days.
Port-to-port and door-to-port shipping to Australia
Two service options available — choose based on whether you want to bring your motorcycle to the departure port yourself or have us pick it up at your door.
Port-to-Port
You drop off your motorcycle at the US departure port yourself and collect it at the Australian arrival port. The most cost-effective option — no domestic pickup fee. Ideal if you live near one of the 5 US departure ports or can arrange local transport to the port.
Door-to-Port
We dispatch an enclosed truck to your US address — home, dealership, or storage unit — and transport your motorcycle to the departure port. Most convenient option. Available from anywhere in the continental United States regardless of proximity to the departure port.
RoRo vs container shipping to Australia
Both methods are available for the Australia route. The Pacific and Indian Ocean crossing is one of the longest in our international network — choose your method based on your motorcycle’s value and your priorities.
RoRo — Roll-On/Roll-Off
Standard — most Australia shipments
Your motorcycle is ridden onto the vessel and secured on the car deck, enclosed within the ship’s hull for the full Pacific or Indian Ocean crossing. Guaranteed departure and arrival dates. Cost-effective and the standard choice for the Australia route. Bike must be in working order to ride onto the vessel.
Container Shipping
Shared or exclusive — premium protection
Shared: Your bike shares a container with other vehicles — cost-effective but departure may be delayed until the container fills. Non-running bikes accepted.
Exclusive: Entire container reserved for your motorcycle. Guaranteed departure. Maximum protection for the long ocean crossing. Best for high-value, vintage, or collector motorcycles.
From your US address to the departure port
If you choose door-to-port service, your motorcycle travels by enclosed truck from your location to the US departure port. Two options for the domestic leg.
Documents required to ship a motorcycle to Australia
Australia has stricter import documentation requirements than European destinations — including a steam cleaning certificate and an Import Approval Letter. Have all of the following ready before booking.
- Title — free and clear of any liens
- Bill of sale (for new purchases)
- Notarized Power of Attorney
- US Citizen EIN Number (for customs ID) — or Foreign Citizen Passport
- Import Approval Letter (required by Australian Border Force)
- Steam cleaning certificate — motorcycle must be professionally steam cleaned before shipping. A certificate is required to comply with Australia’s strict biosecurity regulations
- Fuel level at or below a quarter tank before pickup
⚠️ Steam cleaning is mandatory. Australia’s Department of Agriculture enforces strict biosecurity rules — motorcycles arriving without a valid steam cleaning certificate can be delayed, quarantined, or refused entry. Arrange steam cleaning and obtain the certificate before your pickup date. Call us at 1-888-347-1391 with any documentation questions before booking.
What to expect at Australian customs
Australian Border Force (ABF) handles all vehicle imports. A licensed customs clearance broker assigned by AA Motorcycle Shipping manages the import process at your arrival port — Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth/Fremantle, or Adelaide.
The recipient — or an authorized representative — collects the motorcycle after customs clearance and pays any applicable Australian import duties and GST on-site at the port. Import duty and GST are calculated based on the declared value of the motorcycle. We do not publish specific duty rates as these are subject to change.
Australia’s biosecurity requirements are enforced strictly at the port. Even with a steam cleaning certificate, Australian Border Force may inspect or quarantine the motorcycle if any soil, plant material, or organic matter is detected. A thorough clean before shipping is the best way to avoid delays at the Australian end.
Shipping a motorcycle from the USA to Australia — four steps
Request a quote
Fill out our international quote form with your bike’s details, US pickup zip, and Australian destination city. Your destination determines which US departure port your shipment uses. Or call 1-888-347-1391.
Prepare documentation & pickup
Arrange the steam cleaning and obtain the certificate before pickup day. We collect your motorcycle from your US address or you drop off at the departure port. All export documentation is processed at the port.
Ocean crossing to Australia
Your motorcycle is loaded onto the next available sailing. West Coast departures from Los Angeles reach Sydney or Brisbane in ~25 days. East Coast and Gulf departures reach Melbourne, Perth, or Adelaide in ~45 days.
Collection at your Australian port
Your assigned customs broker handles Australian Border Force clearance. You or your representative collects the motorcycle, pays any applicable duties and GST, and the bike is yours — ready for Australian roads.
Shipping motorcycles from the USA to Australia since 1983
Australia is one of the most documentation-intensive destinations in our international network — the steam cleaning requirement, Import Approval Letter, and biosecurity regulations at the port make it a route where preparation matters more than almost anywhere else. We’ve been handling US-to-Australia motorcycle shipments long enough to know exactly what Australian Border Force expects and what causes delays. The documentation checklist we provide covers it all.
The port routing is unique to Australia — your departure port is determined by your destination city, not just your US location. Los Angeles serves Sydney and Brisbane. East Coast and Gulf ports serve Melbourne, Perth, and Adelaide. We confirm the correct routing at booking so your shipment doesn’t arrive at the wrong port. One company manages the full journey: domestic leg, ocean freight, steam cleaning coordination, and customs broker at the Australian end.
Australia drives on the left — headlight adjustment required
Like the UK, Australia drives on the left side of the road. A US-spec motorcycle with a headlight aimed for right-hand traffic will need the beam adjusted for Australian road legality before riding on public roads. This is a straightforward job for an Australian dealer or mechanic at your arrival city — arrange it after collection at the port and before your first ride.
Every motorcycle type — shipped to Australia
Harleys, Indians, sport bikes, adventure tourers, vintage classics — we ship the full range to all five Australian arrival cities.
- Harley-Davidson (all models)
- Indian motorcycles
- Sport bikes & supersports
- Cruisers & touring bikes
- Adventure & dual-sport bikes
- Vintage & classic motorcycles
- Custom builds
- Electric motorcycles
- Trikes & sidecars
Note: All motorcycles shipped to Australia must be professionally steam cleaned before departure. Electric motorcycles or oversized configurations — call us before booking for specific requirements.
How to pay for your Australia motorcycle shipment
- Zelle
- Venmo
- Bank of America deposit
- Wire transfer
- Cashier’s check
- Regular check
- Credit card
- Debit card
Google reviews — AA Motorcycle Shipping
“My experience with AA Motorcycle Shipping was excellent. My Softail HD is spotless with no blemishes — it was picked up in Wisconsin and dropped off in California in the same condition. The staff and drivers were kind and professional. I would highly recommend them.”
Shipping a motorcycle from the USA to Australia — common questions
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How much does it cost to ship a motorcycle from the USA to Australia?
Cost depends on your US pickup location, motorcycle year/make/model, Australian destination city, and shipping method. Submit your quote request or call 1-888-347-1391 for accurate pricing specific to your shipment.
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How long does it take to ship a motorcycle from the USA to Australia?
West Coast departures from Los Angeles reach Sydney or Brisbane in approximately 25 days. East Coast and Gulf departures — Houston, Miami, Savannah, New York — reach Melbourne, Perth, or Adelaide in approximately 45 days. These are ocean transit times from the departure port and do not include the domestic leg from your pickup location.
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Which Australian city does my motorcycle arrive at?
Your arrival city depends on your Australian destination and US departure port. Los Angeles serves Sydney and Brisbane only. East Coast and Gulf ports (Houston, Miami, Savannah, New York) serve Melbourne, Perth/Fremantle, and Adelaide. Tell us your Australian destination city when you request your quote and we’ll confirm the correct routing.
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Why does my motorcycle need to be steam cleaned before shipping to Australia?
Australia enforces strict biosecurity regulations to protect its agricultural environment. The Department of Agriculture requires all imported motorcycles to be professionally steam cleaned and free of soil, organic matter, and plant material before arrival. A steam cleaning certificate must accompany the shipment. Motorcycles arriving without this certificate can be quarantined, delayed, or refused entry by Australian Border Force.
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What is an Import Approval Letter and do I need one?
Yes — an Import Approval Letter is required by Australian Border Force for motorcycle imports from the USA. It confirms that your specific motorcycle is approved for import into Australia. This is a document you need to obtain before your shipment departs. Call us at 1-888-347-1391 before booking if you have questions about securing your Import Approval Letter.
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What documents do I need to ship a motorcycle to Australia?
Title (free of liens), bill of sale (for new purchases), notarized Power of Attorney, US Citizen EIN or Foreign Citizen Passport (for customs ID), Import Approval Letter, steam cleaning certificate, and fuel at a quarter tank or below. Australia has more documentation requirements than any other destination we serve — have everything ready before booking.
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Will my US-spec motorcycle need modifications for Australian roads?
Australia drives on the left. A US-spec motorcycle with a headlight aimed for right-hand traffic will need the beam adjusted for Australian road legality — a straightforward job for a local dealer or mechanic at your arrival city after port collection.
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How do Australian customs and import duties work?
Australian Border Force handles import clearance at the arrival port. Your assigned customs broker manages the process on your behalf. The recipient pays any applicable import duty and Australian GST on-site at the port after clearance. Duty is calculated on the declared value of the motorcycle — we don’t publish specific rates as these are subject to change.
Ready to ship your motorcycle from the USA to Australia?
Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and Adelaide. West Coast transit ~25 days. East Coast ~45 days. Port-to-port and door-to-port available.
Get an international shipping quote →Or call 1-888-347-1391 — available 7 days a week. Live chat also available.