Has anybody shipped a caravan?

[fosseboy]

...and lived not to regret it?

 

I am looking for real experiences here. We love our Adria and had thought of buying a new larger one before leaving the UK but we are hearing so many problem tales from caravanners about taking UK vans in. But all the comments are from people who have not done it! And some of course are trying to encourage us to buy Aussie caravans.

 

There are compliance issues and I can't find out how easy or costly it is to make all the changes. The UK Bailey caravan firm has warned us not to buy one of their vans in the UK as their export models are totally different. But our dealer has said they often export UK vans to Oz...but cannot tell us what the experience was when it arrived. And one of Bailey's own dealers advertises an export service to Oz

 

Any comments would be appreciated

[starlight7]

I wouldn't do it- there are lots of fantastic vans for sale here so why would you bother? Caravanning is very popular and some of them are absolutely luxurious with showers, toilets etc on board.

[Perthbum]

Tried it once but it sank.

[rikyuu]

I don't know what the process is, but would love to find out! One thing I can say is caravans are extortionate here. The one we sold for 900 quid in the UK would be at least $10000 here. There are certainly some amazing vans here, including ones which you can take off road with 4 wheel independant suspension etc, but they cost a bit.

[fosseboy]

I don't know what the process is, but would love to find out! One thing I can say is caravans are extortionate here. The one we sold for 900 quid in the UK would be at least $10000 here. There are certainly some amazing vans here, including ones which you can take off road with 4 wheel independant suspension etc, but they cost a bit.

 

Our Adria would cost £16000 ish in the UK new. The Australian dealers are asking $57000 plus.

 

So starlight 7...pricing is one reason when shipping costs are no more than $7000 and we didn't particularly want to sell the caravan.

 

And our van is equally luxurious I am sure, and inside and outside looks the same as an Adria on sale in Oz.

 

Would still like to hear from someone who has done it

[Guest WishIdneverleft]

Our Adria would cost £16000 ish in the UK new. The Australian dealers are asking $57000 plus.

 

So starlight 7...pricing is one reason when shipping costs are no more than $7000 and we didn't particularly want to sell the caravan.

 

And our van is equally luxurious I am sure, and inside and outside looks the same as an Adria on sale in Oz.

 

Would still like to hear from someone who has done it

 

Boats, caravans,'planes and import cars are a bit of a racket in Australia and the dealers will try to discourage you and will invent horror stories. Howeer, they are just trying to protect their trade.

 

Get in touch with Customs for advice:

 

[h=2]Contact Cargo Support[/h]

 

• [h=3]1300 558 099[/h]

6am to 9pm (AEDT) Monday to Friday and 7am to 7pm (AEDT) weekends

 

• Fax: (02) 8339 6713

• Email: cargosupport@customs.gov.au

 

[rachall]

Just to let you know we will be taking our twin axle swift with us and despite the issues we've had getting it shipped. We have found someone who does this professionally and can't wait to start touring in oz with our van. By the way it is going in a container as roll on roll of is too risky.

[fosseboy]

Just to let you know we will be taking our twin axle swift with us and despite the issues we've had getting it shipped. We have found someone who does this professionally and can't wait to start touring in oz with our van. By the way it is going in a container as roll on roll of is too risky.

 

Thanks for this...we have found 2 specialist shippers but it was the compliance issues that we are having difficulty finding out about and conversion. We have had some horror stories, most of which are based on hearsay.

 

What will you do with yours about compliance?

[Guest WishIdneverleft]

http://www.australiatrade.com.au/Shipping/Import/vehicles.htm

 

Firstly .... Import Permit for Vehicles

You are required to obtain an import permit from the Federal Department of Infrastructure for vehicles, motor bikes or trailers

If you are going to put motor bike into a wooden/timber cradle made make sure the timber is treated timber and is stamped accordingly with ISPM 15 and that you have treatment certificate.

Secondly .... Import Duty & G.S.T

If vehicle is NZ or USA made you will NOT pay Import Duty but you have to pay G.S.T

(NZ as per C.E.R agreement signed between former prime ministers Muldoon and Frasier)

Or America under Free Trade Agreement signed off by Bush and Howard

NZ doesn't make vehicles so that sorts that out.

All other countries You will have to pay Australian Import Duty and G.S.T.

Australian Import Duty ranges from 5 % to 10 %

More for luxury vehicles

The Australian Customs Department have set the Duty Rate at 5% to 10 % and G.S.T 10% on the landed price in Australia (landed price means purchase price, ocean freight and 1/4 of 1 % for Marine Insurance even though you may not have take out insurance) ... You have a product that can be sold in Australia that's why you pay Import Duty and G.S,T to Australian Customs via us when we do the Customs Clearance.

 

For the umpteen thousand time a vehicle is not classified as Personal Effects or for Personal Use unless you have owned and used said item for more than 12 months (the magic words are owned and used so that means you have been living overseas for more than 12 months and you can show you owned and used said vehicle for more than 12 months overseas. Now having said that you have owned and used said vehicle for more than 12 months you will still pay Import Duty and G.S.T.

Thirdly .... Air-conditioning and or Refrigeration

The Australian Federal Government are still looking at ways of making money over the climate change bullshit in Copenhagen so they are going to milk you for an import permit. So they set up www.ozone.gov.au this mob will want to charge you a) A$3,000.00 for multiply items to be imported within a set time or A$400.00 for one off item. Originally everybody had R12 Gas (CFC) and then came along R134A (HCFC) now they found something that else that should be used for air-conditioning and or refrigeration.

 

We recommend you get your boat dealer or a third party who is involved in air-conditioning and or refrigeration to inspect said boat and write an inspection report on their letterhead stating NO air- conditioning or refrigeration found on this boat or said boat was degassed and said unit was removed.

 

But just let me say you will need an import permit from Ozone before we present documents to Australian Customs. Get onto this Ozone mob and get clarity before you purchase your boat.

Fourthly .... Australian Quarantine (A.Q.I.S) Wood or Timber

This is where you get smacked pretty hard with Quarantine inspection charges per 1/2 hour

You need to make sure your said vehicle (your pride and joy) arrives in Australia schmick, clean, virginal, above reproach otherwise you have moved passed the first wife who has taken you for 50 % off your hard worked assets, you didn't see the second wife (can you remember her name) she got you for 25 % and the third who is lining up for the 12.5 % .... so just to make my point A.Q.I.S is every one of those wives rolled into one .... suffice to say you should put one vacuumed packed transparent condom over your boat.

If your boat is an open boat been shipped on a flat rack, do your self a favour and get industrial strength transparent glad wrap and cover the vehicle. Why! So that any potential thief can see you've got nothing worth stealing and will not cut a hole or tear the wrapping to have a look.

When it turns up in Australia, A.Q.I.S can see that the vehicle is clean free of debris and pass your vehicle.

If you have used a tarpaulin or boat cover quite often they have been tampered with which means debris has found its way inside the boat and you will be up for wharf storage, cleaning and A.Q.I.S re-inspections

For a ball park costing try the set up costs for first term semester at University.

If your boat can be packed inside 20ft or 40ft general purpose fully enclosed container then you don't need to wrap it however if you have used timber or wood for bracing / packing and the boat has timber trim. Do yourself a favour and get the container with the vehicle inside fumigated and get it done overseas before it goes to the overseas wharf.

This will speed up the Australian quarantine clearance.

Five.... Anti Terrorism Legislation (or what we call the Shappelle Corby 4.1 ounces of marijuana legislation)

You can not go on the Australian waterfront to a) deliver your vehicle or container or b) attend customs or A.Q.I.S inspection or pick up your vehicle or container unless you have your M.I.S.C (Maritime Identification Security Card) which gets issued by A.S.I.O (Australian Security Intelligence Organisation) and A.F.P Australian Federal Police) all this for 4.1 ounces of marijuana.

You can get escorted onto the wharf by someone who has their MISC card but this is a long and convoluted process so you will have to sit this one out and realise that their are forces in the universe that don't want mankind to be responsible, thoughtful and accountable for their own actions.

If A.Q.I.S knock back your vehicle for a steam clean, fumigation, waste disposal or whatever you can expect a 3 and 1/2 week wait on the East Coast of Australia and 8 weeks in Fremantle (West Coast of Australia) . If you stay on the wharf the storage costs will take the oxygen out of your lungs, you will feel nausea and light heading as if you are climbing in the rarified air of Mount Everest .... the bottom line is you will have to pay the wharf before they release your boat or vehicle and even then you can't get on the wharf because you don't have an MISC card, talk about getting hemorrhoids.

We suggest the following alternative .... that is to get a Customs under bond entry, book a transport company who is registered with the wharf and whose drivers have their MISC cards (you will have to pay for 2 days wharf storage) and get your boat, trailer & vehicle off to one of the local bond stores who have A.Q.I.S approved wash bay facilities. The bond stores live in the real world even though your boat, trailer & vehicle will have to wait 3 and 1/2 weeks (East Coast Australia) once it's been washed you can come down for the A.Q.I.S re-inspection (bond stores operated by Patricks and P&OTA will not let in until the unit is Customs and A.Q.I.S cleared) so you need to get the fair dickum Aussie bond store operators as they seem to grasp the fact that your kids have finally left home at 28 years old and this is your baby and you want to see it as soon as possible so you can get an understanding where all your new found wealth went to (hello, I suddenly have money after all these years).

Once A.Q.I.S have signed off you will have to wait an hour or two for it come through on the ICS electronic system so you are best to go off and get a cuppa tea, coffee or something and then come back with dealer plates or road permit or your own truck so you can drive out the bond stores gate.

If you have your wits about you and the A.Q.I.S officer has his/her manual stamp you can ask the A.Q.I.S officer to stamp and sign the A.Q.I.S Direction. This is considered a manual clearance you will be required to present this to the delivery clerk at the bond store. (Note: some depots will not play the game and will ask you to wait till the clearance comes through electronically)

Sixth .... Brand New vehicles and Carnets

I have put this section in just in case someone flukes it and gets an import permit for a brand new vehicle (you would get better odds of the sun rising in the west then getting a new car into Australia as a private import)

So if you want to bring a brand new vehicle into Australia take out a carnet in the overseas country this will require you to put up a bond equal to Australia's Import Duty and GST (and Luxury Car Tax if vehicle valued over A$57,183.00) with the overseas customs department or overseas motoring organisation.It's traditionally accepted that the carnet is issued for 12 months you can get an extension often an additional 6 months. The fact remains you have to ship the vehicle out of Australia before the carnet expires.

A brand new vehicle is one that was manufactured, built and shipped out of the overseas country within 60 days.

 

The Commercial Invoice and Packing List will have to show the manufacturing or production date and our ships bill of lading or waybill will have the date the ship left the overseas port. In other words its grade 1 mathematics you subtract one from the other to establish 60 day's.

Now having a brand new vehicle is a wise choice and will make it that much easier when it comes to Quarantine inspections. A.Q.I.S will suddenly go from been your ex-wife's lawyer ie.. they will take their foot off your throat so that you actually grasp the reality that you can finally breathe and will get your vehicles within days without any more money coming out of your pocket .. hooray for small mercies.

Actually probably spoke to soon .. you will need to pay for the transport company to go into the wharf to get your vehicle (remember the Shappelle Corby 4.1 ounces of marijuana anti-terrorism legislation that basically gave the whole shipping industry (importers, exporters, custom brokers, transport, shipping, fumigation companies and insurance assessors) a paranormal headache.

Seven .... Returning Australian Vehicles

This use to be relatively routineAustralian takes car, ute, 4WD, boat on trailer or caravan or camper van or motor home and heads off to New Zealand for 6 months or more with wife, girlfriends or mates and they all have a great time and then on the trip back home to Australia all we had to do as the shipping company is write on the incoming vessels bill of lading or waybill that its a "Returning Australian Vehicle and quote the Australian Customs Export Entry Number"

How easy is that .......... but no with the down turn in global trade our public servants in Canberra came up with a way to create work for themselves by saying all Returning Australian Vehicles need to have an import permit.

Whippy doo for noddy and big ears ... so now whilst the Australian is having the time of their lives in New Zealand drinking warm beer, pulling up fish and throwing themselves off some bungee jumping tree house or skiing on the best ski fields in Australasia and coping stick about an under arm delivery from Trevor Chappell ..... they have to pull up at internet cafe and download the application for importing a motor vehicle and wait for 28 days for the import permit to be sent to their Australia residence

[Guest WishIdneverleft]

[h=3]Shipping Caravans and Trailers -documents[/h]

 

• Registration documents
  
• Purchase receipts
  

 

You may obtain free admission of a non-motorised caravan and a non-motorised box, boat or other similar trailer on the basis of one article per family per 3 years only, if you are able to satisfy the Collector of Customs at the port of entry that:

 

 

 

• You have come to Australia with the intention of forthwith taking up permanent residence
  
• The goods have been for the whole of the period of 12 months immediately preceding your departure for Australia, personally owned and used overseas.
  

N.B: People can only import caravans and trailers providing they have not imported one of same within the last 3 years.

 

http://www.movegroup.co.uk/AUSTRALIA-IMPORT-REGULATIONS.html

[troycar75]

this post has been removed

Edited July 25, 2012 by troycar75

[Chardy]

Tried it once but it sank.

 

Love to have seen that, bet it moved fast for a change ! :biglaugh:

[Paddyskip]

Thnx Troycar75 .. somewhere in there I think there's some good advice Also keen to hear from anyone who's been through the whole process! Into caravan & campervans (currently) & ideally would like to ship one into Oz when the time comes (getting closer). Anyone shed any light on how long you must have owned a caravan before you are eligible to ship it (ie:is it like a motor vehicle/bike that requires 12 mo's ownership prior to shipping?) Many thanks if you can shed any light

[troycar75]

this post has been removed

Edited July 25, 2012 by troycar75

[troycar75]

this post has been removed

Edited July 25, 2012 by troycar75

[Desprado]

Hi

We sold our Swift in the UK before we left, we looked at caravans in Oz and you need a mortgage to buy one here. We looked at different Models and they are nowhere near as luxuries as the UK built ones.

we found them very basic.

 

We were considering renting one for the last 3 months but had a shock at the rental prices it's cheaper to rent a house.

 

I know you have to have owned a car for a year in the UK before you can ship it, not sure if the same applies to Caravans!!!!

 

I personally wouldn't buy in Oz

.

Good Luck.

Edited July 18, 2012 by Desprado

[Paddyskip]

Thanks Troycar75 .. lots of information there .. will "bookmark it" & return to it when I get a chance to do some further research. Currently own a motorhome but think a caravan might be a better option to ship with us when we 'make the move'. I did come across a website that stated caravans must be owned for a 12 month period prior to shipping..? (attached below)

 

http://www.aima.com.au/customs.html

 

Have been on websites/forums looking at what UK/Euro vans are currently in Oz & also ones that parts etc are not so difficult to track down (any advice/suggestions also appreciated!)

 

Cheers

[Paddyskip]

p.s. Forgot to mention .. I also read that 'RORO' is not the best option for shipping caravans?

 

Cheers

[rachall]

Hi paddyskip

I too have heard horror stories about roro ie damage,stealing from them as the vans have to be left unlocked etc and that's from the companies that ship them. Our 26 ft twin axle is going in a container for just under 4 grand, worth the peace of mind.

[troycar75]

this post has been removed

Edited July 25, 2012 by troycar75

[judith501]

we had a lovely van in uk 5 berth - suited us well, sold it for just over £1,000 and it was great really good condition. we started to look for vans when we got here and were astonished at how expensive a van is here in same condition and size of ours average price about £12,000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you can go through all the hassle of conevrsion and papers etc bring it over

[Paddyskip]

Thanks again for the info Troycar75.. certainly much to consider!

 

Hi Rachall.. good luck with your van/container! I notice you say it's a twin axle .. did/does that influence either the cost of shipping or the container that it fits into.. or has it more to do with the actual length of the van (not looking to replace our campervan with anything bigger than a 26ft/6m van in any case!) Does the £4k figure cover just the van or does that include other contents to go in the container? (also ..can you ship anything inside the van or does it need to be empty?)

 

My sister actually shipped her car over from Oz a number of years ago & had it full of possessions .. suspect though customs in Ireland operate differently from Oz?!

 

In any event it would be good to hear how you get on.. lotsa luck!

 

Cheers!

[Sir Les Patterson]

Why don't you just fly one out :biggrin:

[Metoo]

Anyone shed any light on how long you must have owned a caravan before you are eligible to ship it (ie:is it like a motor vehicle/bike that requires 12 mo's ownership prior to shipping?) Many thanks if you can shed any light

 

My understanding is that a caravan is classed as personal effects and does not require the 12 month ownership requirement.

 

i may be wrong on this as I have just read the link provided earlier, but I have definately read this somewhere on an official website, but my personal experience with Australian customs is that they make it up as they go along.

Edited October 27, 2012 by Metoo

[Mrmover]

A caravan can go into a forty foot high cube container as long as it is narrower than 89 inches and no taller than 99 inches this would fit with around 800 ft of personal and household effects walled up at the front of the container. I have done this many times for all the major shippers and with regard to compilance you would need to apply for vehicle approval same as a car. Cost for the whole job should be around 6 k door to door for the effects and collect the caravan at depot.