Ruqayyah Snyder
Taking your car to Australia is possible, but it's a lengthy process that requires a lot of paperwork and can be expensive. You'll need to obtain a Vehicle Import Approval, which can take at least 21 days to process, and your car will need to comply with Australian design and safety standards, including being a right-hand drive vehicle. You'll also need to demonstrate that you've had access to the vehicle for at least 12 months and that it's been registered in your name. Before shipping your car, you'll need to ensure it's clean and free of any biosecurity concerns, such as live insects, seeds, soil, or animal material. Additionally, you may need to obtain an import license for certain air conditioning systems, and your fuel tank must be less than 20% full. Once your car arrives in Australia, it will be inspected by customs, and you may be required to pay various taxes and duties, including a Luxury Car Tax if your vehicle exceeds a certain value.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Visa requirements | A temporary visitor visa is required for a temporary import of a vehicle for a year |
| Vehicle Importation Approval | Required |
| Fees and charges | Customs duties, GST, registration and roadworthy examination fees, stamp duty fees, port and local agent fees, customs valuation fees |
| Vehicle requirements | Right-hand drive, compliance with Australian design and safety standards, Road Vehicle Standards legislation, owned for 12 months or longer, clean and free of contamination of biosecurity concern, fuel tank less than 20% capacity |
| Time taken | 10-14 days for processing the vehicle, up to 60 business days for ROVER application assessment, additional time for custom clearance |
| Shipping company | Use a company experienced in dealing with imports into Australia, avoid roll-on/roll-off service |
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What You'll Learn
Shipping costs and customs duties
Shipping a car from the US to Australia can cost between $2,150 and $5,000, with some sources giving a starting price of $2,395. This does not include the additional costs of taxes, duties, and fees associated with importing the car into Australia.
There are several types of import taxes in Australia, including customs duty, the Goods and Services Tax (GST), and the Luxury Car Tax (LCT). Customs duty is a tax levied on imported goods based on the value of the goods, the country of origin, and the type of goods. The GST is charged at 10% of the value of the taxable importation, and the LCT is applied to luxury cars imported into Australia and is calculated as a percentage of the value of the car that exceeds a certain threshold. The current LCT rate is 33%, and the threshold is $77,565 for fuel-efficient vehicles and $68,740 for other vehicles.
Tourists or temporary residents can import road vehicles into Australia on a temporary basis without paying duty and taxes for up to 12 months. However, even if you do not pay customs duty, the GST and LCT will still apply.
Other charges to consider when shipping a car to Australia include freight and insurance charges, wharf, transport, storage, and delivery charges, cleaning charges, registration and insurance requirements, and charges for import processing, customs brokers, and logistics service providers. It is important to ensure that your vehicle is clean and free of biosecurity concerns before shipping it to Australia, as there will be inspections by the Australian Department for Agriculture for 'cleanliness' and any traces of dirt, seeds, and biological materials.
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Vehicle eligibility and requirements
Vehicle Import Approval
To bring your car into Australia, you will need to obtain a Vehicle Import Approval. This process can take at least 21 days for processing, so it is essential to plan ahead. The approval can be obtained through the Vehicle Import System, where you can register and provide details of your shipping company. Alternatively, you can authorise your shipping company to handle the approval application on your behalf.
Right-Hand Drive and Standards Compliance
Your vehicle must be a right-hand drive, complying with Australian design and safety standards. It should be safe, secure, and environmentally friendly, adhering to the Road Vehicle Standards legislation. Each Australian state has its own specific requirements, so ensure you are familiar with the rules of the state you are moving to.
Ownership and Usage Period
To import a vehicle to Australia, you must have owned and used it for at least 12 months. This usage period needs to be demonstrated, and you should be able to provide evidence that the vehicle was available for your use during this time. This can include registration documents, proof of garaging near your residence, and a valid driver's licence for the vehicle.
Quarantine and Biosecurity Compliance
Your vehicle must meet Australian quarantine and biosecurity requirements. It should be thoroughly cleaned, both internally and externally, before arrival in Australia. This includes removing or cleaning any contamination of biosecurity concern, such as live insects, seeds, soil, mud, clay, animal faeces, animal material, and plant material. The Australian Department for Agriculture inspects vehicles for cleanliness, and failure to meet these standards may result in additional charges and delays.
Customs Clearance and Duties
Once your vehicle arrives in Australia, it will go through customs clearance. You will need to pay customs duties, Goods and Services Tax (GST), and potentially a Luxury Car Tax if your vehicle exceeds a certain value. Customs may request a valuation of your vehicle, which can cost around AU$500-700. After customs clearance, your vehicle will be inspected for roadworthiness, and you will need to register it with the local authorities and obtain Australian number plates.
Refrigerant Gases and Asbestos
If your vehicle is equipped with an air conditioner or refrigeration system, it may require an import licence for ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and synthetic greenhouse gases (SGG). Additionally, ensure your vehicle does not contain any asbestos before shipping it to Australia. The Australian Border Force (ABF) may require assurances that your vehicle does not pose a risk of containing asbestos.
By carefully considering these eligibility and requirement factors, you can navigate the process of taking your car to Australia effectively and ensure compliance with the necessary regulations.
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$25.92 $31.49
Importation approval
If you are planning to take your vehicle to Australia, you will need to obtain a Vehicle Import Approval. The process can be lengthy, so it is important to be well-organised and complete all the necessary steps to avoid delays. Here are some key points to consider regarding the importation approval process:
Eligibility
Firstly, ensure that your vehicle meets the eligibility criteria for importation into Australia. The vehicle must comply with Australian design and safety standards, and it must be a right-hand drive vehicle. Additionally, the vehicle must have been owned and used by you for a period of at least 12 months before importing it to Australia. This means that the vehicle should be registered in your name, and you should have the necessary licence to drive it.
Application Process
To apply for Vehicle Import Approval, you will need to provide certain documents to the relevant department. This includes a purchase document for the vehicle in your name and evidence that the vehicle has been available for your use during the 12-month qualifying period. You may also need to provide additional supporting documents, such as proof of ownership and registration. It is important to ensure that your application is as complete as possible to avoid delays in the approval process.
Timing
The processing time for Vehicle Import Approval applications is at least 21 days. Therefore, it is advisable to apply well in advance of your planned travel date. If you are already in Australia, you can still apply for Vehicle Import Approval, but you must do so within six months of your arrival.
Authorised Agents
If needed, you can authorise a shipping company or an agent to handle the approval application on your behalf. To do this, you can register for an account with the Vehicle Import System and provide the details of your chosen shipping company or agent.
Biosecurity Requirements
All vehicles imported into Australia are subject to biosecurity control. It is the importer's responsibility to ensure that the vehicle is clean and free of any contamination that could pose a biosecurity risk. This includes removing or cleaning any live insects, seeds, soil, mud, clay, animal faeces, animal material, and plant material from both the interior and exterior of the vehicle before it arrives in Australia.
Duties and Taxes
When importing a vehicle into Australia, you will be subject to certain duties and taxes, including the Goods and Services Tax (GST). Additionally, if your vehicle is considered a luxury car (worth over a certain value), you may be required to pay a Luxury Car Tax, which is 33% of the value of the vehicle.
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Cleaning and biosecurity
The Australian government takes biosecurity risks very seriously. The country enjoys freedom from many of the world's most damaging pests and diseases, but exotic pests and insects could inadvertently hitch a ride to Australia on vehicles. These include snails, which carry bacteria and parasites, and the brown marmorated stink bug, which can breed huge populations that become a major problem for crop growers.
Soil, plant debris, seeds, and live insects not present in Australia pose a real and serious threat to the country's agriculture and natural environment. As such, it is your responsibility to ensure that your vehicle is clean and free of biosecurity concerns before it arrives in Australia. This includes removing or testing for asbestos, especially in brake pads, gaskets, and insulation, and removing air-conditioning gas if it contains ozone-depleting substances.
Vehicles should be steam cleaned inside and out to remove all traces of dirt, seeds, and biological materials. Some vehicle cleaners have had success with the following treatments:
- Seeds – hand-picking the seed off with sticky tape or an equivalent
- Soil – pressure hose
- Insects/snails – physical removal
- Insect infestation – fumigation treatment
If contamination is found during the mandatory biosecurity inspection, your vehicle will need to be cleaned or fumigated. The biosecurity officers may even require the quarantine, export, or destruction of the goods.
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Registration and roadworthiness
Before shipping your car to Australia, it is important to understand the registration and roadworthiness requirements. Firstly, ensure that your vehicle complies with Australian design and safety standards, including being a right-hand drive vehicle. Each Australian state has its own specific requirements, so be sure to research the regulations in your destination state.
To register your vehicle in Australia, you will need to obtain a Vehicle Import Approval from the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications (DITRDCA). The processing time for this approval can vary, with some sources suggesting a minimum of 21 days, while others state up to 60 business days. It is important to plan ahead and initiate the application process well in advance.
Once your vehicle arrives in Australia, it will be subject to customs clearance, and you may be required to pay customs duties and the Goods and Services Tax (GST). Additionally, a Luxury Car Tax of 33% is applicable if your vehicle's value exceeds a certain threshold, which was AU$65,094 in 2017-18 and AU$71,000 in subsequent years.
After customs clearance, your vehicle will undergo an inspection by the State department Motor Vehicle Registration service, similar to an MOT in other countries. They will examine the vehicle's roadworthiness, including safety, security, and environmental compliance. If your vehicle meets the standards, you will be issued a roadworthiness certificate.
To complete the registration process, present the roadworthiness certificate along with other vehicle documentation at the registration counter. Pay the registration and roadworthy examination fees, and you will receive a yearly registration label to be displayed in your vehicle, similar to a tax disc. Australian number plates will also be assigned to your vehicle.
It is important to note that vehicles equipped with air conditioners or refrigeration systems may require an import licence for ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and synthetic greenhouse gases (SGG). Additionally, ensure that your vehicle does not contain any asbestos, as the importation of asbestos into Australia is strictly prohibited.
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Frequently asked questions
Your car will need to comply with Australian design and safety standards, and it will need to be a right-hand drive vehicle. You will need to obtain a Vehicle Import Approval and allow at least 21 days for processing the request. You will also need to demonstrate that the vehicle has been available for you to drive at all times during the 12-month qualifying period.
There are standard costs levied by the port and local agent for handling your vehicle and completing customs clearance formalities. Customs duties and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) will also need to be paid. A customs valuation may also be requested, which will be at your expense and can cost around AU$500-700. A Luxury Car Tax of 33% is payable if your vehicle is worth over $65,094.
Your vehicle will be subject to biosecurity control upon arrival in Australia, so it is your responsibility to ensure that it is clean and free of contamination, both internally and externally. Your fuel tank must be less than 20% full, and no personal items can be stored in the vehicle.
