Shipping a Car or Motorbike to the Big Four: The Lowdown on Rules, Cleaning and Realistic Timelines

Shipping a vehicle overseas might seem a straightforward affair, but the fine print can quickly catch you off guard. The “big four” destinations for UK movers – the USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand – all permit personal vehicle imports, but the rules, cleaning expectations and timelines can vary quite significantly. Below you’ll find a practical, side-by-side guide to what actually changes by country, plus some tips on how to steer clear of the most common causes of delay.

The Key Differences by Destination at a Glance

If you only remember three things:

• USA: It all hinges on DOT/NHTSA safety and EPA emissions compliance. Don’t forget that there’s a well-known 25-year exemption for older vehicles, which makes importing a older car a whole lot easier (you can check out the details on the help.cbp.gov website)
• Canada: The 15-year rule is crucial – vehicles over 15 years old are generally not regulated at import under Canada’s Motor Vehicle Safety Act, while newer vehicles often need to go through the RIV process, which depends on the circumstances (tc.canada.ca has all the details)
• Australia and New Zealand: They’re both biosecurity-led. Now, don’t get this mixed up with “valet clean” – import paperwork is key, but cleanliness can make or break your clearance, with inspection, cleaning and re-inspection costs kicking in if standards aren’t met (Australian Border Force Website has all the info)

What “Clean” Actually Means (And Why It Matters Most for Australia and New Zealand)

For every destination, your vehicle should be in a state where it can be safely handled and doesn’t cause inspection issues. But Australia and New Zealand push for “biosecurity clean” not just “valet clean”.

A Biosecurity Cleaning Checklist (Do This Before Collection – Trust Us, It’s Crucial)

You want to aim for zero soil, seeds, plant matter, insects and standing water:

• Wheel arches, tyres and rims: pressure washer, then have a good old fashioned look by hand to make sure they’re spotless
• Underbody and chassis rails: seriously get in there with a mud brush and remove every last bit of road debris
• Engine bay: degrease carefully (make sure you avoid soaking any electrics)
• Interior: vacuum seats, carpets, boot, spare wheel well; get rid of any pet hair
• Motorbikes: chain area, sprockets, underside of guards, radiators and vents all need a good clean
• Camping and off-road kit: clean jacks, recovery boards, roof racks, under-seat storage
• No personal effects: a lot of shipping methods and borders will treat any loose items as a separate clearance risk

Australia is pretty clear – it’s your responsibility to ensure the vehicle is clean and free of contamination, and vehicles may be inspected by biosecurity officers on arrival (with fees charged). (Australian Border Force Website) New Zealand’s MPI sets a minimum set of biosecurity requirements for imported vehicles and machinery. (mpi.govt.nz)

A helpful tip: If the vehicle has been used off-road, it might be a good idea to plan for a proper underbody clean and add some extra time to the schedule.

The Documents You Will Nearly Always Need

The exact forms you need will vary, but these are the core documents that typically unlock clearance:

• Proof of ownership: V5C, title (where applicable), purchase invoice (don’t forget these)
• Photo ID and residency paperwork: passport, visa/residency documents (if relevant)
• Shipping paperwork: booking confirmation and Bill of Lading (have these on hand)
• Vehicle details: VIN/chassis number, make/model, build date, value (all this is pretty standard)
• Destination agencies’ required declaration forms (more on these below)

For motorbikes, it’s the same story: ownership, VIN and destination compliance still matter.

USA: Safety and Emissions Are the Key Gatekeepers

Key Rules to Keep in Mind

• The USA needs NHTSA/DOT safety standards and EPA emissions compliance, unless an exemption kicks in. (NHTSA has all the details)
• Vehicles 25 years old or older can generally be imported without regard to DOT safety standards, which can simplify personal imports for older vehicles. (help.cbp.gov)

Forms and Clearing Customs

You’ll want to deal with:

• NHTSA HS-7 Declaration (safety) (help.cbp.gov)
• EPA import requirements (emissions) (US EPA) – these can be a bit of a pain, but are worth getting right

Typical Timeline Reality

• Sea transit (UK to US East Coast): often around 2-4 weeks port-to-port, depending on sailing and port pair (East Coast generally comes in quicker than West Coast). (BR LOGISTICS)
• Add time for export processing, port handling, customs entry and any exams – it’s not uncommon for this to add a few weeks to the overall timeline.

Canada: The 15-Year Line, Plus RIV for Many Newer Vehicles

Key Rules to Keep in Mind

• Vehicles older than 15 years are generally not regulated at the time of importation under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act, with some specific notes about buses (tc.canada.ca has all the details).* For vehicles that are subject to regulation in Canada, the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) programme often comes into play – especially if they were manufactured for the US market and are under 15 years old. (publications.gc.ca)
• Canada Border Services Agency has its own set of entry requirements and outlines the process for importing in their guidance. (cbsa-asfc.gc.ca)

Typical Timeline – Don’t Get Caught Out

• Sea transit from the UK to Halifax: quotes can be as little as 8 days on specific routes, but don’t be surprised if it takes longer on other routes. (EON Logistics International Shipping)
• UK to Vancouver: allow several weeks for the journey – and be conservative with your timings if you’re heading to the West Coast.

Australia: Get Import Approval First, Then Clear Biosecurity Scrutiny

The Key Rules to Keep in Mind

• You’ll need to get import approval before the vehicle even sets sail. Australia is clear that importing a road vehicle without approval is an offence – and it’s all handled through the ROVER portal under the Road Vehicle Standards framework. (infrastructure.gov.au)
• Biosecurity is a serious business in Australia – vehicles are inspected on arrival and you can expect charges if they don’t meet the required standards. (Australian Border Force Website)

Typical Timeline Reality Check

• Sea transit from the UK to Australia: normally it takes 6-8+ weeks to get from port to port, depending on the route and any transhipments you need to make – and then add on extra time for approvals and inspections. (1st Move International)

New Zealand: Get Your Vehicle Through Border Inspection and Entry Certification

What You Need to Know

• New Zealand has a clear process in place that usually involves border inspection and entry certification before you can even think about registering and licensing your vehicle for road use. (nzta.govt.nz)
• MPI sets the minimum biosecurity requirements for vehicles, machinery and parts – and you’ll need to meet these if you want to avoid any issues. (mpi.govt.nz)

Typical Timeline Reality Check

• Sea transit from the UK to Auckland: normally around 6-7 weeks, although service and transhipment can play a big role in how long it actually takes. (Mercator Cargo Systems)
• And don’t forget to add on extra time for the MPI inspection and any cleaning that might be needed if the vehicle arrives with contamination concerns.

Planning for Reality – What to Expect

When it comes to planning an end-to-end move, be realistic about these timescales:

• USA: about 4-8 weeks (shorter for straightforward routes and compliant vehicles)
• Canada: about 4-8 weeks (although this can vary a lot depending on the port and whether the RIV programme is involved)
• Australia: about 8-14 weeks (import approval + longer sea transit + biosecurity scrutiny)
• New Zealand: about 8-14 weeks (sea transit + MPI inspection and entry process)

Keep in mind these are best-case planning ranges and not firm promises. The main things that can throw a spanner in the works are getting your paperwork wrong, compliance issues and biosecurity cleaning problems.

Why You Don’t Need to Worry About All the Rules Yourself

Vehicle shipping is one of those jobs where a small slip-up can cause big problems. Using an experienced international mover like Anglo Pacific to manage your shipment can make all the difference:

• Simplifies planning by co-ordinating everything around your household move (documentation and timing all in one place)
• Helps with destination requirements and getting the right paperwork in line
• Chooses the best shipping method for your car or motorbike
• Tells you what to expect on biosecurity cleaning to reduce the risk of delays, especially in Australia and New Zealand

Anglo Pacific can handle all the complicated bits for you, so you don’t have to try and sort out compliance, port processes and transport handovers on your own.

Next Steps

If you’re thinking of shipping a car or motorbike to the USA, Canada, Australia or New Zealand, get in touch with Anglo Pacific for help. We can assist with planning your documentation, timings and shipment options, and steer you clear of the common pitfalls that catch people out.