What You Need to Know About Importing Electric Bikes and Scooters Into Australia
Are you moving to Australia and wanting to bring your E-bike or Scooter along for the journey? You may think it’s an easy ride and as simple as packing it into a container along with your other personal household effects, clearing customs and hopping aboard to explore your new neighbourhood on your beloved e-transportation.
Did you know not all e-bikes and e-scooters are created equal? Australia has strict rules regarding power, speed limits, and import approval certificates. To ensure your vehicle fits the regulations and will make it across borders, read carefully through our comprehensive guide to transporting your e-bike and e-scooter.
Following Australia’s Regulations Around Speed and Safety
To make sure your E-bike or E-Scooter is compliant and meets local safety standards, there are some key considerations:
If Importing an E-Bike
For your e-bike to be considered a bicycle rather than a motorbike, it must fit within the specific power and speed limitations.
- Pedal-Assist e-bikes (Pedelecs): These must have a maximum continuous power output of 250 watts and not exceed a speed of 25km/h when assisted by the motor.
- Throttle-controlled e-bikes: These must have a maximum continuous power output of 200 watts if the throttle provides power without pedalling.
If Importing an E-Scooter
Regulations around e-scooters can vary significantly between states. For example, you can’t use your personal e-scooter outside your private property in NSW. So, please check with the specific state transport rules you are moving to for details.
What’s an Import Approval Certificate, Who Needs it, and Where Can You Find One?
If the power of your used e-bike, e-scooter, e-skateboard or e-hoverboard exceeds 200 watts or your Pedelec (power-assisted pedal cycle) exceeds 250 watts of power, you will need to apply for a permit from the Department of Infrastructure. This certificate ensures your vehicle meets Australian Design Rules and safety standards. If your vehicle doesn’t sit within these power limitations, your e-items can’t be considered ‘non-road vehicles’ and will be classed alongside mopeds or motorcycles. You need to apply for this certificate before your e-vehicle is shipped and arrives in Australia. It’s an easy process; just follow these steps:
- Provide Vehicle Information: Gather details about your e-vehicle make, model year and specification.
- Submit your Application: Complete your application via the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts website or head directly here to start the process. Make sure all details are correct to avoid any unnecessary hold-ups.
- Pay Fees: Costs will depend on the type of e-vehicle you are declaring.
What’s an Advisory Notice, and Who Should Apply?
Owners of vehicles that meet the standards of a ‘non-road vehicle’ can apply for an Advisory Notice. The cost is $55, and you will need to provide the manufacturer’s specifications for approval.
Steps for your Import Approval Certificate and Advisory Notice Applications:
- Gather Vehicle Information: Collect the manufacturer’s details of your e-vehicle model, including make, year, and model.
- Submit Application: Complete your application and read over it in detail so you don’t miss anything, resulting in lengthy delays.
- Pay Fees: Your fee will depend on the type of vehicle and its compliance status
- Await Approval: Processing times can vary, so give yourself plenty of time before you pack and move to get pre-approval. If your vehicle complies with relevant Australian Design Rules and safety standards, it should be relatively quick and easy.
Clearing Customs and Biosecurity
If you don’t want your goods being held up at the border, you must meet Australia’s strict customs and biosecurity requirements; these include:
- Documentation: Prepare all the relevant documentation, including your Import Approval Certificate or Advisory Notice, copies of your detailed packing list, proof of ownership and any other compliance documentation.
- Cleaning: All e-vehicles must be thoroughly cleaned of mud and debris to remove biosecurity risks and avoid quarantine delays or costly penalties.
Things that May Cause Issues
Unfortunately, it’s not all smooth sailing (or should that be scootering or riding) when clearing your e-vehicles. Some red flags are:
- Compliance: If your vehicle was manufactured for another market with more lenient speed and power guidelines, you may face issues when applying for your Import Approval Certificate.
- State-Specific Regulations: As mentioned earlier, Australia does not have a ‘one size fits all’ approach. Each state has its own strict set of guidelines and local laws around e-vehicles, so familiarise yourself with them before you start the import process.
- Documentation Delays: We’ve all been guilty of missing out on details or ticking off a box, but if you don’t submit everything required on the documentation, you’ll hold up the approval process and clearance at customs.
On the Road to Success
It may seem a bit overwhelming, but we promise it’s not. Methodically work through the above steps to know what documentation you need to supply to pave the way for an easy and successful import journey for your e-vehicle into Australia. We promise you’ll be exploring your new neighbourhood in no time on your favourite way to get around while safely adhering to your new home’s local laws.