Taking a car to Melbourne

[JTA]

Hi

 

My husband has accepted a job in Melbourne and our visas are being applied for by the company's migration agent. My husband has been offered a relocation package to include our household goods and car (though we know if we take the car we will have to subsidise this). At this point, we are trying to work out if it is cost effective to take our car.

 

Can anyone advise on companies to transport the car from the North East of England to Melbourne? I'm also looking for at least a ball park total figure to include import costs at the port in Melbourne, Australian compliance and on road costs of car registration in Victoria. I've tried a few companies, but to date I don't seem to be able to get a clear answer.

 

We've a 2003 Mercedes E320 which we've owned for 5 and a half years (wish we had of changed it last year!). It's 3 x the price in Australia and is a good car that we've looked after hence the reason why we are considering bringing it (that and the fact its been included in the relocation package!).

 

Also, we've a baby on the way and we have a UK car seat (Mama's and Papa's primo viaggio) which has an isofix system but unfortunately our car isn't fitted with a compatible system to take the isofix base. Is this a problem?

 

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. THANK YOU!

[pablo]

Too thick for cutting and pasting lol,so ive just bumped a thread up,Iron Chef will advise you if you post on there JTA,welcome to PIO btw

[JTA]

Thank you very much Pablo. I'm a complete novice at forums myself! I tried Iron Lady Imports who were very helpful to begin with but I've not heard anything from them in response to my last email over a week ago.

[pablo]

Thank you very much Pablo. I'm a complete novice at forums myself! I tried Iron Lady Imports who were very helpful to begin with but I've not heard anything from them in response to my last email over a week ago.

 

Ahhhh ok,well hopefully you will hear soon J,i was new to forums before i joined pio,giving me a computer was like giving a monkey a clock,a complete waste of time,but you soon find your way around,good luck with everything,hope it all works out for you girl

[Emma132]

:wacko:I found it really difficult to find info too. We were going to ship both of our cars to Melbourne when we go in July but then found that it just wasn't worth the cost. If it's subsidised for you it might be worth it.

We were quoted an extra £2000 for one car (if it was going in a 20ft container with our furniture) and then another £1200 if were taking 2 cars (40ft container). This seems worth it until you add up the costs below. Also I have read a few reports that imports are more difficult to insure and I also read that they are worth less when you sell as people are more wary of imports - how accurate that is I don't know.

We considered taking one car that we really wanted to keep but at around £5,750 to ship/import and without an idea of insurance costs we've decided to sell in the UK and buy when we get there.

The following are additional fixed costs in Australia:

Import Permit $50

Quarantine Inspection $300

Steam clean car $500 (apparently most cars they insist on steam cleaning so not worth having in done before hand in the UK)

MOT and registration $1100

Import taxes are:

5% import duty on the value of your car plus how much you spent shipping it. http://www.redbook.com.au/ can give you an estimate on the value.

PLUS

10% GST (goods and services tax) on the value of your car plus how much you spent shipping it.

 

The following might be useful to you:

http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page4371.asp#duty

http://www.daff.gov.au/biosecurity/import/vehicles-machinery/motor-vehicles

 

Good luck!