Here is a rough guide to importing vehicle intended to be registered for use on Australian roads and to reinforce this in government language one can look at http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/importing_vehicles/general/EligibilityCriteria_2.aspx#five.
But to summarize this in commercial language basically all vehicles require an import permit before even considering the shipping and customs or quarantine aspect. This should be your first consideration. For a Pdf copy of the application form look at the government website http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/importing_vehicles/general/Application.aspx or find it also on a commercial website http://www.edicustoms.com.au/forms.htm
If you intend to import a vehicle that is manufactured post 1988 then one must obtain compliance ahead of import approval and the relevent advice on RAWS workshops, SEVS, ADRs information etc can be found at http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/motor/standards/index.aspx
Basically speaking the Australian vehicle dealerships have lobbied the government to place restrictions to ensure later model vehicles are not freely obtained overseas and either are imported privately under strict guidelines or purchased from within an Australian dealership network.
One of the most common exclusions to this rule is that one must be either a migrant or Australian resident working overseas that can demonstrate 12 months continuous ownership and usage ahead of importation.
From a separate customs perspective 10% duty on passenger vehicles and 5% duty of 4wd and commercial vehicles applies to purchase price and also 10% GST on purchase price plus freight plus duty.
If your intended vehicle is 1988 of before manufacture and less than 30 years old then is free to be imported without major modification except the vehicle must be converted to right hand drive ahead of registration by a registered authority. Again consult http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/motor/standards/index.aspx for assistance with right hand drive conversions. Again from a separate customs perspective 10% duty on passenger vehicles and 5% duty of 4wd and commercial vehicles applies to purchase price and also 10% GST on purchase price plus freight plus duty.
If your intended vehicle is over 30 years old one is free to import without major modification and vehicles if desired can be kept left hand drive and registered after minor compliance modification and certification and minor expense. It is becoming desirable for left hand drive models of the "classics" to not be tampered with and kept and driven in Australia as manufactured. From a separate customs perspective there is nil duty on all vehicles and 10% GST applies only on purchase price plus freight.
Here is some practical logistics advice based on personal and professional experience coming from my perspective as a lifelong customs broker and international freight forwarder that specializes in the shipping of motor vehicles and motorcycles and one who has personally travelled to Japan, Europe and USA purchasing vehicles for personal usage or otherwise aquisition or collection. Any freight figures quoted are approximate at time of writing and should be used as a rough guide only. Prior to importation serious consideration should be given to the cleanliness of the vehicle and possibility of requesting steamcleaning services ahead of shipping if in doubt as there have been some cases of extremely dirty vehicles have arrived without any attempt to ensure cleanliness has resulted in in extreme case the Australian quarantine requesting re-export. Remember also that an import approval must be received ahead of shipping as in extreme cases DOTARS have requested re-export of vehicle arrived without application ahead of commencement of the application process.
With freighting ex USA the obvious gateway for Australia is Los Angeles where a container cost is US$2000/20' and US$2800/40' and the pack, haul and document cost is US$600/20' and US$900/40'. Cars can be hauled to Long Beach across USA via car haul specialists at costs from US$500-1000. Alternatively there are east coast drive on drive off vessel services but the services can be sporadic and can be heavily booked. Costs are lesser than containerised however the security aspect is lost and from USA containerised movement is the sought after option.
From Japan the drive on drive off car carriers are the respected and trusted movement method especially with expensive container packing costs in Japan. Expect to pay approx JPY100,000 in Japan and then approx A$1200 ocean freight.
From NZ again drive on drive off services are respected and widely available at cost of approx A$2000 but containerised options are available at higher cost.
From Hong Kong, Singapore and other Asia load ports we recommend packing containers and ocean freight is approx US$500/20' and US$1000/40' plus approx the same for pack and haul costs at load port.
From UK one should consider the containerised cost of US$1000/20' and US$2000/40' plus pack/haul costs in UK GBP500/20' and GBP750/40' however there is a reputable drive on drive off service ex Southampton at cheaper cost.
From other European areas consider containerisation again at approx same cost as UK and for Scandinavian and Northern Germany ports consider alternative of drive on drive off services again.
On arrival in Australia to clear a car off a drive on drive off vessel one should allow approx A$500-800 in total based on vehicle being relased by Quarantine on initial examination. If containerised then the container units must go to a licenced warehouse for unpack and allow costs all up of approx A$1500/20' and A$2000/40' covering all costs on release after initial quarantine inspection. Subsequent steamcleaning under quarantine direction is performed as guided on hourly basis. Once cleared customs and quarantine then it is over to a mechanical engineer who will charge approx A$500 for minor modification and certification under national road regulations ahead of state registration and then it is over to the state registry for the registration to use on roads at local registration cost.
There are other rules that apply to, for example, specialist trailers, CAMS, off road vehicles, Carnet (tempory imports) and if anyone has any specific questions they can be directed to the writer at john@edicustoms.com.au or phoning +61-417-733057. Many thanks....John Leggett - EDI Customs Brokers Pty Ltd http://www.edicustoms.com.au/
Kind Regards
John Leggett
E.D.I Customs Brokers Pty Ltd
Ph: +61 7 3862 4788
Mob: 0417 733 057
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www.edicustoms.com.au
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