International Motorcycle Shipping
* Update February 20, 2025
Do you want to send your motorcycle overseas? We send bikes to Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Australia, both as a part of your household goods, and just the individual motorcycle.
International Motorcycle Shipping
Each year SDC International Movers sends hundreds of motor vehicles to countries around the world for our clients. Motorcycles and automobiles are the most common vehicles that we send, but we also send some light trucks, small boats and even a few RV’s.
Sending a licensed vehicle is one of the most complicated international moves. The rules and regulations for the import of licensed motor vehicles change from country to country. Even groups like the European Union who have common rules for everything else do not have uniform rules for motor vehicles.
As some countries require a specific permit for import, it is a good idea for you to get started early. All administrative and legal procedures must be completed before your motorcycle can be put on a boat.
What is the Best Method for Shipping a Motorcycle Internationally?
There are several methods for shipping motorcycles overseas, and the best option depends on your needs.
1. Shipping in a Personal Container
For most clients, the most cost-effective and secure way to transport a motorcycle is to include it in a personal shipping container. When combined with your household belongings, the additional shipping costs for your motorcycle are minimal.
To ensure safe transport, motorcycles are typically crated to prevent damage. Shipping containers go through multiple transfers—from truck to ship, then to customs inspection, and back onto a truck—so crating is essential.
⚠️ Important Note: Do not crate your motorcycle yourself.
- We use ISPM 15-certified fumigated wood and provide a certificate of compliance to ensure smooth international shipping.
2. Specialty Vehicle Shipping (Roll-on/Roll-off – RoRo)
If you are not shipping a full container, your motorcycle can be transported via specialty vehicle shipping services. This method is most practical when shipping only a motorcycle to Europe.
3. Air Freight for Faster Delivery
For clients who need their motorcycle to arrive quickly, air freight is an excellent option.
- Although air freight is more expensive, the cost difference is often not substantial compared to shipping a bike by sea as an individual shipment.
- Shipping via sea freight typically takes 6–10 weeks, while air cargo delivery takes about a week.
If shipping via sea cargo, your motorcycle will typically be delivered to a vehicle licensing facility near the port for inspection and registration.
If shipping via air cargo, you will be responsible for completing the registration process at your destination.
International Motorcycle Shipping – What’s the process?
Prior to sending your motorcycle for shipping overseas, the bike’s title and registration need to be cleared. You will need to send these to SDC International Shipping before we pick up your motorcycle for shipping. You will also need to provide us with a copy of your driver’s license. We will return all of these to you by special courier as soon as our lawyers clear the title for you. SDC International Shipping’s logistics team will explain the exact process to you.
Your motorcycle needs to be prepared for shipping. This includes the draining of all fluids, disconnecting the battery, and dismantling some parts of the motorcycle in order to reduce the size of the crate. Usually, this is the front wheel and storage boxes if there are any.
In many places, you need to be physically present in order to release the vehicle. First, your motorcycle will undergo emissions and safety testing, and you might have to have certain adjustments made to your bike. You will need to show that you have obtained local insurance, and you will have get a local license plate for your motorcycle.
Is it Legal to Import Your Motorcycle?
You are probably best off letting SDC International Shipping’s relocation specialist check the legality of importing your motorcycle. Many countries will allow us to import bikes with engines less than 50 cc as a part of your household goods without any special permits necessary.
Most, but not all, European EU members make distinctions between bikes with engines larger and smaller than 125 cc. If you want to import a motorcycle with an engine size large than 125 cc, you will have to be in possession of a valid motorcycle license. Bikes with smaller engines do not require that the owner have a motorcycle license, but these bicycles are still considered licensed vehicles that will need to have their titled cleared before export. This is a distinction unfamiliar to most Americans, as only Tennessee uses 125 cc to distinguish between light and heavy motorcycles.
In states where mopeds are titled, they will need to be cleared before they can be exported.
There are some countries that require prior permission to import a specific vehicle. Sometimes only models that are sold in the destination country are allowed.
There are many countries where they drive on the left hand side of the road. Most of these countries will not allow you to import an automobile. However, many of them will allow you to import a motorcycle. Please note that in these countries your headlight will need to be replaced or adjusted.
Import a Motorcycle – Will You Have to Pay Tax?
Will you have a tax burden when you import your motorcycle? In most countries if you are permitted to legally import your used household goods and personal effects without taxes, you will also be permitted to import used licensed vehicles as a part of your household. Remember that the motorcycle needs to be registered to the person whose name appears as the consignee of the shipment.
There are countries that will allow you to import only one vehicle. In other countries, you are permitted to import one of each type of vehicle. Some countries will allow you to import one licensed vehicle per adult legally moving.
If you qualify for tax free import, the vehicle that you send should be between one half a year and five years old. In most countries, cars older than this cannot be imported unless they are 30 year old recognized antiques.
If your motorcycle is less than six months old, you usually have to pay at least the standard VAT or GST in the destination country. There are many countries that levy additional taxes on licensed vehicles. You will be responsible to pay these as well.
