Lexi Webster
Australia has long been one of the key export markets for Japanese used cars. In the late 1990s, Australians began importing cars from Japan in small batches, attracted by the affordability of Japanese used cars and the proximity of the two countries. The demand for Japanese cars in Australia grew, with buyers seeking high-performance models like the Nissan Skyline GT-R and quirky micro cars that were not available in the Australian market. However, in the early 2000s, the Australian government imposed restrictions on imported cars, making the process more complex and costly to protect the local car industry. Despite these challenges, importing Japanese cars remains popular in Australia, with companies offering services to facilitate the process and ensure compliance with regulations.
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What You'll Learn
The popularity of Japanese car imports in Australia
Australia has long been one of the key markets for Japanese used car exports. The popularity of Japanese car imports in Australia can be attributed to several factors, including the availability of specific models not found in local dealerships, the proximity of Japan to Australia for shipping, and the attractive pricing of Japanese used cars.
The demand for Japanese enthusiast car imports in Australia grew significantly, leading to an increase in the number of Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) models gaining popularity in the country. This included luxury people-movers and small quirky microcars from Japan, which were available at bargain prices. The rise in demand resulted in the growth of a large industry surrounding Japanese car imports in Australia.
However, in the early 2000s, the Australian federal government imposed restrictions on imported car types to protect the local new-car market and ensure the quality of vehicles on Australian roads. These restrictions aimed to address concerns about Japanese imports negatively impacting the domestic car industry and rumours of improper import procedures. Despite these challenges, Japanese car imports to Australia continued, with companies like DAZMAC offering affordable and reliable import services.
The process of importing a car from Japan typically involves purchasing the vehicle at Japanese car auctions through an agent or representative. The agent handles the deregistration and shipping preparation, including the necessary paperwork. The car is then shipped to Australia, primarily through Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) methods to ports such as Brisbane, Fremantle, Melbourne, and Sydney. The entire process can take around 20-30 days, and specific documentation, such as the Vehicle Import Approval (VIA), is required to legally import a car into Australia.
Overall, the popularity of Japanese car imports in Australia is driven by the unique models available, competitive pricing, and the development of efficient import processes, despite the challenges posed by government regulations and the associated costs.
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The process of importing a car from Japan to Australia
The process for importing cars from Japan to Australia is relatively simple, but it involves multiple government agencies and can be daunting if it's your first time. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:
Step 1: Purchase a car in Japan
The first step is to purchase a car in Japan, which can be done through Japanese car auctions, either directly or via an agent or representative. It is important to note that there is a 10% GST for cars bought within Japan for continued domestic use, as well as standard registration, insurance, and other on-road costs.
Step 2: Obtain Vehicle Import Approval (VIA)
Before booking any shipping, you must apply for a Vehicle Import Approval (VIA) from the Vehicle Safety Standards Branch of the Australian government's Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, and Local Government. This crucial piece of paperwork ensures that your car complies with Australian standards and can be legally imported and registered in Australia. The application process takes approximately 20 business days, costs $50, and requires scanned copies of your invoice for the car's purchase, ID numbers from the car (such as the VIN), and your details.
Step 3: Shipping and Customs
Once your VIA is approved, you can proceed with shipping your car from Japan to Australia. The vehicle will be deregistered and prepared for shipping by your agent, who will also handle the necessary paperwork for importing the vehicle into Australia. The car will then be delivered to the docks and shipped to one of the Australian ports, such as Adelaide, Brisbane, Darwin, Fremantle, Melbourne, or Sydney. Port workers will unload the vehicle, and it will go through customs and quarantine checks, including cleaning. Import duties, taxes, and other fees, such as depot and terminal handling charges, must be paid before the car can be released from customs control.
Step 4: Modifications and Registration
After clearing customs, your imported car may need to undergo modifications to comply with Australian standards for vehicles. This can be done at a Registered Automotive Workshop (RAWS) to ensure it meets the required specifications. Finally, you can register your imported car in Australia and start driving it on Australian roads.
It is important to note that importing a car from Japan to Australia can be a complex process with specific requirements and regulations. It is recommended to seek professional advice or utilize the services of a specialist company to ensure a smooth and compliant importation process.
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Shipping times and costs from Japan to Australia
Shipping a car from Japan to Australia can take around 6-8 weeks, which is the typical lead time for shipping from Asia to Australia, including port loading and vessel availability. The entire process, from purchase to driving the car in Australia, can take 2-3 months.
The cost of shipping a car from Japan to Australia depends on the shipping method, the car's condition, and other factors such as import duties and taxes. Here are the typical shipping methods and their costs:
- Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo): This is the most common and affordable option, where the car is driven onto and off the ship. Prices for this method typically range from $800 to $2,500.
- Container Shipping: This is a safer but more expensive option, with prices ranging from $1,500 to $5,000, depending on the container size.
- Air Freight: This is the fastest but most expensive method, typically costing between $5,000 and $40,000.
On top of shipping costs, other expenses to consider include:
- Broker fees: Engaging a broker like Iron Chef, J-Spec, or Prestige Motorsports can cost around $1,000 to $1,200.
- Auction and FOB fees: These can amount to about 5-10% of the car's purchase price.
- Customs clearance and duties: Combined, these can cost around $4,000.
- Compliance and registration: This can cost around $2,000 to $3,000.
- Vehicle Import Approval (VIA): This crucial document costs $50 and takes about 20 business days to process.
- Insurance: Comprehensive/full-risk insurance is available through companies like Autohub Australia for 1.5% of the purchase price plus freight costs.
Overall, it is recommended to budget an additional $10,000 on top of the cost of the vehicle to cover shipping, compliance, and any necessary part replacements.
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The history of Australia's Japanese used car import market
Australia was the first export market for Japanese car manufacturers, even before the US and Europe. In the 1950s and 1960s, Japanese manufacturers used Australia as a trial market, and it worked very well for them. In those ten years, they managed a perfect landing in Australia, a significant event in a market dominated by US and English brands. This was the start of a reshuffle of the Australian car landscape that would result in Toyota, and other Japanese brands, leading the way.
Toyota was the first Japanese manufacturer to switch to local assembly, with the Corona assembled in Melbourne as early as 1966, followed by the Crown the same year, and the Corolla in 1968, just one year after its Japanese launch. This made Australia the first overseas country to assemble the Corolla. In 1965, Toyota sold 17,300 vehicles in Australia, its strongest export market.
In the late 1990s, enterprising Australians realised that importing cars from Japan in small batches was possible. Japanese used cars were particularly attractive given their low prices at local auctions and Japan's proximity to Australia for shipping. This opened the door to high-performance late-model Japanese cars like the Nissan Skyline GT-R, Toyota Supra, and Mazda RX-7, which offered excellent build quality, reliability, individuality, and performance not found in regular Australian cars at the time.
As the market for Japanese enthusiast car imports grew in Australia, so did the number of Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) models finding support. A large industry grew around Japanese imports in Australia, as the country already imported many goods and had companies able to handle vehicle imports. However, this changed in the early 2000s when the federal government imposed restrictions on imported cars to protect the local new-car market and ensure high-quality vehicles on Australian roads. Japanese imports were thought to be costing the new car business too much money, and there were rumours of improper import procedures.
The Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicle Scheme (SEVS) prevented Australians from buying vehicles already on sale in Australia but allowed the import of certain unique models. These vehicles had to be modified at a Registered Automotive Workshop (RAWS) to comply with Australian standards. In 2023, the Australian government revamped the entire Japanese used car import market, making the process more complicated and strict.
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The requirements for importing a car from Japan to Australia
Importing a car from Japan to Australia requires careful planning and adherence to various regulations. Here are the key requirements to ensure a smooth import process:
Vehicle Import Approval (VIA)
The most crucial step is obtaining a Vehicle Import Approval (VIA) from the Australian government's Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, and Local Government. This approval is mandatory, regardless of the value of the vehicle. The VIA process typically takes 20 business days, costs $50, and requires scanned copies of the purchase invoice, vehicle identification numbers, and personal details. Without a VIA, your vehicle will not be released from customs control in Australia, resulting in significant storage costs.
Purchase and Shipping Process
When purchasing a car in Japan, it is common to use an agent or representative, especially when buying through Japanese car auctions. The agent will handle the deregistration and preparation for shipping, including the necessary paperwork. Shipping methods vary, with the Roll-on Roll-off (RoRo) method being the most common for vehicle shipments. You can also request a container shipment for added protection during transit.
Customs Clearance and Quarantine
Upon arrival in Australia, your vehicle will undergo customs and quarantine checks. It is essential to engage a customs broker to navigate this process effectively and avoid costly mistakes. Customs clearance involves various fees, including shipping, quarantine, cleaning, duties, and taxes. A professional valuation is required for customs entry, which can be arranged through import specialists.
Compliance with Australian Standards
Imported vehicles must meet Australian standards, as outlined in the Motor Vehicle Standards Act (MVSA). This may involve modifications to ensure compliance with the Australian Design Rules (ADR). Registered Automotive Workshops (RAWS) can assist in making the necessary modifications to comply with safety and emissions regulations.
Personal Eligibility
To import a car to Australia, you must be an Australian citizen or a migrant holding permanent residency in the country. Additionally, you should be of driving age and have owned and used the vehicle overseas for at least twelve continuous calendar months.
By following these requirements and working with reputable agents and specialists, importing a car from Japan to Australia can be a straightforward process, allowing you to enjoy the unique offerings of the Japanese automotive market.
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Frequently asked questions
I cannot find the exact number of cars exported from Japan to Australia. However, I can tell you that Australia has long been one of the key Japanese used car export markets.
To import a car from Japan to Australia, you need to obtain a Vehicle Import Approval (VIA) from the Australian government. You also need to ensure that the car meets the National Standards and has undergone the necessary modification process to comply with Australian standards.
The cost of importing a car from Japan to Australia varies depending on factors such as the type of car, shipping method, and associated taxes and duties. It is recommended to get a quote from a specialised company to understand the precise cost.
The shipping time for importing a car from Japan to Australia typically ranges from 20 to 30 days, depending on the origin and destination ports, as well as other factors.
