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It's hard not to be cynical about the 'cleaning fees' imposed at customs, but as a tale of optimism and hope, I did not get charged with a cleaning fee. It was even raining on the day it was loaded up in the UK.

For NSW, use this to find an approved inspection garage. http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/registration/safetycheck/index.html They will advise what is necessary to get your car on the road. When your car is released from customs, you take it to your chosen garage.

Ours were opened and checked, then bright, yellow, security tape was used to tape it back so it was obvious. Wasn't all boxes, just random selection I think.

Like anything sent from overseas, there's a possibility you may get hit with tax when it arrives here but so far I haven't (this applies for any goods sent over, not just car parts). If you have the option of your mum bringing it over then go with that, otherwise I would just get it sent over. Sorry, I mis-read your post, I would just get the garage in UK to send over. Just check that the garage that will fix it for you will accept this though.

I don't think he is, he wanted to take my M5 off me but once you get it here, you may change your mind about selling it...:laugh:

BMW parts are expensive here, and if not in stock, they import them from Germany so there's a delay. For some garages, they will only use parts they have supplied as well. If you have a friendly dealer from the UK, you could ask them to ship parts out to you. I've done it a few times with Cotswold Gloucester and they've been great. Most of the time, even with shipping, it works out cheaper than here. Doesn't help with tyres though so best to get them replaced before leaving.

Very easy to apply online, if you aren't applying for citizenship

Are you renewing a UK passport but living in Australia, maybe this? https://www.gov.uk/overseas-passports

most were half full/used and some carnuba wax

I brought some of mine too, no problems. Depends how much I suppose.

My mistake, you're correct Chevrolet does sell the Cruze, which I presume is more or less a rebadged Holden. They seem to be selling the Camaro and Corvette in UK too, albeit in LHD form.

With second hand cars so much cheaper in UK then Aus, and factor in that your Cruze is not a rebadged model that sells in the UK, I would have thought it is too much hassle in terms of cost and future servicing and sale. Taking a hit here may still be better.

I agree, it may not be a 'problem' at 2.5 years, just need to monitor it. My son would only be making noises, no talking at all when he was 2.5. He started attending a pre-school around then and the teachers were fantastic, very experienced and knew exactly how to get him to interact and communicate with the teachers and his peers. His speech improved dramatically and he hasn't stopped talking since, even in his sleep sometimes, lol. I wish you the best.

He's kept that for a long time, I always thought he was swapping and changing his cars often.

When it clears customs and is registered for use on the roads. There's no restriction on a sell date.

As long as the items are dry, vacuum packing should be fine. We did it with our clothes and bedding and there were no problems.

Create a different Apple ID for Australia. Then just swap between those accounts as you need to pick up apps from either region.

If you can't link the new passport to the visa, just carry both old and new on your travels, that's what we do.

Looking back at my application, I also had similar issues. What I did was wrote a letter stating everything I had included in my application. I listed anything I had that was on their lists plus a number of additional documents (basically anything I could use to prove I was moving to Aus). These were things like applications for childcare waitlisting, opened an Aus bank account, shipping invoices, closure of some savings accounts, Bupa International medical cover for a few months, acceptance form from agent for renting our house, cancellations of UK insurances etc. So your booked flights, rental accommodation, stick a copy with the application and anything else you can think of.

Started with glasses when I was 9, moved to contacts during teenage years but got laser surgery around 10 years ago and it was one of the best decisions I've made. Funnily enough, it was a 2 eyes for the price of 1 offer :laugh:. After so long, the ability to wake up in the morning and see clearly, it still amazes me today. Having gone through the surgery once, I'm not sure I could do it again!

Whichever way, if you are buying Clarks shoes, definitely get them in UK as they can be up to 3 times the cost here.

My M5 was worth around £21000 in the UK, was valued at AU$40500 once imported. Valuations are can vary as it will depend on the person (time of month/day, sunny/raining, which way the wind blows etc.). Iron Chef recommends a 75% figure of current market prices to be on the safe side. If it comes in lower then that's money in your pocket.

There's more to exporting your van than just putting it on a ship. See here: http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/transport-shipping/97053-transporting-your-car-oz-everything-you-need-know.html

Looking back over docs, 1 Jan 2011, I was charged AU$215 for fees only, 3 or 4 boxes were opened and checked but pretty sure nothing else was required. Does your fees also include any actual work (decontamination etc.) too as the shippers will also pass on any extra costs arising from the checks?

The formula is different in Oz so do check first.