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Clearing a bike though customs and quarantine in Darwin involves a number of steps. The below is the procedure used to collect from Perkins shipping.

...see this link for details of how to load a bike in Singapore.

- Once the ship has arrived, either call Perkins or make a visit to their office at Frances Bay Drive, Darwin Harbour. This is within walking distance (20 mins) of the city at GPS co-ord's S12 27.664 E130 50.857. They will let you know when it is available for inspection. As a guide, I was told that mine would not be unloaded until 4 days later, however I asked nicely and they managed after 3 days. They will also give you an invoice for handling costs (mine came to AUD 106 for two bikes sent as a single consignment).

- Now that you know when it is available for viewing, go to the customs office on Lindsay Street (also walking distance) at co-ord's S12 27.501 E130 50.457. Take along your carnet, bill of lading and passport and complete a 'Quarantine Form'. Give this back to Customs and pay them the AUD 90 AQIS fee and they can fax the form to AQIS (quarantine) on your behalf. The fee was per appointment so covered both bikes as they were under the same consignment. Wait for 5-10 minutes and then call AQIS to make an appointment (Customs let me use their phone). They seemed quite flexible at fitting me in. Tell Customs what time the appointment is as they come along too.

- Go along to Perkins' office at the harbour at your appointment time (take some closed shoes as opposed to sandals or they won't let you in). You must now pay Port Security Charges (AUD 106.89 which was weight based) that you received the invoice for already. You get issued with a pass and an orange vest to wear and head down to wherever your bikes are being stored, where you meet the AQIS officer. He told me to empty out my panniers. I also told him that I had changed the air filter and taken off all of the panels and washed them. He has a nose around with his torch. With a bit of luck, he gives the green light and the Customs people come and join. They take a quick look at the emptied out panniers and stamp the carnet.

- Then, it's back to the Perkins reception to give back your orange vest and pass and they give you a Delivery Order note and you are free to ride away!

- Next, it is off to sort out registration and insurance at the RTA. The office is at Goyder Street, around a 10 minute ride outside town at co-ord's S12 26.253 E130 50.389. Here is where things were a little unclear as the manager said that the 3rd party insurance that they include with registration (i.e. paper registration, not registration plates) covers only Northern Territory. If, like me, you will only spend a few days before moving to another state, you can get a 'Temporary License' which permits you (including insurance) to effectively relocate your bike within 7 days. The cost of this was AUD 37.95. It was unclear whether it provides insurance cover in other states. The RTA said that it probably did but that I would have to check with the Western Australia police. There was no point in registering in NT when I would only be there for 2 days.

It is possible to buy 3rd party insurance from Northern Territory Tours and Travel in the Air Raid Arcade on Cavenagh Street, Darwin. Note that this 3rd party insurance is for property and is not a requirement. It does not cover 3rd party persons, which is compulsory.

- When I arrived in Broome, I booked an inspection (like an MOT in the UK) at Broome Toyota on MacPherson Drive (near the airport). It took 2 days for an appointment so phone ahead on 9192 1277. The inspection cost AUD 58.10. Tell them that it is for an Overseas Vehicle Registration. They will need to put the correct 'Concession Code' on the form, which, for me was '996'. They fax off the report to Perth, who process it and fax back something which Toyota give to you. Apparently, this can take a day or two for Perth to turn around, but mine was done within an hour. You can then go around to the MVR office in central Broome, fill in an ID verification form and give them the Inspection form, your passport, Carnet, license, UK registration document and if you have it, a copy of your UK tax disc to prove that the registration document is current. For me, they issued an Australia wide 'Motor Vehicle Licence and Third Party Insurance' certificate for AUD 53.65, valid until the same date as my UK tax disc. This only took 20 minutes to process and then I was off!

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