Beertjie

I have searched through the forums for anyone that has imported this particular car. I want to know if the fact that the sliding door is on the right hand side (iow the wrong side for passengers to get in and out) will be a problem when importing this car. Any other problems that I might not be aware of??
I have tried to go throught he endless documents you need to read before importing but can't make any sense of any of it.

I really want to keep the Cali and they are not available for sale in Australia.

We are heading for Brisbane.

Thanks

Arizona Wurzel

The headlights will be dipping the wrong way and maybe the turn signal lenses might be the wrong color

Sherlock Holmes

Hi there and welcome to B.E.

It's my pleasant duty to welcome you to the forum and give you a point of contact should you need any help with the site in general. You can contact me here.

A list of all the moderators and helpers with their relevant countries including Australia can be found here.

Any problems, dont hesitate to PM me.

As regards the import have you looked at this? http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page4371.asp

You may find costs prohibitive with import duty, GST etc. What sort of visa do you have? This also makes a difference as to whether or not you can import your vehicle.

Alistair.

lapin_windstar

I suspect that a specialist forum for VW Campervans in Australia is more likely to give you accurate/experienced information/insight.

Generally, the opinion seems to be that it's not worth importing "normal" cars from overseas due to the high costs of transport+compliance+registration+tax, but very unusual or expensive cars can be worth it.

Swerv-o

I think the process is simpler with older vehicles that can be classified as specialist. I would like to find out more, as I have a hankering for a nice Lotus Esprit in white...


S

crikey

Not sure about importing but you can get VW campers here from Kea Campers, they're pricey new but look on the website & they sell off the ex rentals for $40 - 45k - 2 & a half years old with 100,000 ish kms on - would have one but theres 5 of us & only 4 seats in them.

dereknunn

Hi there,

I investigated importing one of these a few months back and can probably help you out. What I know for sure is that the only way of getting one into Australia is bringing one with you as a personal import.

From my research two demonstrators were brought over for a motor show some years ago (assume by VW) and were used on the roads over here without issue (so the sliding door is not an issue). I also spoke to an import company who had personal experience of taking care of the legalities of one that was imported by the personal import scheme and apparently it was relatively straight forward.

The VW California Beach was available over here for a while, but I believe it is now discontinued. The only conversion over here that comes close is by a company called Trakka, I have not actually seen one, but they look fairly good. I owned several Westfalia conversions before emigrating here and believe me the general standard of the conversions over here is very poor by comparison.

My advice is simple, do whatever it takes to get it out here! Even if you then decide to sell it here I would expect you would make money particularly given the current exchange rate, and just compare it to the cost of replacing it with a Trakka Trakkadu conversion which currently cost well in excess of $120,000.

Feel free to PM me and I will help in anyway I can. Assuming it is a 4 motion model all I ask is that if you do bring it out, and ever decide to sell it, you give me first refusal!

Cheers,

Derek

Beertjie

Thanks Derek,

I had a look at the trakka website and did not like the look of them, thats why I want to bring the Cali out.
We are heading out to Aus Dec 2011, to Brisbane. I am considering upgrading to 4motion as we will own it for a year before going to Aus, the only problem is that they don't have the 5th seat!! Would the 4motion be better for Aus?

Might end up bringing 2 of them to Aus They are awesome cars.

dereknunn

4 Motion depends on your intentions but it certainly opens up more opportunities.

I live in remote WA and drive on the beach a lot so to me it would be essential, but I don't have the need for 5 seats...

Tokenaussie

Hi, I would be very interested to know who you spoke to as I'm investigating the same thing with a view to bringing a 2007 California with me next year as a personal import. The VW forums have little knowledge but I have gleaned a few facts

DOTARS have no problem with a personal import.
Problems may arise when a registered engineer has to ensure it meets state requirements (which are bound by federal requirements).

For example. The wrong sided sliding door doesn't appear to be an issue. Mini wagons get away with it and many VW vans have doors both sides. If it's RHD no problem but LHD won't get past. The big sticking point is likely to be the child restraints. Australia protects its small car and child seat industries by refusing to adopt ISOFIX. It means parents need new child seats for Australia (and boy are they expensive) and it means the California must be modified to accept a top-tether. The local VW vans have a modification to their back seats to accept a top tether. My concern is that they would need to drill big bolt holes into the Cali's roof. The position regarding electrical and gas fittings is not clear. Technically they should be certified by an Australian plumber and an Australian engineer as passing Australian standards. In any case the gas fittings would need to be modified for the local gas bottles.

That's about all I've gleaned so far but my next step is to talk to some engineers. We're headed for Sydney so I need to talk specifically to NSW engineers.

So Beertjie, please keep posting any info you find and we can help each other. The aussie built campers are not bad but they are expensive and don't have the style of the Cali. We must succeed !

Tokenaussie

Update : I have emailed an Engineer in NSW asking for more information, Will post when I know more.

Tokenaussie

Know how you feel !

The NSW situation will be very similar though possibly more strict than QLD. Please let me know if you find any more information.

dereknunn

I am unsure of the company I spoke to, but it was one of the larger import agents that I found on-line. I will have check when I get a moment and see if any of them ring a bell. Good luck guys!

cmorris2104

Hi,

I to am moving to Australia (Melbourne) and am looking to take my beloved VW Camper with me. I have a 1987 T25 Westfalia conversation, which is LHD.

I have tried to do some research and found mixed messages about taking a LHD vechicle into the country, I have read as it is before 1989, it is classed as a classic and the rules are more relaxed.

Any clarification would be most appreciated.

Tokenaussie

Can't help you there. You may have a point about pre-89 vehicles. I did read on one forum that some states will allow a LHD while others won't. If I find more info I will post a link.