Importing a car to Australia

Importing a car to Australia

Author
Discussion

NSNO

Original Poster:

384 posts

157 months

Monday 2nd January 2012
quotequote all
I know that there is a sticky on this topic but I couldn't find the answers to my question.

I am moving to Australia next week and I want to bring my car to Australia. However I do not currently have the funds to do this. I have owned the car for twelve months, so can I still import it to Australia after I will have been residing there for a few months?

On a separate note, can I pack my car with personal possessions such as clothes, electrical goods, alcohol for export?

Bibbs

3,733 posts

215 months

Tuesday 3rd January 2012
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This is what I've heard, so might be wrong. But it's a starter.

You can import it whenever you like as long as you've owned it 12months (and you can import one car like this every 5 years).

You can load it up with anything (legal) you like, but you'll still pay any duty owed and the guys at the docks who have to clean and inspeact the car don't tend to like it.

ukdennis

167 posts

223 months

Tuesday 3rd January 2012
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If you do RORO (lots cheaper than a dedicated container) then you'll probably get your booze (and anything else of more than nominal value) nicked by some tea leaf in the handling chain. You can't insure anything packed in a RORO car. Happened to me ... 3 bottles of good (but not that expensive) plonk I didn't have time to drink before the car was due to be shipped!

NSNO

Original Poster:

384 posts

157 months

Wednesday 18th January 2012
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Ok thanks for the heads up ukdennis.

Can anyone confirm if I am allowed to sell my car over here. I am on a 457 visa and was under the impression that as long as I got the car through customs and into the country that I was free to sell it. However someone has told me that you must be a permanent resident or citizen to sell your car. Is this true?

liam27

5 posts

155 months

Wednesday 18th January 2012
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Can't see why you couldn't sell the car here, but I don't know a lot about 457 visas. I imagine if it is kosher for you to import the car then it should be kosher to flog it off.

It was a long time ago now (mid 90s), but my Mk1 GTI was a personal import from the UK and was sold within 12 months of the guy arriving in Australia.

linkup1234

40 posts

260 months

Thursday 19th January 2012
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RORO is the lowest 'risk' method. I've just had my 2 cars come into Sydney in Jan with Cargo Online and the complianced with Complete Car Care in Seven Hills. Both were very good and Complete Car Care were superb. Would recommend them both as they worked seamlessly.

linkup1234

40 posts

260 months

Thursday 19th January 2012
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Doh! I meant a Container is the lowest risk method!

djt77

267 posts

230 months

Thursday 19th January 2012
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What sort of car is it? Where are you heading to? Price, these things will dictate if you can sell it or not

Todzilla

237 posts

180 months

Thursday 19th January 2012
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Another vote for Complete Car Care - they did my car 6 months ago. Very good, quick and comprehensive... and there were some lovely cars in their lot when I went to pick mine up.

I wouldn't put anything in your car as it will slow things up massively - customs guys will have to unpack the car to check everything which will incur costs - there are enough of these as it is; $500 to steam clean the mud from the bottom of the car - i think some bloke just waves a hose in your wheel-arches judging by how thorough the clean on my car was - is just one example.

With regards to the Visa and selling cars issue, I can't see how they could keep track of your car - if it's registered and insured for the road you can do pretty much what you want with it... but don't quote me!

Brisvegas

140 posts

164 months

Tuesday 24th January 2012
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I wouldn't have thought you could bring your vehicle in on a 457 visa as you are not moving permanently to Australia. You could bring your vehicle over here and use it whilst living here with a 457 visa. When you return you would have to take the vehicle with you, you couldn't sell it here as you couldn't get an Oz compliance plate for it. Your intentions may be to eventually live here permanently when you arrive but with a 457 visa as your entry method you can,t establish that fact.
IMHO.

Tony

Onionboy 1

1 posts

151 months

Wednesday 8th February 2012
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Sorry Brisvegas, but this is inaccurate. 457 visa has no baring on importing and selling your imported car. If the vehicle is agreed access, all payments made for importing and taxation, the vehicle passes local checks and is registered in Australia then you can use and sell it.

Personal imports is 1 per every named driver every 5yrs.

However knowing up front/ getting a complete (all in) figure for importing and registering the car into Australia has been the biggest challenge.

deviant

4,316 posts

215 months

Wednesday 8th February 2012
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Onionboy 1 said:
Sorry Brisvegas, but this is inaccurate. 457 visa has no baring on importing and selling your imported car. If the vehicle is agreed access, all payments made for importing and taxation, the vehicle passes local checks and is registered in Australia then you can use and sell it.

Personal imports is 1 per every named driver every 5yrs.

However knowing up front/ getting a complete (all in) figure for importing and registering the car into Australia has been the biggest challenge.
It is relvant to the personal import scheme, you can only use that scheme if you are moving here permanently.

ariddell

440 posts

234 months

Thursday 9th February 2012
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I brought my personal import in when i was coming over initially on a 457, just had to declare that it was my intention to apply for p.r. after arriving.

deviant

4,316 posts

215 months

Thursday 9th February 2012
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Yep...it is the intention to stay they want to hear.