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

[teamv]

Hi were hopeing to be moving to adelaide next year ,i'm wanting to take my landrover discovery over ,but i'm also wanting to take an old lambretta as well ,its a 1959,will the scooter be straight forward ,thanks Kev.We may even take a sprinter van as the prices in oz just seem crazy and I deal in vans in the uk.

[163ALLOUT]

Hi Iron Chef

 

Thanks for this thread your a star mate.

I'm coming over later this year on a 163 business class visa.

When I arrive I would have owned my car for about 10 months.

It's a BMW 335I Auto sports. It's 4 years old and according to the red book the bottom trade in is $51k ranging up to $64k private. I reckon I'd only get about £13/14k in the UK.

My 163 allows me to come and go for 4 years etc

 

1) Do you think I might sneak past the 12months if I leave it in uk for a couple of months before I import

2) Do you reckon it's worth it cost wise

 

Thanks for any help

 

Jon

[Iron Chef]

Hi were hopeing to be moving to adelaide next year ,i'm wanting to take my landrover discovery over ,but i'm also wanting to take an old lambretta as well ,its a 1959,will the scooter be straight forward ,thanks Kev.We may even take a sprinter van as the prices in oz just seem crazy and I deal in vans in the uk.

 

If the Disco is a recent model it's probably worth looking at bringing it over, but I wouldn't bother with an early one, to be honest - they don't exactly have a good reputation for reliability over here, and as a result, their resale values are pretty poor. I know a good Land Rover specialist here though The Lambretta will be no problems at all to import. You'd need to show you'd owned and used the Sprinter for 12 months before you'd be eligible to bring it in.

 

Hi Iron Chef

 

Thanks for this thread your a star mate.

I'm coming over later this year on a 163 business class visa.

When I arrive I would have owned my car for about 10 months.

It's a BMW 335I Auto sports. It's 4 years old and according to the red book the bottom trade in is $51k ranging up to $64k private. I reckon I'd only get about £13/14k in the UK.

My 163 allows me to come and go for 4 years etc

 

1) Do you think I might sneak past the 12months if I leave it in uk for a couple of months before I import

2) Do you reckon it's worth it cost wise

 

Thanks for any help

 

Jon

 

Hi Jon,

 

Well it's worth it cost-wise, but you'll need to own AND use it for 12 months - for obvious reasons, you're gonna have a hard time convincing the DIT that you've been driving it for 12 months if you're not in the same country as the car

 

You'd need to either stay another two months before you leave, or you'll qualify if you head back over there for a long holiday at some time during your stay in Australia.

[AC68]

Hi Chef,

as my wife and I have not had our current cars for 12 months and I have just been offered a sponsored 457 visa, is there any other way of importing them and would it be cost effective?

 

My wifes car is an 05 Mercedes SLK55 AMG with 35000 miles on it and mine is a 95 Lexus LS400.

 

Cheers,

 

Andy

[Iron Chef]

Hi Andy,

 

Unfortunately not - the only way to bring them in would be to own them for 12 months before you leave. If you're close, it might be worth waiting for the Merc to hit 12 months, but I doubt it would be worth bringing the Lexus over, but it depends on what it will fetch over there, I guess.

[AC68]

Hi Andy,

 

Unfortunately not - the only way to bring them in would be to own them for 12 months before you leave. If you're close, it might be worth waiting for the Merc to hit 12 months, but I doubt it would be worth bringing the Lexus over, but it depends on what it will fetch over there, I guess.

 

Thanks for that Kristian,

 

I know the Lex is not worth a fantastic amount but I would only want to buy another when I get there so I would rather take it with me as a known quantity rather than buy another out there.:rolleyes:

 

As for the Merc, we really do want to take that with us as there is no way we could afford one over there.

 

Cheers,

 

Andy

[Guest janeymcp]

Hi

we too have a dilemma! coming to Qld on a 176 visa and we have a BMW X5 3.0 d sport late 2005. Have had the car for several years so we know the history and am wondering whether we should bring or leave? we understand that there is a stigma to UK imports, also not sure if servicing etc is relatively more expensive over there?

UK valuation is £13950 (AUS$22000 ) would appreciate any advice?

 

cheers

chris

[Guest emasnwy]

Hi Kristian,

we`re hopeing to take our 2008 Reno grande Espace 2.0dci too Perth we`ve had it over a year..just wondering about the import tax,we payed about £14,000,40,000miles on clock.Who do we get to value the car, to pay the import tax.Hoping to get a 40ft container for the car and house stuff...you know any good company for this..

many thank Dave :wacko:

[Guest Hetty]

Hi guys,

 

I thought I should join up and contribute seeing a few members from here have now been in contact with me regarding importing, and given that many of you seem to be asking the same questions, I thought it best to jump on and keep everything in the one spot so it can be discussed. So here are the FAQs related to bringing your car with you to Australia as a personal import

 

1. Firstly the relevant legislation (abridged to suit PIO members):

 

The Personal Imports Scheme allows migrants settling in Australia, to bring their personal vehicles with them.

 

The Personal Imports Scheme is outlined at regulation 13 of the Motor Vehicle Standards Regulations 1989. Mandatory criteria apply under the scheme. These criteria are outlined below. The criteria are strictly enforced. If you fail to meet the criteria, you will not be eligible to import a vehicle under the scheme.

 

Criteria, ownership of the vehicle

Applicants must satisfy each of the following ownership requirements. You must:

• own the vehicle when submitting the application; and

• have acquired ownership of the vehicle from overseas; and

• have owned the vehicle while overseas; and

• have owned the vehicle for a continuous period of at least 12 months. This is the “qualifying period”.

The qualifying period must have occurred immediately before you (permanently) arrived in Australia.

 

Criteria, use of the vehicle

The vehicle must have been available to you for use in transport. This means that the vehicle must have been available to be driven by you, at all times during the 12 month qualifying period. The vehicle should be registered (in your name) and garaged (proximate to your residence) throughout the 12 month qualifying period, so that you could, if needed, drive the vehicle. In addition, you must have held an appropriate licence to drive the vehicle overseas.

 

Criteria, citizenship and visa requirements

Applicants must fall into one of the following categories. You must:

• have applied to become an Australian citizen; or

• be an Australian permanent resident (eg, hold a permanent visa); or

• have applied to become an Australian permanent resident (eg, applied for a permanent visa); or

• hold a visa that allows you to apply to become an Australian permanent resident (eg, hold a temporary visa that allows you to apply for a permanent visa)

 

In addition, applicants must intend to change their residence. Applicants must have been resident in a foreign country (throughout the qualifying period of 12 months’ ownership and use of the vehicle) but now intend to become Australian residents on a permanent basis and remain in Australia indefinitely.

 

Documents to be provided by the applicant

To apply for a vehicle import approval under the Personal Imports Scheme, you should provide the following (to the Department) in the first instance:

• a completed Application for a Personally Imported Vehicle;

• the application fee – $50 Australian dollars, by cheque, money order or credit card (MasterCard or Visa only). If paying by cheque from overseas, please seek advice from your bank on the correct procedure;

• a copy of your driver’s licence;

• a copy of the purchase documents for the vehicle, in your name;

• a copy of the registration documents for the vehicle (for the qualifying period), in your name;

• a statement of travel. The statement of travel is prepared by you, and itemises any international travel you undertook during the qualifying period. In particular, the statement sets out any absences from your country of residence. If travel was for business reasons, you should supply a letter to that effect from your employer; and

• a copy of your passport (this includes a copy of every page, including blank pages). If you hold dual passports, you should produce a copy of both passports.

 

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

 

These lists are a guide. You may also be required to provide further evidence, including:

• a copy of insurance documents for the vehicle;

• copies of other documents that support your purchase of the vehicle (such as bank statements,

receipts from vendors); and

• copies of other documents that show you used the vehicle (such as receipts for any maintenance orrepairs made to the vehicle).

 

You may be required to submit original documentation (not photocopies) to confirm eligibility under the scheme.

 

Form to use for applying for a Personal Import

 

http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/importing_vehicles/general/doc/Personal_Import_Application_1109.doc

 

or

 

http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/importing_vehicles/general/pdf/Personal_Import_Application_1109.pdf

 

All Import-related information is in here, if you'd like more info:

 

Importing Vehicles to Australia - General Information

 

Hi Iron Chef

 

that information is really useful.

 

Iis there any way we can import 2 cars and 1 motorbike? We will have a residents visa. We fulfil all of the import requirements but understand that we can only import 1 vehicle each as a personal import.

Also can you verify if we would need to pay 4% tax on regsitration of each vehicle in Australia? We'd banked on all of the import taxes but have only just found out about this other tax.

Also is this registration tax just for cars/motorbikes etc or do the government also hammer you on other imports eg sailing boats?

 

Thanks

 

Ali and Chris

[Guest homes]

Hi all, had a quote from a shipping co, BUTare there any hidden costs when the car gets to oz , trying to work out if its worth taking it , already got import approval,

[Iron Chef]

I go away for a few days and look what happens! haha

 

Hi

we too have a dilemma! coming to Qld on a 176 visa and we have a BMW X5 3.0 d sport late 2005. Have had the car for several years so we know the history and am wondering whether we should bring or leave? we understand that there is a stigma to UK imports, also not sure if servicing etc is relatively more expensive over there?

UK valuation is £13950 (AUS$22000 ) would appreciate any advice?

 

cheers

chris

 

Hi Chris, it depends on the mileage a bit, but I'd say it's still worth bringing over, particularly if you plan on using it here for a while. The mechanics at BMW dealerships here all wear Rolexes paid for by their customers, but there are plenty of other places that can service your car using genuine parts for much less than what BMW charge.

 

Hi Kristian,

we`re hopeing to take our 2008 Reno grande Espace 2.0dci too Perth we`ve had it over a year..just wondering about the import tax,we payed about £14,000,40,000miles on clock.Who do we get to value the car, to pay the import tax.Hoping to get a 40ft container for the car and house stuff...you know any good company for this..

many thank Dave :wacko:

 

Hi Dave,

 

The Espace isn't sold in Australia, so unless you really love it and plan on running it till it falls apart, it's probably not worth bringing over. A Renault dealer may be able to help you source parts, but it will still be a struggle getting just basic service work done, let alone anything major. In the trade, your car would be termed an orphan. It may appeal to a Renault diehard when the time comes to sell, but in all honesty, I think it will give you much less grief in the long run if you sell it before you leave.

 

Hi Iron Chef

 

that information is really useful.

 

Iis there any way we can import 2 cars and 1 motorbike? We will have a residents visa. We fulfil all of the import requirements but understand that we can only import 1 vehicle each as a personal import.

Also can you verify if we would need to pay 4% tax on regsitration of each vehicle in Australia? We'd banked on all of the import taxes but have only just found out about this other tax.

Also is this registration tax just for cars/motorbikes etc or do the government also hammer you on other imports eg sailing boats?

 

Thanks

 

Ali and Chris

 

Hi guys,

 

The only way you could import more than one vehicle each would be if one of them can be brought in under a different scheme to the PIS, say if it's older than 1989 for example.

 

And yes, state stamp duty varies from state to state slightly, but work on 4% of the vehicle's value (more on this in my next post). We get shafted on taxes with personal imports, everyone likes to get our money...

 

Boats are also subject to registration costs, but, not being a boatie myself, I'm not sure if they also charge state stamp duty on boats freshly imported.

 

Hi all, had a quote from a shipping co, BUTare there any hidden costs when the car gets to oz , trying to work out if its worth taking it , already got import approval,

 

Allow about $500AUD for the myriad miscellaneous charges at the docks at this end, possibly a touch more if your car needs steam cleaning.

[Iron Chef]

Market value vs customs value -

 

For personal imports, cars are generally valued independently once they arrive in Australia. This is done by a licenced valuer, at a cost of $200 or so (nice work if you can get it!).

 

There is a good reason for this - if you paid $50,000 for your car and had owned it for 5 years, it would be unfair to tax you on the original purchase price. So it makes sense.

 

The valuer is required to provide a customs value, not a market value. In virtually every case, the customs value is a much lower figure than market value.

 

Just for fun, I'll do a hypothetical scenario with a 2007 Jaguar XK convertible, purchased new by whoever is bringing it in.

 

Market value for one sold new in Australia is now $105,000-115,000AUD

 

Customs value (I'm no expert at this, but I know these are the rough figures used for depreciation!)

 

Purchase cost - £69,900 ($158,000 AUD based on an exchange rate of 1AUD=44p back in 2007)

 

Three years' depreciation at 22% per year brings the value down to $75389, THEN another 20% approx is reduced to take into consideration an imported vehicle being worth less than its equivalent locally sold model in Australia.

 

Customs value is $60,311.

 

Like I said, don't quote me on those percentages I've used, but they're in the right ball park, which should help some of you with your calculations for taxes and customs duty.

[Guest homes]

thanks for the info iron chef, you can bet it will need steam cleaning.(clean money ) how about packing personal items in the car.

 

many thanks

homes

[Guest Thenry]

Hi Mr Ironman oops Iron Chef

 

I will be going to Sydney hopefully around April/May 2011, I plan to take all my belongings including my car. I have done much reading but need a little help processing all the info, my brains are too small....

I have a 2003 top spec Volvo XC90 D5 which i want to import but on checking the Redbook site it appears there are no Diesel versions of the XC90 in earlier models. I know they do sell D5's now probably from 2007 models onwards.

Its current value now is approx £8-9K, will i have a problem in getting it over, is it worth it??

 

Thanks

Henry

[Guest bcfrug]

Hi Iron Chief,

 

Fair play for answering all the questions. Tip Top my friend.

 

I have a 2003 Model Audi A4 1.8 T Petrol 90,000 Miles

My wife has a 2007 Opel Astra 1.4 Petrol 3 Door Hatchback 60,000 KM

 

Is it worth bringing the two cars over with us from Ireland do you feel. If we were to sell we would prob be lucky to get 9000 Euro combined for two cars. Im trying to figure out whether to bring or sell and buy again in Oz. Were heading for Perth. We were thinking of using the 40ft for the cars and out clothes and house stuff etc.

 

What would your thoughts be on this and i appreciate all your help.

 

Thanks

[teamv]

If the Disco is a recent model it's probably worth looking at bringing it over, but I wouldn't bother with an early one, to be honest - they don't exactly have a good reputation for reliability over here, and as a result, their resale values are pretty poor. I know a good Land Rover specialist here though The Lambretta will be no problems at all to import. You'd need to show you'd owned and used the Sprinter for 12 months before you'd be eligible to bring it in.

 

 

 

.

 

Thanks for that ,The disco is an 07 hse ,I don't want to part with it, as I can't see me being able to buy another ,the scooter's one of the family and Ive already got the sprinter in my name,can you fill the van with your own stuff.Kevin

[Iron Chef]

thanks for the info iron chef, you can bet it will need steam cleaning.(clean money ) how about packing personal items in the car.

 

many thanks

homes

 

Personally, I tend to advise my customers against packing stuff in their cars if it is being sent on RO-RO (Roll-On Roll-Off - think big car ferry), mainly because very few companies will insure inner cargo when cars are sent this way. In other words, if things get stolen along the way, you won't be able to make an insurance claim for the loss. Australia isn't too bad these days for theft, but if the boats stop in Dubai or other middle eastern countries, anything that's not nailed down tends to disappear.

 

If it's going in a container, then it's a different story, but as with the rest of the container, make sure you pack it very carefully because heavy objects may cause damage to the car if they come loose during transit.

 

Hi Mr Ironman oops Iron Chef

 

I will be going to Sydney hopefully around April/May 2011, I plan to take all my belongings including my car. I have done much reading but need a little help processing all the info, my brains are too small....

I have a 2003 top spec Volvo XC90 D5 which i want to import but on checking the Redbook site it appears there are no Diesel versions of the XC90 in earlier models. I know they do sell D5's now probably from 2007 models onwards.

Its current value now is approx £8-9K, will i have a problem in getting it over, is it worth it??

 

Thanks

Henry

 

Hi Henry - presuming your car is the same 2.4 litre turbo diesel available in the Aussie models, then yes it's definitely worth bringing over. We Aussies love our turbo diesels in large 4WDs!

 

Hi Iron Chief,

 

Fair play for answering all the questions. Tip Top my friend.

 

I have a 2003 Model Audi A4 1.8 T Petrol 90,000 Miles

My wife has a 2007 Opel Astra 1.4 Petrol 3 Door Hatchback 60,000 KM

 

Is it worth bringing the two cars over with us from Ireland do you feel. If we were to sell we would prob be lucky to get 9000 Euro combined for two cars. Im trying to figure out whether to bring or sell and buy again in Oz. Were heading for Perth. We were thinking of using the 40ft for the cars and out clothes and house stuff etc.

 

What would your thoughts be on this and i appreciate all your help.

 

Thanks

 

Hi there - I'd sell the Astra and bring the Audi over. The Astra is sold here as a Holden, but the smallest engine we have is a 1.8 litre, making yours almost impossible to sell. Having driven a 1.4 litre Corsa, I can't imagine how slow that motor must be in an Astra (no offence!).

 

The Audi is worth bringing over if you're planning on using it for a while.

[Guest Thenry]

Hi Henry - presuming your car is the same 2.4 litre turbo diesel available in the Aussie models, then yes it's definitely worth bringing over. We Aussies love our turbo diesels in large 4WDs!.

 

Much appreciated Iron Chef, its the same engine but all the newer models have more Horse Power. I think new ones are 185BHP yet my model is 163BHP.

[Guest bcfrug]

Iron Chef,

Do you know of a reputable company here in Ireland that would ship our car over for us or do you offer this service by any chance?????

[Guest MarkieMark]

Hi Iron Chef,

 

Great thread! I have a 2003 Porsche Boxster 2.7, which is valued at £8k in the UK ($13k AUD) and a 2000 VW Transporter T4 1.9TD fully converted camper valued at £7k ($11K AUD). Both are in my name although my partner uses the Porsche as her car.

 

(a) Are either worth the cost of importing?

(b) Can I bring both?

© If only one, which is going to be best to bring?

 

Thanks

[Iron Chef]

Iron Chef,

Do you know of a reputable company here in Ireland that would ship our car over for us or do you offer this service by any chance?????

 

I have a shipping company I use that can arrange RO-RO or container ex-Ireland, feel free to send me an email for more info (although please be aware I'm snowed under with inquiries at the moment, so be patient!)

 

Hi Iron Chef,

 

Great thread! I have a 2003 Porsche Boxster 2.7, which is valued at £8k in the UK ($13k AUD) and a 2000 VW Transporter T4 1.9TD fully converted camper valued at £7k ($11K AUD). Both are in my name although my partner uses the Porsche as her car.

 

(a) Are either worth the cost of importing?

(b) Can I bring both?

© If only one, which is going to be best to bring?

 

Thanks

 

(a) yes and yes

(b) DIT tend to show a bit of leniency with paperwork when it's a husband/wife or defacto scenario, it's their call in the end, but I would certainly try.

© Hard choice, to be honest! The camper would be easier to sell later on, I suspect.

[Iron Chef]

Much appreciated Iron Chef, its the same engine but all the newer models have more Horse Power. I think new ones are 185BHP yet my model is 163BHP.

 

That would still be fine, from a servicing point of view.

[Guest Stooz]

Hi All - advice from personal experience. Cars are very expensive here, so if you've got a reasonably new one (2-3 years old), consider importing. However, if car is older, think hard because it will cost $3k-$k to get the car here and then you have the road worthiness certificate. A bit like a one-off MOT - and you can get caught out. This is not a straight up and down test, its a negotiation between the certified garage who does the test (and will initially fail it) and you. You will have to have some work done (whether the car needs it or not) and its a negotiation to try to get the amount of work they want to do down a bit. This does'nt only happen to Pommie immigrants, it also happens with inter-state migrants. We were quoted $7k, which we negotaited back to $5k - other Aussies I know have negotiated $4k billsback to $2k+. Its not a reason not to import, just be prepared, get a third party inspection eg. RACV, RACQ while the car is still in quarantine if you can and give them this before they do the inspection. It won't stop any attempts to rip you off but it will limit the extent.

 

This is not to say that Australians are all 'hooky' they are'nt. But be as wary here as you would be in say the USA. People will take advantage of you in business or where money is concerned if they think they can, its just seen as fair game ..................and the 'rip off' is a little more prevalent here than in the UK ......car importation is one area where the unwary (and unlucky) can be punished.

 

Having said that, its a great place to live and the people are super-friendly day to day.

[Guest Stooz]

As per another post I made, I'd think twice aboiut the Audi - unless its in really great nick. It'll cost you $2k-$3k to get it here and you may be unlucky with the road worthiness test - we had ours done in QLD so I can only talk about this. If there are any issues , the car will be failed and then you are into a negotiation with the garage about how much work needs to be done before they will give you the all-important road worthiness certificate. Each case is different, but honestly, if it needs more than a minimum of work (if its got body work issues - any rust bubbles - especially) think hard as the garage knows you need the certificate to drive the car and that you've spent money to get it here, so they'll be trying to push the bill up and they will have all of the leverage. NB. Other states may be different - so worth seeing if anyone importing into NSW, SA, VIC, WA has any similr experience.

[Guest andye]

Just looking for other peoples opinion here as we can't quite make up our minds whether it is worth shipping our car. We have a 2 yr old VW Passat Highline, low mileage and in VGC. I know VW Passats are pretty expensive in Oz but would it really be worth shipping ours out?

 

Should have said the engine is a 2.0 Litre diesel (TDi) and is an automatic.