Re: VW California Campervan Import - Has anyone done this yet?
 

Hi,
I have a 2011 VW T5 Bilbo,s campervan on its way to Brisbane. The issue with the speedo being in mph should be OK, as KPH is also showen as a digital readout in a panel between the two dials.This reads out the KPH while in motion.
The gas stove in the bilbo,s is a three burner plus a grill. They run on propane or butane or a mixture of both, the same as here in Aus. I don't expect too much of a problem with the gas or electrics when the vehicle arrives in mid September. I will keep you informed.
Paul

Re: VW California Campervan Import - Has anyone done this yet?
 

Check your handbooks for MPH/KPH as my old Discovery, Honda Civic & Triumph motorbike could switch between them, hopefully VW have made it that simple too.

Re: VW California Campervan Import - Has anyone done this yet?
 

Hi there,
We are still in the UK and still planning to take our Cali with us. I have now been offered a job in Aus with my current company but with the understanding that I will complete the current project in UK- this will take at least 12 months!! We will only arrive in Aus beginning 2013!!! In a way I am frustrated but having job security when arriving will be less stressful. I can now plan where we will live, send the kids to school etc.
Getting back to the cars, we will now be exporting 2 cars. Our VW California and a Porche. Hubby couldn't resist:( talk about complicated. After speaking to many people trying to get an understanding of how much we will pay for import duties, I am still not any closer in understanding the exact cost of importing the cali, since this car is not sold in Aus.
I am now starting to do some homework and will share any information I find.
I do not want to leave the Cali behind!! I am willing to sell the Porche any day:) don't think hubby would be to happy:)
I am sure there is some Cali owner out there somewhere that has done this already!!
Someone out there will have the answer to all these questions!!

Re: VW California Campervan Import - Has anyone done this yet?
 

it really is not difficult in principle. All the details you need are here:

http://australia.wikia.com/wiki/Brit...portingYourCar

you have to change the dial faces - use Lockwood international as the European instrument cluster calibration is NOT the same as the UK one and a straight swap of dial faces from an EU cluster to a UK cluster will not result in correct readings.

When you get the vehicle there you will need to have Australian child restraint points fitted.

There's some discussion around certifying the gas but the reaility is that the VW Cali has passed European design standards and so you should check with a local australian company that assesses imports against ADRs.

No-one has done this yet to my belief.

Tokenaussie, did you get anywhere with this?

Re: VW California Campervan Import - Has anyone done this yet?
 

here is the code of practice for motorhomes, it will give you an idea of the regulations that apply for aspects of your import where requirements are not covered in the ADRs

http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roa...Jan2011_v3.pdf

and here is the Administrator's Circular which is definitive:

http://rvcs.dotars.gov.au/Circulars/...ars/0-4-12.pdf

Re: VW California Campervan Import - Has anyone done this yet?
 

I'm now in Oz but the Cali is in London until we decide whether we're staying. The child restraints do need to be fitted but can probably be incorporated into the seats. The ADRs for gas are determined by the department of fair trading (no idea way). I've written to them but no response but as I understand it they could exempt the vehicle but more likely the gas system would have to be changed (pipes and all) with an external storage added so it makes more sense to decommission it and install a spirit stove. Electrics should be OK as they are all dual pole Euro standards. This may be a problem for UK built campers like the Bilbo. Speedo is fine as it has km/h markings. An approved engineer needs to certify what work is required. An AUVIS garage performs the work and eventually certificate is issued. I'm told there are no longer yellow compliance plates. The certificate (state regs) and import approval (National regs) must be kept with the vehicle for the rest of its life.

I will do some more research this end as time permits

Re: VW California Campervan Import - Has anyone done this yet?
 

go to www.thelotusforums.com and search there, I and a few others active on that forum have imported Esprits. ( some succesful and others not-so ) Look in the Australia section and feel free to PM me if you need any advice.