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Australia to Malaysia

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Port Klang, Selangor, Malaysia

Onboarding Process

Own Bike Odyssey (OBO) is a Rider-focused Service that does not accept payment until the onboarding process is completed. Please trust in the process and be rest assured that we manage the planning and execution of the Service with the same level of care. If you have any issues then go to the Contact Page to reach out :) The steps you need to take to secure your space are:

1) READ:

  • Overview Page, including info on processes for export from Australia and import to Malaysia.
  • Payment Page, including info on additional charges to be considered.

2) REGISTER INTEREST

  • Note your preliminary big picture queries. Include info about your rough intended route and timings.
  • You will receive an automatic email with access to your Personal SMP Portal, which includes your Tasks Page.
  • You will receive a later email from OBO responding to your queries.

3) READ:

  • Tasks Page, which clearly outlines what is required from you throughout the Service.
  • TERMS & CONDITIONS, which are sincere in provision of transparency to how the Service works.

4) COMPLETE YOUR PROFILE 

  • Note your detailed queries about absolutely everything. Include your anxieties. Now is the time to get bogged down in the weeds if you wish. 

5) GOOGLE MEET OR PHONE CALL

  • Completion of the tasks above provide the foundation for a premium phone call that focuses on all the niche stuff specific to YOU and your intended journey.
  • This phone call is not compulsory if you have completed Steps 1 to 4 and are comfortable with everything.

6) PAY YOUR DEPOSIT TO SECURE YOUR SPACE

The OBO Service is dependent on processes that use Full Container Load (FCL). With very few exceptions, the use of Less than Container Load (LCL) is not recommended. When OBO containers are full, the shipment will close and we wish all the best to the rest!

China Crossing

Planning for SE Asia to Europe starts with engaging a China motorbike tourism professional. Lock in a plan for your China crossing then the rest of your plan works backwards and forwards from two milestones: 1) entry date from Boten Laos to Mohan China; and 2) exit date to Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan or Mongolia. Other exits are also possible but these options make the most sense for a route to Europe. Nepal exit is an option but then you would need to arrange an onward shipment from India due to the closure of the Wagah border crossing to Pakistan.

You can cross China as: 1) part of a guided tour; or 2) you can ride free with the tourism company providing 'border assistance' and other key services for your time in China. Some options to consider:

  1. Ride China - Jah
  2. China Road Trips - Edward
  3. Drive China - Bing
  4. Road Pioneer - Echo

Map by Ride China for Trans-China Tour from Laos to Kyrgyzstan 

Around the Caspian

Russia

The common route for overlanders has been from Kazakhstan to Georgia via Russia. Get the Russia Tourist Visa from your home country before you depart. Those headed trans-China to Mongolia will need dual entry because a dog leg is required through Russia's Altai region to get to Kazakhstan. Do not be tempted by the Transit Visa because it is significantly less flexible.

Caspian Ferry to Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan has kept its land and sea borders closed for entry since 2020 and is unlikely to open them up again anytime soon. While you can fly in without restrictions, and exit via land or sea, you cannot enter via a land or sea border. The workaround is to put your Motorbike on the Caspian Sea Ferry from Kuryk to Alat and fly yourself from Aktau to Baku.

Iran

Since the USA withdrawal from Afghanistan on 30 Aug 2021, overlanding and adventure tourism has ramped up in the region to 'booming' through 2024 - 2025. Many overlanders have been travelling a route via Tajikistan - Afghanistan - Iran, however, on 28 Feb 2026 the USA-Israel war kicked off with Iran, which renders this route a bad idea. The Australian Embassy in Tehran has suspended operations and staff evacuated. The threat of arbitrary detention via Iran is real.  

Truck from Kyrgyzstan to Poland

ADV Factory and Moto Birds have motorbike truck transport options from Bishkek to Warsaw from early-Jul to mid-Oct. The bike turnaround time is vicinity one month.

Photo: 350km ride (+ border crossing) from Atyrau Kazakhstan to Astrakhan Russia

Season and Ride Window

Justification of our Malaysia shipment timings has three primary considerations: 1) Riders will be launching into China from Laos from late April onwards; 2) three month allowance for Riders wanting a full SE Asia experience; and 3) ensuring reliability of logistics around Christmas - New Year - Chinese New Year.

Northern Thailand and Laos get hot in April but you must be mindful of conditions from Sangri-La onwards up onto the Tibetan Plateau when considering your entry date to China. Be guided by your China tour professional on the various potential conditions and timings. 

Crossing to Cambodia is a dogleg via Chong Mek (Thailand) to Pakse (Laos) due to Thailand-Cambodia tensions. Best to rule out Vietnam on own bike as it's not easy done.  

As for the other end the bit to be mindful of are the mountainous regions of Greater Caucasus and Armenian Highlands. Foreign Riders can easily be unaware of the seasonal dangers of this region, including this writer on his first run through there. Riders should ideally be east of this high altitude region by mid-Oct. The Black Sea coastal route can be used to get out of trouble but you don't want to miss Turkey's cream riding. If you're wanting to dabble in Europe's high altitude riding then consider that many High Alps tours aim for early Sep to be post holidays but still pretty sure of the remote high passes being open. Locals enjoy mid-Sep to mid-Oct because the motorbike carousels have finished and they can launch their rides whenever the weather comes good.  

Photo: Dumb Aussies (Brothers Reid) caught out too late in the season NW Iran

Early Bird Incentive

Ideally full container loads (FCLs) are exported from Brisbane and Melbourne, however, the final decision is determined by best possible overall benefit to riders who have paid their deposit. If there are only 4 out of 24 riders who want Brisbane then there won’t be a Brisbane container. It costs vicinity AU$500 to transport a loose motorbike between Brisbane and Melbourne. It's much cheaper in a stillage. If you haven't paid your deposit then your depot vote won't count. This is the Early Bird Incentive.

TRANSPORT METHOD

Intent is to exclusively use OBO's Motorbike Transport Stillages for all primary shipments. If stillages not used then Motorbikes will be secured to timber pallets.  

 

Origin Export Process

Overlanding logistics can seem daunting at the outset, which is why we get you ORGANISED! When you register click the TASKS tab to see what's required of you. It includes completing your profile, uploading copies of critical documentation and taking specific photos. EVERYTHING MUST MATCH! Then we take care of the rest. The information you compile for this shipment is also critical for other aspects of your journey so make sure you back it all up - you will need it.  

Depot Secure Storage

2 WEEKS FREE STORAGE provided before container pack day. This free storage window to deliver your motorbike is vicinity ETD less 1 - 3 weeks. Storage before that period is AU$ 5 per day.

Photo: Port of Brisbane

Sea Freight Service

All the major shipping lines have options to Port Klang's Westports with many trans-shipping via Singapore or Tanjung Pelepas. We intend to book a direct service (no trans-shipment) likely with COSCO, who have the most direct and most frequent service.
Picture: COSCO's Australia South Asia Lane (ASAL)

Destination Import Process

Process streamlined as follows:

  1. Monday: Agent brokers softcopy of critical permit (ICP). Rider must send Agent photo of their immigration stamp by 10am for ICP application. ICP softcopy is required to proceed with Customs clearance of Motorcycle following day (authorities are strict on this rule as of 2025). 
  2. Tuesday: Collect Motorcycle from our warehouse in Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) and complete Customs. Allow 4 - 6 hours depending on Rider numbers.
  3. Wednesday: Motorcycle inspection by Department of Transport (JPJ). This is quick, booked for the morning and an Agent's staff member will assist to ensure no hiccups. The Motorcycle must complete this inspection within 48 hours of clearing Customs.
  4. Thursday is a buffer day in case of delay turning around ICP.

Carnet de Passages en Douane (CPD)

CPD is required for Malaysia shipping. Clear guidance is given in Tasks for the Motorbike Owner to arrange this document with the Australian Automobile Association (AAA). From 1 July 2026, the AAA CPD cost is AU$1,178 Application Fee and a refundable bond of AU$5,000. The refundable bond is reclaimed from AAA after the CPD is discharged.

Port Klang Westports is a top 10 container port in the world. OBO sincerely believes this is the most reliable regional port option for this shipment. A big part of that reliability stems from the use of the CPD system.

Third-Party Insurance, Foreign Vehicle Permit (ICP) and Road Transport Department (JPJ) inspection

This stuff is the Owner's responsibility, however, it is intertwined with Malaysia's import process and there is too much risk of delay with the Owner organising for themselves. Therefore an additional mandatory service is provided to ensure a streamlined experience. This is a separate charge payable on motorcycle collection day. 

Total Estimate for 30 days is AU$ 215. Costing as follows:  

MYR 150 (AU$50) Brokerage Fee for Insurance
MYR 70 (AU$25) averaged cost of 30 days insurance for last season's motorcycles. Exact cost dependent on Motorcycle and duration.  
MYR 400 (AU$ 140) Brokerage Fee for ICP (30 days) and JPJ Inspection. This includes Agent's staff member to assist with inspection as there is generally no English speaking staff at JPJ.

Depot Storage

MYR 6 (AU$ 2.10) per day from container unpack payable on motorcycle collection day.

Weeks not available for motorbike collection

Ability to get anything done in Malaysia is drastically impacted by holiday periods. We must also be mindful of Ramadan from Mon 08 Feb to Mon 08 Mar. Weeks (identified by Monday date) that we will not clear motorcycles are:

  • Mon 08 Feb: Chinese New Year holidays start from around Fri 05 Feb.
  • Mon 22 Feb: Nuzul Al Quran public holiday only Wed but can impact the whole week. 
  • Mon 08 Mar: Hari Raya Aidilfitri (end of Ramadan) holidays Wed + Thu

Picture: Satellite view of Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ) connection with West Port

OBO Return Shipment to Australia

Milan, Italy

ETD 2nd week of November. Gives the Rider a >9-month ride window from Kuala Lumpur. Storage is available at both ends for as long as the Rider needs. For example, bike could get stored for two months both ends to create a 6-month ride window from early-Mar to early-Sep.    

Two primary considerations for Italy export timing: 1) Give Europe shipment Riders time for Morocco in October; 2) time vessel ETA Australia for smooth import process 1st week of January post holiday period; and 3) time Euro Rider launch Australia for end of school holidays late January.