sniffydog

Hello,

Our move date looks like it will be earlier than expected - June instead of December. Want to take our car, but due to change in date we will only have owned it for sixth months (from new). Just a little toyota IQ but we want to take it for various reasons. It looked as though the financial aspect of taking it would be about neutral - but I'm not sure what is possible or how it would work now...

Any one know?

Alfresco

It would be impossible to take it I'd say as you must have owned it for 12 months. So you won't even be issued with permit to import certificate.

Check on VIC transport website.

dave7370

Definitely won't be able to get an import approval as you'd have owned and used it for less than 12 months.

Due to me having start my job a month before we'd have owned our car for 12 months means I have to sell it. Gutted, but it's only a car!

77hil

As far as I know the IQ isn't available in Australia anyway so may be a real pain to serviced.

sniffydog

No chance of leaving it here with a friend then for six months?...

dave7370

You need to provide photocopies of every passport page to show you were living outside of Australia for the qualifying period in order to get an import permit.

No way round it I'm afraid apart from to leave your move until another 6 months later.

sniffydog

bugger! looks like we'll have to sell it and buy one of the ubiquitous yaris..............

JAJ

Usually not a good idea to import a car, anyhow.

Alfresco

With the UK pound so low (worth 30-40% less), coupled with that fact that used cars lose value quickly in the UK and then the cost (almost up to double) of replacing it in Oz makes it very worthwhile to take it over.

I've done calculations. Import duty is even less now in Oz since the beginning of 2010.

sniffydog

but it doesn't seem as though anyone can find a way round the one year ownership rule..?

dave7370

Because there isn't one.

Alfresco

There is no way around it. You need to get an import permit before your attempt to take your vehicle. If it's not older than 12 months in your possession, then they won't issue one.

Sorry but there's nothing you can do except sell it and buy again in Oz.

dave7370

To be blunt (but not rude), either accept that you'll have to stay in the UK until the 12 months ownership and use has passed, or sell the car and buy another when you arrive.

There are no shortcuts or any way of getting around the import rules, end of.

craig_m67

There are actually four ways to import a car into Australia, two are relevant to the average punter.

1. 12 months owned and used - any car
2. The car was manufactured before Dec 1989 - import whenever (no prior ownership requirement).

All imported cars will be subject to National ADRs and specific Dept. Transport regs. in whichever Aust. state/territory you register (mot/tax) it - eg QLD; NO LHD less than 30yrs old (or similar).

dave7370

Doesn't change the fact the OP can't get round the import rules to take their car though does it.