How to ship your bike overseas

Nothing beats riding your bike on the open road. And some of the world’s most iconic routes can be found in the US and Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

But when it comes to shipping a motorbike from the UK, what do you need to know? Here is the guide to getting it done without a scratch!

Why ship a motorbike from the UK?

Perhaps you’re moving to another country permanently, or just want to plan an unforgettable road trip. Or maybe you’re based abroad and just bought a new, second-hand or vintage bike in the UK from a top British manufacturer like Triumph, or even through eBay or a vintage dealer. There are plenty of reasons to want to ship your bike abroad and it’s vital you know it’s going to be in safe hands on the high seas.

The safest way to ship a motorbike from the UK

You need to start by working with a trusted operator. UK-based Autoshippers has been safely transporting bikes around the world for years.

Based near Bristol shipping port, they offer a daily motorbike collection from anywhere in the UK and can ship directly to more than 144 countries. And they can even organise for your bike to be transported to either their packing facility or the port of departure.

So what happens when you hand over your bike? Well, experts will carefully package it up to ensure it arrives at its destination scratch-free and in mint condition, and they’ll prepare all your documents and paperwork.

Make sure the company you choose is a member of the British International Freight Association (BIFA), like Autoshippers, so you can rest assured that your most prized two-wheeled possession is in safe hands. Then once you hand over your bike, it will be securely packaged up for freight shipping in a crate designed to fit your bike’s individual measurements.

How is your bike protected?

There is a whole process to packaging up your bike. First it is positioned on a heavy-duty base, and the wheels and stand are secured with wooden chocks.

Strap banding is then fed through the wheels and over the frame to secure the bike in place, while areas of contact are protected with foam padding, ensuring paintwork is kept safe from any scratches.

The bike is then braced using timber supports within the crate, with more protective foam padding. The top of the crate is secured before the entire crate is strapped and given a uniquely numbered seal, providing a tamper-proof shipping unit.

You can see exactly how it’s done in a recent video by Autoshippers here.

How much does it cost?

Shipping costs are calculated based on various factors, namely size, weight and destination. Shipping an average-sized motorbike (e.g. HONDA CBR 600) to New York, USA, will cost £294, whereas shipping the same bike to Wellington, New Zealand, will cost £411.

These prices do not include the costs to make the individually built timber crate to protect your bike. For this bespoke service, add £320.00 for packing and crating and around £40.00 for export paperwork. Crates for larger bikes are £420.00, and shipping costs increase according to the size of your bike.

Whether you’re shipping a motorbike to the USA, Canada, Australia New Zealand or anywhere else, it’s always worth paying for quality service to protect your motorbike from rough crossings, seawater, salty air, or rough handling. After all, you want it to arrive in great condition. Then you can take it on the open road!