sending petrol tank to australia

[mickwinf]

Had an enquiry from new member for a petrol tank i am selling, but did not realise he was in australia. Has anyone had experience of sending a fuel tank there as i am worried that it would be banned goods due to having had fuel in it. Also which courier would be best. I have tried the search function but no success.

[Bryanj]

I have sent engine parts nut i agree that as a tank cannot be certified "gass free" it would not be acceptable to send and may even not be allowed entry, bikes are not if they have asbestos in the gaskets and how can you PROVE they havent.

[Oddjob]

Remove all the gaskets then, simple. Reassemble when in the country.

Remove the cap and the tap Mick, let the tank breathe for a week or so. Any residual fumes should be gone by then. If not fill with water or diesel. Try again.

[MCTID]

Empty it thoroughly, then just give it a good airing, shove a compressed airline in it for a few minutes and then leave it open for a few days.

Declare it as 'MotorcycleSpare Parts' on the Customs Documents and it should be OK.

Australia is anal about Asbestos but other stuff should be OK.

Maybe your Customer can recommend a good Courier.

[Matt_Harrington]

I maybe imagining it but I seem to recall a process of running exhaust fumes through a petrol tank before repair work  / welding was done (once the tank was dried out)

[Lobo]

Last year Menno (on this forum) kindly posted me a beautifully painted 750 tank to my home here in Brisbane (admittedly from Germany); I don’t recall him mentioning any significant hurdles or issues. (His web address www.tanklackieren.de)

I personally bought 5x bikes out from the UK in 2019; and had to make a ‘no Asbestos’ declaration for each. As a precaution I took the brake pads out of all the machines. I believe Oz customs, at their whim, are entitled to strip any bike to check for asbestos, and if any found may return / destroy it…. but the reality is slim and would be very bad luck.

[Athame57]

Why just say it is a 'metal container' you wouldn't  actually be lying! 

[mickwinf]

Thanks for the advice guys, just waiting to hear from him as he may have a friend in UK i can send it to. I was worried if I sent it as "spares" if it was found out it would be confiscated, probably watching too many Oz tv programs about customs!