Importing a car....can you bring in brand new?

[Jader1973]

I am having an argument with my manager. He is thinking of importing a second hand Boxster from the UK to Aus.

I say you can only import a car to Aus if you've owned and used it overseas for 12 months prior. Anything other than that has to be on the SEVS list.

He says I'm talking rubbish because he has a mate who has imported 3 Hilux from Thailand, and that you can bring in anything you want if you are prepared to pay the import duty.

All I can think of is that they are brand new, unregistered and his mate is importing then as such and paying duty etc.

Or, my manager is talking nonsense, and they aren't actually Hilux.

Or, his mate is doing something very dodgy.

Any ideas?

[deviant]

Really there is no way to import a vehicle like that unless you use the personal import scheme. There are not any RAWS or SEVS set up for the Hilux name, if there was it would have to be a significantly different body style to anything available here.

Are they pre-1989 Hilux? Could also be imported as race / rally cars.

I think your boss is full of st

[Jader1973]

That is exaclty what I thought. Boss is certain however.

Maybe I'll just keep quiet and watch his reaction when his Boxster gets impounded at the wharf

[Bibbs]

ANF11 said:

although they could have some wierd name

The modern pickup is a "Vigo" (not on the list).

The earlier 4Runner/Prado types were a "Hilux Surf" (not on the list).

There are now 4Tuners too (not on the list).

The Tundra (on the list) is acutally a full size pickup for the US, not the mid size that the Hilux is.

[madazrx7]

You know you are right, don't bother arguing if he won't take advice, just get him to put his money where his mouth is and take a bet on the outcome...