is it too late to import??
 

Hi i bought a bmw m5 in 2003, moved to australia in 2005, put it in storage when i moved and its still in storage, got my pr in 2008 and citzenship in 2010, is it to late to import this car as a personal import given that i owned it overseas for the 12months prior to coming to australia.

i presume it is and should have been done back in 2005 but could anyone let me know if it isnt.

thanks guys.

Re: is it too late to import??
 

Why would it be too late? You owned it for more than 12 months before moving to Aus? and you still own it now?

Re: is it too late to import??
 

It appears you may only apply for a personal import approval within 6 months of becoming a resident of Australia. Details in the application form here:-

http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roa...plication.aspx

Re: is it too late to import??
 

That sucks.. Whats the reason for not letting you import it as and when, as long as its been owned for more than 12 months previously?

Re: is it too late to import??
 

Because they can.

Re: is it too late to import??
 

:D Indeed. I would guess that they would expect you to move the vehicle when you moved and think they're doing you a favour giving you six months. Probably think if you're shipping it over after that time, you're only doing so to flog it and so in effect getting around paying tax on a possible large amount of cash. Could be wrong, if so my sincere apologies to the ATO :lol:

Re: is it too late to import??
 

That's probably bang on.
Once I had arrived and realised just how much money could be made on importing the 'right' cars, I considered setting up a deal with a mate back in the UK, where he would register the car in my name, lets say a Porsche 911, we would split the costs, he would get to drive it for 12 months and then we would ship it over and sell it. I would keep the bulk of the profits and he would get to drive a 'super car' for next to nothing..... and then we realised the ATO had already thought of it before us. :(

Re: is it too late to import??
 

Price of European sports cars out here is a disgrace..

Re: is it too late to import??
 

i agree.

dont get me started on LHD import restrictions.

Re: is it too late to import??
 

I would advise you to try to lodge an application with Infrastructure to request their approval to import your car. It costs a mere $50 dollars to lodge the form, that's all you have got to loose in case your request is declined.
Like you, we meet all requirements for importing our car but we had first arrived in the country over one year before we applied and we were on a 457 visa. In the form I had included an honest, yet pleading, cover letter explaining the reasons behind applying later than required. As we did not meet all of the requirements, our application went to an administrator for further review. Four weeks after applying, much to our surprise, we received through the post the certificate of approval for importing the car. No harm in trying.