Transporting your car to Oz - everything you need to know!

[chandi]

Hey Iron Chef, Thanks a lot for the quick replies!

 

Ok, I'm having to make a few assumptions about your circumstances, but here goes...

 

1. I'm very sure about it - if your wife is away from the car for 3 months, that time will not be part of her 12-month qualifying period. She must be in the same country as the car and provide evidence that she has been driving around in it.

 

 

 

This (quite unforeseen) issue pretty much ruins the plan for us, so I rang DIT to find out more. Firstly, you were spot on about it, but when I insisted that there web explanations/examples do not necessarily suggest so (*), thay asked me to quote that in my application. (I wouldn't be placing any bets on that working out right though)

 

Alternatively, we could switch cars when we apply (no problem as long as we have a marriage certificate), and my wife could claim 12 months for the Z4 we had from last year. This is probably what I would do, but would still love to have them go easy on short visits overseas as I may be away for 2-3wks when our baby comes (perfectly reasonable excuse imho!).

 

Must say that DIT seemed an ok place to call and discuss your situation, and they're much amiable than, say, centrelink! Of course, not a substitute for insider info from Iron Chef though.

 

(*)

http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/importing_vehicles/general/EligibilityCriteria_2.aspx#five

Ex1: The applicant qualifies under the Personal Imports Scheme to import the car into Australia, despite the infrequent use of the vehicle in the U.S.

[chandi]

Personal imports will almost certainly be revalued once they arrive in Australia. The method for calculating customs value is fairly convoluted, but it's generally a good deal lower than the market value.

 

 

 

This is another tricky one. On the one hand, customs.gov.au says "transaction value" (purchase price) is the first priority in determining the value of goods. Howvever, it is apparently not used when "The importer cannot demonstrate that the purchase took place for the sole purpose of exporting the road vehicle to Australia, an example to illustrate this is when the exported road vehicle has been used overseas prior to making the decision to export it to Australia".

 

While this is generally reasonable, time usually devalues vehicles, thus using a purchase price from an year earlier only makes it unfair by the importer. If the importer does not mind this, replacing this value with an even higher one sounds a bit absurd. I checked this with a friend who did a personal import from Japan 3-4yrs ago, who says he used a 5yr old invoice at the time. No questions asked.

 

Is customs getting harder to deal with recently too? Common sense says a very low invoice might raise some eyebrows. I'd hope a reasonable invoice would pass safely and we wouldn't have to pay for an 'expert' (and almost certainly higher) appraisal.

 

http://www.customs.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/ValuationImportedRoadVehicles.pdf

[Guest RICKRANK]

Hi,

 

Thanks for this useful info, however there appears to be a few forms that needs to be submitted, and so your clarification would be great if you can help. Given different forms from shipping agency!

 

I am going to come over to Perth on a 457 sponsored Visa with the view to apply for permanent residency after a couple of years. (We have owned our vehicle for 4 years, & it is 4.5 years old).

Does the permanent residency have to be applied for sooner?

 

Which is the form that requires completion is it;

* 'Application for a personally imported vehicle'

or

* 'Application for approval to import a vehicle'

 

Hope you can help!!

 

Rick

 

[Iron Chef]

Thanks for your quick reply , am i being stupid what do you mean by If you're not overly fussed about it, you can still look around for something with potentially more profit and still squeeze in your 12 month qualifying period.:confused:

To be honest my oh wants to bring the car over as he seems to think it will save us in the long run, all in all what is the cost of all this were not sure what size container we will need . Ive read in so many posts in how expensive second cars are over there. I rbr reading one of your posts that we had to send all our passport pages in , dose this mean we would not be able to go on holiday before we come to oz . As we have to prove we have been using the car in this 12 month period .

 

So sorry for all the questions :swoon:

 

susan x

 

That's fine then, feel free to bring it over if it is serving you well in the UK, I doubt servicing or parts will be an issue here. You will have already met the 12 month qualifying period by the time you take your holiday, so it won't be a problem for importing.

 

Hey Iron Chef, Thanks a lot for the quick replies!

 

This (quite unforeseen) issue pretty much ruins the plan for us, so I rang DIT to find out more. Firstly, you were spot on about it, but when I insisted that there web explanations/examples do not necessarily suggest so (*), thay asked me to quote that in my application. (I wouldn't be placing any bets on that working out right though)

 

Alternatively, we could switch cars when we apply (no problem as long as we have a marriage certificate), and my wife could claim 12 months for the Z4 we had from last year. This is probably what I would do, but would still love to have them go easy on short visits overseas as I may be away for 2-3wks when our baby comes (perfectly reasonable excuse imho!).

 

Must say that DIT seemed an ok place to call and discuss your situation, and they're much amiable than, say, centrelink! Of course, not a substitute for insider info from Iron Chef though.

 

(*)

http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/importing_vehicles/general/EligibilityCriteria_2.aspx#five

Ex1: The applicant qualifies under the Personal Imports Scheme to import the car into Australia, despite the infrequent use of the vehicle in the U.S.

 

Note in example one that the owner had owned the car for 18 months? They don't say it on the site, but they basically add the time spent abroad on to the 12 month qualifying period. So in the case of the US pilot, he would've needed to be back in the US for 12 months in total since he purchased the car before he was eligible to bring the car over.

 

This is another tricky one. On the one hand, customs.gov.au says "transaction value" (purchase price) is the first priority in determining the value of goods. Howvever, it is apparently not used when "The importer cannot demonstrate that the purchase took place for the sole purpose of exporting the road vehicle to Australia, an example to illustrate this is when the exported road vehicle has been used overseas prior to making the decision to export it to Australia".

 

While this is generally reasonable, time usually devalues vehicles, thus using a purchase price from an year earlier only makes it unfair by the importer. If the importer does not mind this, replacing this value with an even higher one sounds a bit absurd. I checked this with a friend who did a personal import from Japan 3-4yrs ago, who says he used a 5yr old invoice at the time. No questions asked.

 

Is customs getting harder to deal with recently too? Common sense says a very low invoice might raise some eyebrows. I'd hope a reasonable invoice would pass safely and we wouldn't have to pay for an 'expert' (and almost certainly higher) appraisal.

 

http://www.customs.gov.au/webdata/resources/files/ValuationImportedRoadVehicles.pdf

 

For personal imports these days, Customs will ALWAYS request an independent valuation. It's the fairest method for all concerned. For what it's worth, an independent valuation generally comes in a good deal below the market value - if they didn't they'd never get any work

 

Hi,

 

Thanks for this useful info, however there appears to be a few forms that needs to be submitted, and so your clarification would be great if you can help. Given different forms from shipping agency!

 

I am going to come over to Perth on a 457 sponsored Visa with the view to apply for permanent residency after a couple of years. (We have owned our vehicle for 4 years, & it is 4.5 years old).

Does the permanent residency have to be applied for sooner?

 

Which is the form that requires completion is it;

* 'Application for a personally imported vehicle'

or

* 'Application for approval to import a vehicle'

 

Hope you can help!!

 

Rick

 

 

 

Hi Rick, you need the personally imported vehicle form - it'll have Personal_Import_Application_1109.doc or words to that effect as the file name.

 

You can apply to bring your car over on a 457, just make sure you do it before you leave or with in 6 months of arriving here.

[chandi]

 

For personal imports these days, Customs will ALWAYS request an independent valuation. It's the fairest method for all concerned. For what it's worth, an independent valuation generally comes in a good deal below the market value - if they didn't they'd never get any work

 

Aha! I guess I'd have to do some research on these 'experts' when the time comes. Thanks again for enlightening me in time!

 

 

 

Note in example one that the owner had owned the car for 18 months? They don't say it on the site, but they basically add the time spent abroad on to the 12 month qualifying period. So in the case of the US pilot, he would've needed to be back in the US for 12 months in total since he purchased the car before he was eligible to bring the car over.

 

 

 

Yeah, I totally get that. That's why I am not going to bet much on that. However, if one wishes to challenge them (I don't think I am), I believe there is considerable legal ground, as this is a hypothetical example meant for enlightening importers and thus should have been unambiguous.

ie. they should have explicitly stated the pilot was in the US for a total of 12 months.

"Infrequent use" doesn't suggest 12/18 AND "despite" implies they don't even care how infrequent.

 

btw, US immigration doesn't stamp the passport at departure last time I checked. 'wonder how they get around that.

[Iron Chef]

Yeah I've always wondered what DIT are making of the new electronic passport system where nothing is actually stamped in them...

[Guest jayceedee]

Anyone used shippit.co.uk for their car? They have a load of other domain names that effectively point to the same site.

 

I have got the go-ahead from the the department of transport to ship my car and I was all set to arrange it with these guys, however, I did a quick google and found a very bad review for them. OK, one bad review, how many good ones? But I'm suspicious now.

 

They seem very friendly and helpful over email but I'm not going let my baby go anywhere unless I'm 100% sure they're going to look after it. I'm shipping it from Dublin, so there's an extra leg to go (unless I go with an Irish company, which are mostly rip-offs)

[Iron Chef]

It might be best to ask your question as a separate thread in this section, you probably won't get any replies in here as this is more for prospective shippers than those who've already done it.

 

It's probably worth pointing out that being a shipping company is a bit like being a football ref - if you do your job right, nobody notices you. Make a mistake, and they'll complain about you for years

[Guest jayceedee]

Thanks, I'll do just that !

[Guest dazzandkim]

Hi I have a Yamaha R1 which I have owned for the last 3 years, I have looked into bringing it with me to Perth in August.

I understand the application process in the application for bring the bike into Australia but do we need the following too?

Applicants may substantiate an intention to remain in Australia indefinitely, by establishing:

• your employment details, such as a letter from your Australian employer;

• a rental agreement / purchase agreement for your residential property in Australia;

• the shipment of your household goods to Australia;

• the enrolment of your children in an Australian school;

• your Australian telephone / electricity accounts;

• the sale of your residential property in your former country of residence;

• the cancellation of your residential rental property in your former country of residence; and

• your resignation from employment in your former country of residence.

 

In addition, foreign citizens settling in Australia may substantiate an intention to remain in Australia

indefinitely, by providing evidence that they have:

• applied for an Australian Tax File Number;

• registered with Medicare;

• applied for Australian medical insurance;

• applied to open an Australian bank account; and

• applied for an Australian driver’s licence.

Importing Vehicles to Australia – Information Brochure (VSB10) 18

 

Regards

 

Andy

[Iron Chef]

Hi Andy - yes the process for personally importing cars is the same for bikes, so you'd need to provide the same evidence you've listed above (or some of it, in the case of the second list).

 

The good news for you, however, is that your bike (presuming it was built post-2006) is eligible for unrestricted import to Australia. The upside is that you can bypass all the personal import rigmarole and get someone else to apply for the import approval for you. The down side is that the company that complies your bike for Australia is in Melbourne. If you want more info, email me.

[grainne73]

Hi Andy - yes the process for personally importing cars is the same for bikes, so you'd need to provide the same evidence you've listed above (or some of it, in the case of the second list).

 

The good news for you, however, is that your bike (presuming it was built post-2006) is eligible for unrestricted import to Australia. The upside is that you can bypass all the personal import rigmarole and get someone else to apply for the import approval for you. The down side is that the company that complies your bike for Australia is in Melbourne. If you want more info, email me.

 

Hi Iron Chef

 

Just received our approval yesterday for 2003 BMW Adventurer , but was just wondering what you meant by 'unrestricted import for pre 2006?? I'm doing the p0aperwork for OH so just hoping I didnt miss something??

 

 

thnaks

grainne

[TheTillins]

Get the feeling I'm on a hiding to nothing with this one but here goes:

 

I own two cars - a specialist kit car (not on the RAWS scheme list) and a Porsche 911 Carrera S. I meet the qualifying period criteria for both cars but they are both in my name. My wife is a named driver on the 911 and uses it regularly. We will be emigrating on a 457 VISA in October (only 3 months away).

 

Some threads say the import regs are more relaxed for spouses bringing a partners car in. I cant believe this reading all the forms and rules.

 

Any chance you can clarify?

 

Only other option is to see if I can get a Certificate of Conformity from Porsche Australia for the UK spec 911.

 

Many thanks,

 

Adrian

[Iron Chef]

Hi Iron Chef

 

Just received our approval yesterday for 2003 BMW Adventurer , but was just wondering what you meant by 'unrestricted import for pre 2006?? I'm doing the p0aperwork for OH so just hoping I didnt miss something??

 

 

thnaks

grainne

 

If you have your approval then there's nothing at all to worry about DIT keep a list of certain bikes that are allowed in as "unrestricted used bikes" which makes it easier in some cases to import a bike, but it's of no consequence to you now you have your approval. I'm gonna start a separate thread for bikes at some point...

 

Get the feeling I'm on a hiding to nothing with this one but here goes:

 

I own two cars - a specialist kit car (not on the RAWS scheme list) and a Porsche 911 Carrera S. I meet the qualifying period criteria for both cars but they are both in my name. My wife is a named driver on the 911 and uses it regularly. We will be emigrating on a 457 VISA in October (only 3 months away).

 

Some threads say the import regs are more relaxed for spouses bringing a partners car in. I cant believe this reading all the forms and rules.

 

Any chance you can clarify?

 

Only other option is to see if I can get a Certificate of Conformity from Porsche Australia for the UK spec 911.

 

Many thanks,

 

Adrian

 

Hi Adrian, you have a snowflake's chance in hell of getting a certificate of compliance from Porsche - they will laugh and slam the door in your face.

 

I doubt you'll have any issues with your wife applying for it under her name though, presuming she also has a 457. She will just need to prove that she uses it regularly.

 

The other avenue worth investigating is that there are some provisions for individually constructed vehicles (ICVs) in the importing process, so that might be an option for your kit car (best to seek clarification from DIT on that one though).

[Guest beck72]

Hi, can you clarify for me before I attempt to apply for an import license

 

We are moving to Perth in September on a 457 visa, I have a Mini Cooper 07 which I really want to bring with me, I have had shipping costs etc. and all stacks up well - the problem is that by the time the car will leave we will have only owned it for 4/5 months - I've read that there is a 12 month ownership rule, is this at all flexible? is there any other way around importing it to get around this problem? we bought the car before the move to Aus came about and can prove that with job offer letters, etc.,

 

Hoping you can help

 

Thanks

Beck

[TheTillins]

If you have your approval then there's nothing at all to worry about DIT keep a list of certain bikes that are allowed in as "unrestricted used bikes" which makes it easier in some cases to import a bike, but it's of no consequence to you now you have your approval. I'm gonna start a separate thread for bikes at some point...

 

 

 

Hi Adrian, you have a snowflake's chance in hell of getting a certificate of compliance from Porsche - they will laugh and slam the door in your face.

 

I doubt you'll have any issues with your wife applying for it under her name though, presuming she also has a 457. She will just need to prove that she uses it regularly.

 

The other avenue worth investigating is that there are some provisions for individually constructed vehicles (ICVs) in the importing process, so that might be an option for your kit car (best to seek clarification from DIT on that one though).

 

Terrific reply - thanks. I will pursue the ICV route with DIT. My wife does not have a separate 457 - she is coming into Oz on my employer sponsored one. I'll also take a look at your website.

 

Cheers,

 

Adrian

[Iron Chef]

Hi, can you clarify for me before I attempt to apply for an import license

 

We are moving to Perth in September on a 457 visa, I have a Mini Cooper 07 which I really want to bring with me, I have had shipping costs etc. and all stacks up well - the problem is that by the time the car will leave we will have only owned it for 4/5 months - I've read that there is a 12 month ownership rule, is this at all flexible? is there any other way around importing it to get around this problem? we bought the car before the move to Aus came about and can prove that with job offer letters, etc.,

 

Hoping you can help

 

Thanks

Beck

 

Hi Beck - it's best you hear this from me than from DIT - you've go no chance of bringing it over if you haven't owned it for 12 months, and your circumstances will not make a scrap of difference in this instance. Sorry to be the party pooper...

 

Terrific reply - thanks. I will pursue the ICV route with DIT. My wife does not have a separate 457 - she is coming into Oz on my employer sponsored one. I'll also take a look at your website.

 

Cheers,

 

Adrian

 

There's not a lot to look at on my site regarding personal imports at the moment, sorry, still getting it up and running!

[Guest allieanddermo]

Hi Iron Chef,

Do you know what the procedure is for bringing an Australian Vehicle back to Australia is Please?

We brought our Honda Odyssey back to Irl in 2009 and we are now returning to Oz. The car is worthless here because of the size of the engine so we will bring it back and drive it for a few more yrs to get our moneys worth??

Thanks for your help

 

Allie

[Iron Chef]

Hi Allie - everything is explained in the first post of this thread, or if you'd like my assistance with bringing it back to Oz, then feel free to PM me.

[TheTillins]

Hi Beck - it's best you hear this from me than from DIT - you've go no chance of bringing it over if you haven't owned it for 12 months, and your circumstances will not make a scrap of difference in this instance. Sorry to be the party pooper...

 

 

 

There's not a lot to look at on my site regarding personal imports at the moment, sorry, still getting it up and running!

 

 

Now the 911 import looks a goer, here's another question if I may. Regarding Customs Duty and GST, how do the authorities calculate the value? Is it market value in the UK or is it based on the value of the car in $AUD in which case luxury car tax applies?

 

Cheers Adrian

[Iron Chef]

Hi Adrian, I remembered I'd written some stuff about customs value vs market value but it was buried deep inside this thread, so I've copied-and-pasted it into the first post along with most other important stuff.

[Guest]

what is the difference of a personal import when you move or just importing a vehicle years later when you live there?

[jenpen87]

Hi thinking of buying a car in the UK to take to Oz due to high car prices there. What kinds of cars would you recommend in terms of popularity in oz, ease of getting car parts and car resale.

 

Cheers:cute:

[TheTillins]

Hi Adrian, I remembered I'd written some stuff about customs value vs market value but it was buried deep inside this thread, so I've copied-and-pasted it into the first post along with most other important stuff.

 

Excellent news (sort of) - lots of tax to pay but at least its on the value of the car in the UK not in Oz. Incidentally, I heard back from DIT on ICV. ICV is a registration issue (state by state). It does not relate to the import process. For post-89 cars, it's still just 3 routes - Personal Import, Certificate of Conformity or RAWS.

 

Adrian

[Iron Chef]

what is the difference of a personal import when you move or just importing a vehicle years later when you live there?

 

I think I mentioned this elsewhere, but people were exploiting a loophole in the legislation that allowed them to bring in cars they'd supposedly owned and used for 12 months up to about 6 years after they'd moved permanently to Australia.

 

They got caught out when some criminal mastermind provided paperwork to show that they'd owned a BMW for 12 months in 2006 - problem was the car was a 2008 model...

 

So now you only have 6 months after you arrive in Australia to apply for your vehicle to come over here.

 

Sorry I misread you a bit, personal importing means you can bring in any car you like - Australia doesn't have 'open slather' importing regs like the UK, we're very restricted on what makes and models can be imported through non-official channels. So there are many cars where getting them in via a personal import is the ONLY way we'll see that particular car on our shores - Subaru Impreza 22B is a classic example.

 

Hi thinking of buying a car in the UK to take to Oz due to high car prices there. What kinds of cars would you recommend in terms of popularity in oz, ease of getting car parts and car resale.

 

Cheers:cute:

 

You better give me a budget unless you want me to suggest a Porsche :wink:

 

Excellent news (sort of) - lots of tax to pay but at least its on the value of the car in the UK not in Oz. Incidentally, I heard back from DIT on ICV. ICV is a registration issue (state by state). It does not relate to the import process. For post-89 cars, it's still just 3 routes - Personal Import, Certificate of Conformity or RAWS.

 

Adrian

 

If you wanted to be creative about it, you could dismantle it and bring it in as parts, then reassemble it as an ICV here.