Cleaning a bike for entry to Australia

Folks, I'm off to Perth tomorrow, and in a slight panic about how clean to get my bike.

I've taken everything off and scrubbed it, but it being an 1980's bike it had some wear and tare, mainly being dark scratches on a light paintwork. I know they're mainly looking for earth and plant matter, so I'm hoping oil and grease don't cause me any grief.

Do I risk being refused entry with it? If anyone has experience of flying with a bike into Australia, please let me know.

Cheers.

Toby

Hi Toby,

Being an ex-Perthvert myself, I can tell you that Customs are VERY strict and no matter how hard you clean your bike, chances are they may still have a problem with it. I've never gone through the airport customs with a bike, however my cousins had some shipped over when they moved from Ireland and these were detained at Customs. From memory, their options were to either have the bikes disposed of (at a cost of $70 ea., or to get them properly cleaned for around $150). This was despite them cleaning them before they were shipped.

So I don't mean to worry you, but know they are strict and while you may clean it free from any material, it just may not be clean enough.

Cheers,

Thought that might be the case, I don't think i'll be able to clean it to their spec. I'll just have to suffer the charges I suppose. It's only £30 to take it on the flight, so another £100 for cleaning is manageable.

Bloody customs.

Ah well.

Toby - I've been through Perth customs 6 times with a bike. You will get stopped but they tend to be pretty speedy as long as it's not a MTB, the biggest thing is to make sure your tyres/wheels are completely clean.

Make sure you get to the Speed Dome velodrome, an amazing piece of indoor track - they do 'come and have a go' coached sessions and you can hire bikes there.

There is some beautiful road riding there - this time of year get out early in the morning. The coast road is lovely.

2 words of warning tho, take the most puncture resistant tyres you can and always ride with plenty of spares [chucking beer bottles out of cars seems to be an olympic sport] and be prepared for 'japery' from cars - it is a very car orientated place and as a cyclist you're a bit of an oddity - shouts and the odd slap on the arse.

beautiful place tho and some lovely riding [Fremantle has a bit of a fixed gear community going]

Cheers for that, I've spent some time in Perth, but never taken a bike. It's certainly car orientated, I'll do my bit to remind them that cyclists have some fight ;-)

Freyo seems to have some cyclists, as does town (couriers mainly), looking forward to riding! and thanks for the Speed Dome recommendation.

If they are being that strict you could remove tyres (and perhaps chain) altogether and just take some new ones in a packet.

Well, after days of scrubbing bike and buying new tires, I was waved through customs without so much as a cursory glance. Still, cleanest bike in Perth, possibly. Thanks for the advice guys.

Ummmm why are they funny about dirt? OCD?

I flew to Perth mid mad cow epidemic, was almost strip searched as I didn't live in a big city. I think they assume that if you are not from central London then you must be a farmer and here to spread anthrax. My (clean) walking boots were accused of harbouring all sorts of nasties. They've got a pretty sweet fence to keep rabbits out too.

I left Oz on Sep 12th 2001. That was a great check-in experience too, overheard some supreme racism whilst queuing, plenty directed at a Swiss Jewish couple (renowned for their feisty politics) 'cos the dude had a beard and a yarmulke. Somebody actually accused him of being a Nazi!

CSB

Ummmm why are they funny about dirt? OCD?

They try to keep diseases and infections out the country.
Think it's something to do with them being an island nation and they have a lot of native flora that hasn't gotten tolerant to foreign bacteria/mites etc so what would wilt a few leaves in another country will wipe out crops in Oz.

Yikes, glad this thread has popped up.

I'm off to Melbourne with my bike early next year, via a week in Beijing, and I hadn't thought of cleaning it at all.

The bike won't be unpacked or used when in China, but I'm wondering whether it'll cause any additional headaches regarding suspected contamination?

You learn something new everyday.

Get some new tires, and tell them you've left it boxed in China, should be fine. Got myself a cannondale Caad9 to complement the track bike. So nice having some bikes here this time!

Pretty much everything detailed already, I was told once that after normal clean with a detergent tt and get hold of a steam cleaner (car valet places often have big ones for doing engine bays) and then get down to work witt that on your bike (decals might bin it).
Buying new tyres there or with you in their packing is a really good idea!

Steam clean is a good idea, as are the new tyres :)

Ta for the advice fellas!

Well, after days of scrubbing bike and buying new tires, I was waved through customs without so much as a cursory glance. Still, cleanest bike in Perth, possibly. Thanks for the advice guys.

Told ya.

last time i went home, they cleaned my shit for me
(golf clubs/shoes, etc...)

You're local, not some filthy forrun.

they still fucking treated me like one. i got all sorts -

shitcunt customs officer: "what is your purpose of this visit?"
prodigal son: "erm, i am coming home"
sco: "why have you been away for 4 years?"
ps: "because i could"
pco: "how long are you planning to stay?
ps: "as long as i fucking like, what sort of a question is that?"
pco: "son, come with me..."

perth customs officers are fucking massive dickheads.

At least you got your prostate checked though

they still fucking treated me like one. i got all sorts -
shitcunt customs officer: "what is your purpose of this visit?"
prodigal son: "erm, i am coming home"
sco: "why have you been away for 4 years?"
ps: "because i could"
pco: "how long are you planning to stay?
ps: "as long as i fucking like, what sort of a question is that?"
pco: "son, come with me..."
perth customs officers are fucking massive dickheads.

What passport are you on though? Aussie one?

I've never had any 'real' grief from passport places anywhere. Every now and then someone will ask a couple more questions than usual but nothing harrowing.

I took a skin drum to my old man through Tulla and the bloke checked it but was really cool about it all.

I didn't tell him it was human skin.

ha.

ausso passport.

i made the mistake the first time i went back of using the pommo passport to leave lhr, and the aus passport to enter perth (to avoid the queues). that blew their brains, and i got out AFTER sarah, on a uk passport.

they still fucking treated me like one. i got all sorts -

shitcunt customs officer: "what is your purpose of this visit?"
prodigal son: "erm, i am coming home"
sco: "why have you been away for 4 years?"
ps: "because i could"
pco: "how long are you planning to stay?
ps: "as long as i fucking like, what sort of a question is that?"
pco: "son, come with me..."

perth customs officers are fucking massive dickheads.

Did they not recognise you? For shame.

Yeah, if I double up passports I'll only take one..

probably the Columbian one..