bigAPE

Importing your Car into Australia

When looking at moving you Australia, like a lot of people, we considered taking our cars over as well. The problem was then while all the information needed to do this was available it was scattered all over the place and no matter how hard I tried I couldn't get a reliable answer to the big question "How much will it cost me?". The formula's for calculating this are already available, but everyone we asked (forums, shipping companies, agents, etc) seemed to give us a different answer. We (OK, I) decided that I didn't want to let my car go and as long as I was "breaking even" I would do it.

The following information is based my experience importing my Audi from the UK to Victoria.

Disclaimer
All costs and information in this post are based on our personal experience and are not meant to be taken as legally binding. If your experience was different, don't blame me. I can only suggest that you get a good Shipping Company in the UK and a knowledgeable Shipping Agent in Melbourne.


It is really worth it?

If you own a rare or unusual car or if you just love your car then you should consider it. However, most people should consider selling the car in the UK and buying a similar marque in Australia. They are not that much more expensive and, once you add up all the sheer costs associated with moving the car, you could end up saving money and picking up a dealer used warranty in the process. Selling Personal Imports is also apparently a lot harder and most dealers will fleece you if you try to sell to them. While garage labour charges here are much cheaper then in the UK parts for European cars (Audi, BMW, etc) are more expensive.


Prerequisites

To be eligible for a personal import the following criteria must be satisfied:

• The vehicle must be in a right hand drive configuration
• The vehicle has been owned and used by the applicant for a continuous period of at least 12 months (3 months where ownership and use of the vehicle commenced before 8 May 2000);
• At the time the vehicle is imported, the applicant is an Australian citizen or an Australian permanent resident or a person who has applied to beome an Australian citizen or an Australian permanent resident
• Visitors, temporary residents, foreign diplomatic personnel, companies and corporations are not eligible to import a vehicle under the personal import scheme.
• The applicant is of an age that entitles him or her to hold a licence or a permit to drive a road vehicle of that type;
• The applicant undertakes to comply with any requirements as to road safety that are imposed in respect of the vehicle by the Administrator; and
• The applicant has not imported a road vehicle owned by him/her within the year ending on the day on which the vehicle in respect of which the application is made is landed in Australia. If an applicant has imported a vehicle under any other provisions in that time, approval will not be granted.
• You have been granted a Approval to Import certificate from DOTARS (see below)

Once you have satisfied all of these your all set to start the long process of arranging shipping agents and companies.


The Process

While in the UK

1. Get valuation from Approved Victorian Valuer
2. Prepare all the paperwork for the car (get a folder with EVERYTHING just in case)
3. Apply for Approval to Import (VB10) from DOTARS. You will need to jump through hoops, including send them a letter of testimony stating every day you have spent outside the UK since you bought it (pain in the arse)
4. Receive Approval to Import (VB10) Certificates
5. Arrange for Shipping Company ship to Melbourne (choose RORO or Container)
6. Arrange for Shipping Agent in Melbourne to manage Dockside, Quarantine, Customs Duty, GST & Container (if used). You will need to provide them with copies of all documents they will need to get your car cleared. (see above)
7. Deliver Car to UK Docks
8. Notify DVLA that your exporting the car by sending back the section of your Registration Document
9. Go to Australia

Once in Australia

1. Wait (we had to wait for weeks)
2. Arrange Temporary Insurance in Australia for the period while you are waiting to get your Registration ("Rego"). Your insurer must be willing to insure a Personal Import (some specialists like Vigil are OK, but most will charge you an extra 70% because its a personal import)
3. Obtain Unregistered Permit (1 MONTH is best) from VicRoads to drive your car while awaiting for approval. Should be dated to start a couple of days after your ship is due.
4. Shipping Agent manages clearance on Dockside.
5. Pay your customs Duty and GST at this point or they won't release the car to AQIS for Quarantine inspection.
6. Wait for AQIS to clear your car (same day usually)
7. You get "the call" to pick the car up
8. Contact Insurer to start your insurance
9. Go to the Docks to pick her up, put the Unregistered Permit in the window and drive her home. You CAN NOT drive the car until its registered by Vic Roads unless you are driving to or from one of the stages below. You will get stopped and fined.
10. Get your a Roadworthyness ("Roadworthy") Test (like an MOT) from a local garage (I would recommend AUDI Spares - Matt is just great)
11. Arrange for a VASS Inspection. There are only about 20 guys in Melbourne who do this (we can recommend Andrew Enkelman in Braeside - Enkelman and Associates Pty Ltd). They will vet your car for compliance with Australian Standards. We failed the test, getting caught out by not having Child Seat Restrain Anchor points on the rear seats and we had to get them custom fitted to the car by Audi Spares. Wasn't expensive but was a pain in the arse and over two weeks. Also, your car MUST have Kmph on the Speedometer ring next to Mph or you will need to get a new instrumentation cluster (the one for my TT was £1,000! - thankfully it didn't need it) (Refer to the Vic Roads Section above for Links to the list of approved VASS engineers)
12. Once you have your VASS clearance you need to apply for a yellow Personal Import Plate (self adhesive metallic sticker) from Niddrie Nameplates (the VASS guy will explain it all). Once this arrives (~1 week) you will need to stick it to the frame in the engine bay.
13. Arrange for your Registration from VicRoads. You have to give them about a weeks notice to get an appointment and this is another full inspection and more forms followed by your License Plates being presented and getting the Vic "Rego" sticker for the Window (Refer to the Vic Roads Section above). You will need to bring along your remaining VB10 Certificates including the one signed by the VASS engineer. VicRoads cannot accept a VASS Approval Certificate more than 30 days after the date of issue, so don't hang about.
14. Get your UK plates removed and the Vic ones bolted on and your away!

The Costs

This cost break down based on an 2001 Audi TT 1.8T Coupe (2 Door, 4 Seats, Very Low Mileage) shipped in March 2007. All costs are approximate and obviously subject to change. A list of suppliers we used will be listed at the bottom.

To work out this calculation you need to determine the following:

• Average sale price of your car in the UK
  Be realistic based on the its age, condition, etc. consider that you may not be able to sell it in time and might end up having to sell it to a dealer at a big loss. If you can get quotes, get them. Use Parkers Guide to help you figure out a figure. For example you could use an average of the private sale figures.
• Average sale price of your car in Victoria
  This is to calculate a rough Customs Value. Again, be realistic as by selling a Personal Import you will never get the same. Use the RedBook in Australia to help you figure out a market value. Again,you could use an average of the private sale figures. You could then try Drive.com.au (or a similar used car site) to guage the street value of your marque in Victoria. Remember that Automatics are much more valuable in Australia and it can add as much as 25% to the average Manual sale price. You could also get an "official" Valuation certificate from an Valuer Authorised by DOTARS/VicRoads right now (see above). Then you can calculate these figures almost exactly (see Valuation above). We got the valuation done first and this gave us a solid idea of what we would be charged
• Average purchase price of a similar margue in Victoria
  This will help with you final decision if the whole process is worth it. Again, Drive.com.au can help with this.

For the purposes of this rough calculation we will assume the following:

• UK Sale Price: £12,000
• Aus Street Value: $35,000 (£14,900 June 2007)
• Customs Value: $23,000 (£9,280 Feb 2007) ~65% of Street Value

Charges in the UK

• Official Vehicle Valuation = $220.00
• RORO Shipping from UK to Melbourne = ~£700.00
• Shipping Insurance (Roughly 2% of the UK Value) = £120.00

Australian Customs Duty

• Customs Duty (10% of the Customs Value) = $2,300.00 (our final bill was actually $2,070 - Don't know why)
• GST (10% of Customs Value + Duty Paid + Shipping Costs) = $2,530.00 (our final bill was actually $2,473)

Australian Charges by Shipping Agent

• Agents Fees = $200.00 - All Ports International Logistics (Aus)
• Quarantine Entry Fees = $25.00
• Customs Entry Fee = $35.00
• Air Conditioning Fee = $50.00
• Quarantine Fees = $300.00
• Local shipping charges = $200.00
• Customs Levied Customs Entry Fees = $72.00
• AQIS Tailgate Fee = $75.00 [Only For Containers]
• Cartage to Unpacking Depot & Dehire Empty Container = $250.00 [Only For Containers]
• Unpacking of Shipping Container = $200.00 [Only For Containers]

Australian Compliance Charges

• VASS Inspection = ~$290.00
• Personal Import Plate = $76.80 - Niddrie Nameplates
• Roadworthy Test = $85.00 - AUDI Spares
• Child Seat Anchor Point = $500.00 - Fitted by "AUDI Spares" Garage

Registration Charges - VicRoads

• Appointment Fee = $10.60
• Inspection Fee = $22.00
• Registration Fee = $168.60
• Transport Accident Charge = $356.00
• Insurance Duty = $35.60
• Number Plates (slimline plates for Euro cars) = $49.80
• Motor Vehicle Duty (4% of the Customs Value) = $920.00 - Use your Official Valuation Statement

Final Total: £4,238 (June 2007 Rates)
Total Loss: (US Sales + Door-to-Door Costs) - (Replacement Cost in Australia) = £1,338

I have attached the Excel we have created to calculate these costs based on the key values. It's not as pretty as Karmens but it does cover all broken down costs. I hope it helps you


Official Valuation

When you use the calculations below to figure out the rough costs you will likely be basing them on estimates derived from websites, etc. If your initial calculation seems fair to you and you think it's worth considering doing, then your next step is to get the Official Valuation statement from an approved valuer in Victoria. For us the valuation cost A$220 (£93) and was done by completing a form via email/fax. We got the response through as a PDF and used it all the way through the process described below. No-one argued with it and it even matched the Insurers estimates.

What you are after is an official valuation that Customs will use as the "As Landed Value". In other words the value of your specific car once its tires hit the dockside in Melbourne. The valuation provided takes into account that this is a Personal Import and that it will never be valued as high as a similar vehicle imported directly by a dealer. It also takes into account that you have had to ship it from the UK, insure it and pay Duty/GST on top.

The final valuation can be a low as 65% of the street value of the car in Australia.


DOTARS - Department of Transport and Regional Services

To even attempt a Personal Import of your car into Australia you are required to apply for and be granted a VB10 Application for Approval to Import a Vehicle. If your not granted this form and you attempt to send your car customs will give you the choice to have it sent back to the port of origin or destroyed, both at your cost. Copies of the following documents must be provided to establish ownership and use of the vehicle overseas for twelve consecutive months, or more:

• Every page of your passport including your Visa stamps and all blank pages
• Statement of travel. This involves supplying details of any absences from your main country of residence during the relevant qualifying period for ownership and use of the vehicle. If your travel was for business reasons you must supply a letter to that effect from your employer. DOTARS need to know the total amount of days you were out of the country per year, this is the most important aspect of this statement.
• Purchase Receipt for the vehicle. If you can not find the original purchase document, just write a signed letter stating the approximate date you bought it, and price, and state that you have lost the original.
• Overseas registration documents in your name
• Your Driver's License

The application form and instructions can be found on the DOTARS website (see link below)
Link: DOTARS - Importing Vehicles to Australia


Shipping Companies

The following are just a handful of the many Shipping Companies in the UK eager to help you out.

Karman Shipping Ltd
These guys looked really good, but after four voice messages and five emails I didn't get a single response. Others have had much better experiences. Karmen do offer an Excel file on their website to help with calculating the basic costs. In experience we found it to be a little out in some areas. Our calculations (above) are based on our actual experience.

George Baker Shipping Ltd
This is who we used and while they were very helpful they knew nothing more than how to ship your car.

We have also heard of Household Shipping Companies willing to ship your car. Our household shipping agent Britannia offered to ship the car in the same container as our goods. As it ended up in Brisbane it was probably a wise choice not to go with them.


Australian Agents

These are the guys who handle the majority of the red tape for you at the dockside, including the Customs and other dross. They are cheap (~$200 for a vehicle clearance from a RORO), but they are an excellent source of information and they know how to deal with Customs, the Shipping Lines and the Docks

Everyone is different but in general they will require the following documentation to handle your case:

• Copy of the DOTARs VB10 Approval to Import certificates for Customs purposes
• Copy of an Air conditioning statement. (see below)
• Copy of the Photo Page of your Passport.
• Your Australian Contact details, so they can reach you (Address, Email, Mobile, etc)
• A Personal effects statement (if you pack anything in the car - see the AQIS section)
• A list of personal goods (if you pack anything in the car - see the AQIS section)
• Original of the Original Bill of Lading (with your signature anywhere on the reverse). This is what you will get from the Shipping line via your Shipping Company after the ship has sailed. Some Lines now handle all this electronically (as ours did)

The following is an example of the Air Conditioning statement that is required for import.
These agents are extremely useful for explaining the Australian side of the proceedings but once you have the car in your hands it's up to you to get it registered. While there are several agents operating in Victoria, we can personally recommend the one we used:

All Ports International Logistics Pty Ltd
These guys were great. I can recommend David Stewart and his team for their excellent, and very reasonably priced, service.


Shipping Insurance

For what its worth you must have maritime insurance for your vehicle during shipping. The insurance will almost never pay you anything unless the ship sinks, read the fine print and you'll see what I mean, but if your car or the container it might be in damages the ship YOU are liable. You're also liable if the container falls off the ship and damages (or god forbid sinks) another ship. You are leasing this container and it is effectively your property during the trip. You could end up having to pay for massive damage costs for the ship and for the loss of the container.

To sum up, insurance is more to cover you against claims from the shipping line than for you to claim on your car.


Shipping Methods

It should be noted that regardless of the method you choose the shipping line hold no liability for anything that happens to your property while on their ship, be it damage by their staff or the ship. Insane as it is this is how they operate. You have no recourse what so ever.

RORO
This is the cheapest option, but it has it's drawbacks. These are HUGE "Roll-On Roll-Off" car transport ships, used by the commercial car companies to ship thousands of cars worldwide. Your car will be driven onto the car by Dock hands and secured to a "birth" were it will live for the next ~4 weeks in transit. Once it arrives it will be driven off the ship and onto the dockside by dock hands. There are some issues with using a RORO:

• Damage to your Car - You should know that my car arrived via RORO with a dent in the door and all the Audi Quattro badges ripped off with a screwdriver. I have heard worse stories, but
• Shipping Delays - We had to wait for FOUR ships to depart before we got on one (the car was delayed by 3 weeks in the end due to this) and that was with us having a confirmed birth on the very first ship. The RORO shipping lines are extremely mercenary, they will always bump you off if they can get another fleet car on for BMW or another large manufacturer. We were delayed because BMW were shipping an extra 4,000 cars to South Africa which was en-route.

Container
I don't know a tremendous amount about using a container for this, but from what I do know your is secured inside a container and shipped on a general cargo ship bound for your port. There are a couple of options here, you could opt for a single container just for your car or if you are shipping personal effects


AQIS - Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service

To pass AQIS inspection your car must be spotless. AQIS are specifically looking for mud on the underside and in the wheel arches. It is advised that you have the car interior professionally valeted, have the exterior detailed and have the underside of your car steam cleaned to remove any trace of mud.

We had the car professionally cleaned by the Audi Dealer, but then had to drive the car from the South West to Southampton where it sat for weeks in the rain waiting for the ship. It passed AQIS no problem. If AQIS do have a problem they will enforce that the car is steam cleaned by them on the dockside. Their charges are extortionate, but not crazy.

Link: AQIS - Importing Motor Vehicles


ACS - Australian Customs Service

You are generally allowed to transport goods in your car if you wish, however:

• You must completed a customs import form for the content before leaving
• You must inventory the full contents of your car, down to the unused Chamois Leather you left in the glove compartment

We were advised not to store anything in the car as it can cause serious delays with AQIS at the Victorian dockside.

Link: ACS - Importing a Motor Vehicle


VicRoads

Once you manage to get through to someone (long queues on the phone) they where extremely helpful and friendly, as were the people at the various VicRoads offices I visited.

Link: VicRoads - Imported Vehicle Registration
Link: VicRoads - Unregistered Vehicle Permit
Link: VicRoads - Vehicle Assessment Signatory Scheme (VASS)


Tips

• I would also recommend you swap your UK Drivers License for your Victorian early once you arrive and have semi-permanent address. It helps a lot.
• It should be noted that even after weeks of research, calling people checking with Customs, etc. I was still not aware of all the extra costs involved (listed above). If I had I probably would have reconsidered, given the really low speed limits in Metropolitan Melbourne, the number of cameras and the traffic lights at every single junction. I now understand why people buy Automatics over here.

Buzzy--Bee

I have stickied this as there are so many inquiries about importing your car.

Thanks to BigApe for putting in the work to document this.

Mod.

sandra da silva

Oh my gwd.. That was a long read, my bums gone numb! But so incredibly helpfull. Now due to a haisty rethink my much loved well cared for 10yr old vitara soft top (modern classic) will be left to a good home along with my 8 yr old cat ! Thanks Sandra n alex

Sue

A wonderful post, it must have taken you ages to write out all the information. I have added it to the wiki for you so it will be easier for you to edit or add to.

Sue

Graff

Thanks for info, I think I would be leaving mine here now, too much agro. Do you know any flight deals to Brisbaine from uk Birmingham for Sept/Oct? Thanks for any info - anyone.

Buzzy--Bee

You may wish to start another thread - this is a thread about importing cars.

Mod.

mil

Very informative and definitely time for a re think. Sounds like to much hard work and cost for the sake of the OH's mini. She won't be happy

bigAPE

Thanks, but it is already being added to the BritVics Wiki (Importing Your Car). Can you please ensure that your Wiki entry is replaced with a link to point to our Wiki for this. I don't want to have to maintain multiple versions. I only posted it on here after being advised to do so by Buzzy-Bee because people had already started copying and pasting chunks of it from the original thread on BritVics.

Sue

Well sorry, thought I was doing you a favour as you had mentioned in the original post that you would be coming back to update and I figured it would be easier for you to do that in the wiki. I'll remove it.

bigAPE

Thanks, I can see were some confusion might arise. I was approach by Buzzy on BritVics where he asked me to post it on BE as well. I was not aware that you might be planning on adding it to your Wiki, I could have explained that I was already working on adding it to ours. It took a long time to compile the original document and I'm only planning on updating one version.

Out of interest why am I unable to edit this copy, I don't seem to have an Edit button on the main post ?

Wendy

You can only edit a post for up to two hours from the original posting time. I think that's why Sue addeded it to the Wiki, so you could edit it.

bigAPE

Ah, I wasn't aware of that. Tough to keep a post updated. No worries, I have added a reference to the BE Wiki to point to the final version of the document.

If one of the admins could remove the "This is a work in progress so stay with me on this." comment from the beginning that would be great

Buzzy--Bee

Done.

Buzzy

bigAPE

Cheers Mr The Bee

skeaty

Thanks for a great post. i had changed my mind so many times about bringing the car, Guess what im selling it and buying in Queensland.

Thanks again
Sid