Taking your Defender overseas

Just thought I would complete the circle of our trip now that we and the 130 are back in Aus.

Shipping back from Germany to Aus cost 1,645 Euros, which is cheaper than in 2010. Same as last time, that included getting the container trucked to the inlaws place, waiting while we loaded, then trucked 100km to Munich, then railed 800km to Hamburg, etc. Somehow, it was less nerve wracking this time driving 1.5m high up the ramps into the container on the back of the truck.

We had luck and had 2 days of sunshine, while we were finishing packing and cleaning the Land Rover. But it was still minus 2 and the water out the tap not much warmer. Trust me, lying soaking wet under the LR scrubbing with a toothbrush in pools of water/ice, during intermittent snow showers, is not nearly as much fun as it sounds!

Once in Australia, it cost $2,385.14 to get the container off the ship, out of the port, 8km to the clearance depot, and unloaded! Which is simply outrageous!

Unloading the Land Rover from the container went pretty well. I could unlock and open the container, but wasn't allowed into the container to undo the straps, hook up the battery etc. Instead of taking my advice and just pushing the Land Rover out of the container, they got an attachment for the forklift and tried to lift the back wheels of the LR and pull it out. The LR (3t) was in difflock and low range, and won that little tug of war, with the fork lift doing numerous wheelies! Eventually they followed my advice and simply pushed it out!

Mr Quarantine made me unload EVERYTHING out of the LR! That was 600kg of gear tetrissed into the car! He looked in every single cupboard, lay under the car, wheel arches, and eventually he found a dead fly on the radiator and directed it to be cleaned. It was a mission to quickly pack everything back in, so they could take it to be washed! After 30min of washing, I was relieved to only be charged an extra $30, and I was on my way.

It is great to be back in Aus, and have my beloved 130 back in one piece aswell.

Thanks for the update.....only 1367 days for our turn

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Originally Posted by danialan

Just thought I would complete the circle of our trip now that we and the 130 are back in Aus.

Shipping back from Germany to Aus cost 1,645 Euros, which is cheaper than in 2010. Same as last time, that included getting the container trucked to the inlaws place, waiting while we loaded, then trucked 100km to Munich, then railed 800km to Hamburg, etc. Somehow, it was less nerve wracking this time driving 1.5m high up the ramps into the container on the back of the truck.

We had luck and had 2 days of sunshine, while we were finishing packing and cleaning the Land Rover. But it was still minus 2 and the water out the tap not much warmer. Trust me, lying soaking wet under the LR scrubbing with a toothbrush in pools of water/ice, during intermittent snow showers, is not nearly as much fun as it sounds!

Once in Australia, it cost $2,385.14 to get the container off the ship, out of the port, 8km to the clearance depot, and unloaded! Which is simply outrageous!

Unloading the Land Rover from the container went pretty well. I could unlock and open the container, but wasn't allowed into the container to undo the straps, hook up the battery etc. Instead of taking my advice and just pushing the Land Rover out of the container, they got an attachment for the forklift and tried to lift the back wheels of the LR and pull it out. The LR (3t) was in difflock and low range, and won that little tug of war, with the fork lift doing numerous wheelies! Eventually they followed my advice and simply pushed it out!

Mr Quarantine made me unload EVERYTHING out of the LR! That was 600kg of gear tetrissed into the car! He looked in every single cupboard, lay under the car, wheel arches, and eventually he found a dead fly on the radiator and directed it to be cleaned. It was a mission to quickly pack everything back in, so they could take it to be washed! After 30min of washing, I was relieved to only be charged an extra $30, and I was on my way.

It is great to be back in Aus, and have my beloved 130 back in one piece aswell.

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Where'd you get yours processed by AQIS Alan? I'm keen to use different shipping agents (or none at all) next time and possibly a different processing facility.

Where mine went the onsite AQIS team wouldn't let me oversee the inspection - they did however fortunately let me drive it out of the container after they couldn't find the battery :cool:. They took it off for the inspection and I was paranoid they were going to break something trying to unload / open everything. Fortunately they didn't realise it was a pop-top at all so Mulgo's roof was untouched. I was then called to come pick it up a few days later when inspected and found my gear strewn all over their shed - my surfboard and snowboards were missing. They had found their way into a random pile belonging to who knows. My clothes were just thrown on the filthy floor. I was a little displeased.

I did the same -2 winter clean. They still found "dirt under the floor mats" which I know was impossible as I specifically cleaned them to dinner plate spec knowing they'd get checked. To steam clean under one floor mat which I imagine took them 1 minute given it was sparkling clean cost me $100!

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Originally Posted by weeds

Thanks for the update.....only 1367 days for our turn

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Where are you headed?

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Originally Posted by knodes85

Where'd you get yours processed by AQIS Alan? I'm keen to use different shipping agents (or none at all) next time and possibly a different processing facility.

Where mine went the onsite AQIS team wouldn't let me oversee the inspection - they did however fortunately let me drive it out of the container after they couldn't find the battery :cool:. They took it off for the inspection and I was paranoid they were going to break something trying to unload / open everything. Fortunately they didn't realise it was a pop-top at all so Mulgo's roof was untouched. I was then called to come pick it up a few days later when inspected and found my gear strewn all over their shed - my surfboard and snowboards were missing. They had found their way into a random pile belonging to who knows. My clothes were just thrown on the filthy floor. I was a little displeased.

I did the same -2 winter clean. They still found "dirt under the floor mats" which I know was impossible as I specifically cleaned them to dinner plate spec knowing they'd get checked. To steam clean under one floor mat which I imagine took them 1 minute given it was sparkling clean cost me $100!

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We actually went with a shipping handler in Brisbane that was also an authorised aqis inspector. That made it trivial for the whole process. However that was for motorcycles. Currently in the Planning stages for the 110.

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Originally Posted by stewie110

Where are you headed?

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Destination unknown at this stage......other than we are committing ourself to a trip somewhere

Leaning toward Europe at is stage, in and out of Hamburg.....there are a few things/events we what to knock of plus plenty of hiking.

We were initially keen to do Africa....it's second choice at the moment.

That fall back is the big lap.....

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Originally Posted by weeds

Destination unknown at this stage......other than we are committing ourself to a trip somewhere

Leaning toward Europe at is stage, in and out of Hamburg.....there are a few things/events we what to knock of plus plenty of hiking.

We were initially keen to do Africa....it's second choice at the moment.

That fall back is the big lap.....

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It is possible to do Europe and Africa to Cape Town in 12 comfort months. It's always nice to have more time. But you can get a good chunk of relaxed miles.

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Originally Posted by stewie110

It is possible to do Europe and Africa to Cape Town in 12 comfort months. It's always nice to have more time. But you can get a good chunk of relaxed miles.

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Will will more than likely dip into Northern Africa......

Really, we have no idea at the moment, who knows where we will end up, just concentrating on setting up the vehicle first. Although four years will go pretty quick.

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Originally Posted by weeds

Will will more than likely dip into Northern Africa......

Really, we have no idea at the moment, who knows where we will end up, just concentrating on setting up the vehicle first. Although four years will go pretty quick.

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Agree we are heading off around the same time. Although our plans are south east Asia to Europe.

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Originally Posted by knodes85

Where'd you get yours processed by AQIS Alan? I'm keen to use different shipping agents (or none at all) next time and possibly a different processing facility.

Where mine went the onsite AQIS team wouldn't let me oversee the inspection - they did however fortunately let me drive it out of the container after they couldn't find the battery :cool:. They took it off for the inspection and I was paranoid they were going to break something trying to unload / open everything. Fortunately they didn't realise it was a pop-top at all so Mulgo's roof was untouched. I was then called to come pick it up a few days later when inspected and found my gear strewn all over their shed - my surfboard and snowboards were missing. They had found their way into a random pile belonging to who knows. My clothes were just thrown on the filthy floor. I was a little displeased.

I did the same -2 winter clean. They still found "dirt under the floor mats" which I know was impossible as I specifically cleaned them to dinner plate spec knowing they'd get checked. To steam clean under one floor mat which I imagine took them 1 minute given it was sparkling clean cost me $100!

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Hi John

We went through Interport directly this time. Last time we went through EDI and unloaded at the same Interport facility. It initially looked like we would save a few hundred dollars this time by cutting out the middleman, which we assumed was the brokers cut. But they had omitted the $545 Port charge so it ended up being almost the same price anyway.

Interport said I wouldn't be allowed unpack, but could attend and guide. Same as in 2010 - but that time I ended up unstraping it, hooking up the battery, unloading etc everything. This time the boss and several teams of AQUIS guys were parading around, so the guys on the floor were reluctant to let me too close initially. Not a nice feeling having a grubby sweaty bloke sitting in my flash Recaro, driving my 130 around the depot, with me in hot pursuit.

After it was out of the container, they said they couldn't inspect my vehicle straight away, and it might even be the day after!!! They wanted to unload everything onto pallets. No way! So I insisted they leave everything packed in the LR. I took the keys and locked it. After clogging up their office, being the squeaky wheel, getting in the way, and making it clear to the manager I wasn't going anywhere without my LR, how it was a quick straight forward job, and how with his skills and talents, that I was sure he could find a solution ;), he finally convinced the AQUIS guy to fit in my inspection. Initially without me, but they couldn't get the bonnet open, so called me in and I was staying there after that.

As another option Tom from EDI mentioned that "we are packing consolidated containers ex UK, ... it does represent a significant saving if you can get the car to London. The freight cost is GBP890, and the local charges are AUD$1250.00+gst and AUD$250.00." I assume the saving is by sharing a 40 foot container where most costs are halved. He also sent me this great photo of this Defender "Colonel Mustard" in Nepal I believe.

The whole process is unpleasant, as it is your property, but control is totally out of your hands.