Shipping an ebike from UK to australia

Bikerchef1

Member
May 21, 2023
18
12
perisher valley australia
Hey folks,answers are thin on the ground, google just takes me to various shipping companies and then there is all the palava before you get a quote! So my question,has anyone shipped (by sea as i think its basically impossible to fly an e bike to Aus)an Ebike from Scotlnd to Australia? Im heading to Scotland in a few months to visit relo's and was thinking of buying a bike whilst over there,then shipping it back to Aus at the end of the trip.Anyone had any experience of this procedure,and if so,who did you use? Much appreciated if anyone could point me in a viable direction,cheers
 

RustyMTB

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
Jul 22, 2020
3,074
7,474
UK
Shipping works on agents,. For a one off walk up job ex. the UK, try something like this.


You will have to work out whether the cost of shipping a bike outweighs the savings of just buying one at home. You'd also need to clarify if an ebike with battery is acceptable & if it were me, I'd include transit insurance as well.
 

DieBoy

Active member
Jul 14, 2023
162
257
EU
I suspect it would be cost-prohibitive, mainly due to the battery.

Alternative idea: ship the bike sans battery as luggage on your flight back. Buy a replacement battery when back home. With help of your relatives, sell the original battery 2nd-hand to recuperate some of the cost.

However you do it, it's not going to be cheap. You might be better off buying a 2nd hand ebike in Scotland and reselling it at the end of your trip.
 

RustyMTB

E*POWAH Elite World Champion
Jul 22, 2020
3,074
7,474
UK
This is a way better answer. I assume you specifically say shipping because reasons. It would be far better to just travel by air with the bike in the hold without a battery & buy one at the other end. That way the bike accompanies you & there's no waiting for five months while a boat wends its way round the Africa & Asia & it would undoubtedly be way cheaper.
 

Bikerchef1

Member
May 21, 2023
18
12
perisher valley australia
I suspect it would be cost-prohibitive, mainly due to the battery.

Alternative idea: ship the bike sans battery as luggage on your flight back. Buy a replacement battery when back home. With help of your relatives, sell the original battery 2nd-hand to recuperate some of the cost.

However you do it, it's not going to be cheap. You might be better off buying a 2nd hand ebike in Scotland and reselling it at the end of your trip.
Yeh I have definitely considered that option. Been looking on FB market place at various bikes. We have a decent chunk of time and places to visit,at worst I'll buy a second hand analogue bike so at least I'm riding while there. I've been perfectly happy rising non ebikes every other time I've been to Fort William,Glen tress etc but I've got a tad bit spoil3d after getting an ebike last year!
 

Ou812

Well-known member
Subscriber
Jun 26, 2022
965
763
Inverness
This is essentially what I do, buy my bikes in the US and fly them back to the UK in a bike bag. What I do is either sell the battery or buy without the battery and buy a new battery in the UK. I bought my Spesh here in the UK as I couldn’t get back to the US at the time but its replacement is waiting at my dad’s house. I’ll be over at the end of May to get it.
 

Mister cube

New Member
Dec 28, 2024
109
69
Isle of wight
Hey folks,answers are thin on the ground, google just takes me to various shipping companies and then there is all the palava before you get a quote! So my question,has anyone shipped (by sea as i think its basically impossible to fly an e bike to Aus)an Ebike from Scotlnd to Australia? Im heading to Scotland in a few months to visit relo's and was thinking of buying a bike whilst over there,then shipping it back to Aus at the end of the trip.Anyone had any experience of this procedure,and if so,who did you use? Much appreciated if anyone could point me in a viable direction,cheers
Could you not hire an e bike for the duration of your trip?
 

Ou812

Well-known member
Subscriber
Jun 26, 2022
965
763
Inverness
Could you not hire an e bike for the duration of your trip?

He’s looking to buy a bike in Scotland since it’s more than likely cheaper here than it is in Aus. I do it all the time but from the US to Scotland and I buy my bike from my mate in the US at or near cost, it’s worth it for me as it saves me a ton of money. I’m not sure how much OP would save versus buying it at home if he doesn’t have someone hooking him up with a good price.
 

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