Aussie Motorbike Reimportation Import Approval

RECOMMEND you complete Tasks 1 & 2 as part of Getting Organised before shipping your motorbike from Australia in the first place. Complete Task 3 (application for reimportation approval) when your motorbike is overseas. Ideally the Approval Notice is issued before we take delivery of your motorbike at our overseas depot for shipping return to Australia.

Carnet de Passages en Douane (CPD) holders - if your CPD will still be valid at time of reimport then it's easier to use that instead of the reimport process outlined here. However, if timings will be close you should still follow this process in case your CPD expires by time of reimport. Also keep in mind that our return shipping timings generally see the CPD expired before reimport. For example, our annual shipment home from Malaysia (packs start of January) is specifically timed for riders who launched from Italy with CPDs valid to mid January (they would have crossed China to Laos vicinity Sep/Oct) … we need those CPDs valid for export from Malaysia but then they expire before reimport to Australia.

Quick timeline summary of regulatory framework:

• pre 1989 : fragmented regulatory framework where Australian Design Rules (ADRs) were applied selectively and inconsistently

• 1989 : Motor Vehicle Standards Act (MVSA) established to provide single, national, legal framework for vehicle safety

• 01 Jul 2021 : Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018 (RVSA) fully replaced the MVSA

• 30 Jun 2023 : End of transitional period for provision of vehicles to market with existing MVSA compliance plates

• post 30 Jun 2023 : All vehicles must be on the RVSA's Register of Approved Vehicles (RAV)  

Please download the following:

• Guide to reimportation import approvals (updated August 2025)

• ROVER guide to create an account and profile (updated February 2025)

YOU HAVE THREE TASKS:

1. Check that your bike has a RAV entry OR is fitted with an MVSA plate
   Ideally you make this check before you ship your motorbike from Australia

   • Check the Register of Approved Vehicles (RAV) - plug in your VIN here:
     https://www.rover.infrastructure.gov.au/RAVPublicSearch/

   • If Approval Number comes up take a screen grab and SAVE
     Also click on Approval Number to download current Approval Notice and SAVE

   • If nothing comes up then you need to find the MVSA plate on your motorbike, take a photo and SAVE
     See pages 6-7 of Guide to reimportation import approvals for a diagram of what this plate looks like
     

2. Create a ROVER account and complete your profile - this can be done anytime for FREE

   • https://www.rover.infrastructure.gov.au/

   • Follow the instructions in downloaded ROVER guide to create an account and profile

   • After creating your account, multi-factor authentication is required
     You will need a phone number that they can send a code to via SMS to authenticate you

   • Sign in to your new ROVER account

   • Complete your profile as per instructions

   • You must provide a minimum of 100 points of identification to be checked by the department 

     Passport (70) + Driver License (40) = 110 points
     
     Wait for your identity documents to be checked by the department before you start an application as the information you enter may be lost. This may take up to one week - will show as VERIFIED when ID check complete

   
   

3. Lodge application for Single Road Vehicle Approval - make this application when you're motorbike is overseas
   Click here for EXAMPLE of Application for Reimportation

   • Click NEW APPLICATION from your ROVER Portal

     • Apply for Single Road Vehicle Approval
       Yes. This vehicle has a RAV entry or is fitted with an MVSA plate.
       No. This vehicle is being reimported and has not substantially changed while outside Australia.

     • Before you begin 
       Read, Understand and tick box

     • Applicant details as per your profile

     • Vehicle use
       Moped or motorcycle (two or three wheeled vehicle)
       Tick 'I am ready to proceed'  

   • Complete application.

     • For Section: Required supporting material - Reimportation
       At the bottom: TICK Provide additional information about this section:
       Upload copy of your Export Bill of Lading (BoL) from when your motorbike exported from Australia and write:
       Attached copy of BoL from when motorbike exported from Australia

   • Pay the AU$40 application fee

   • Processing can take up to six weeks - an Approval Notice will be issued
     Click here for EXAMPLE of Approval Notice

This Approval Notice will enable the reimportation and use of a personal motorbike you own, provided the motorbike details remain consistent with the information that was originally entered on the RAV or set out on the identification/used import plate placed in accordance with the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 (MVSA).

… and your done :)