My partner and I both have dual nationality (NZ/UK) and are planning on exporting my 4x4 to Australia (probably shipping from India/Bangladesh) at the end of our trip. Has anyone else done this? I am having difficulty establishing whether Oz customs will issue us with 'Vehicle Import Approval" before we leave the UK, when the vehicle will not actually be shipped from the UK.
We will have a carnet, but can't take the vehicle into Austalia with a carnet as it could only stay 12 months and could apparently NEVER be imported. . . .

any advice appreciated

Huey

Huey.

We have just tried and failed to import a motorcyle to Australia, it really is increadibly difficult (if not impossible).

As long as you have owned the vehicle for longer than 12 months there is no problem. If you haven't you will need a letter of compliance from the original manufacturer to state the vehicle complied with Australian Design Rules (ADR)at the time it was manufactured, it is very unlikely you will get this. It may be possible to get an agreement with a partner called a RAW who are registered workshops that have the right to import and modify certain vehicles to meet with ADR's.

You will need to check all of this with Customs Australia there web site is www.customs.gov.au. You can find out their telephone number and leave a message and they will call you back.

NB. Of most importance, as you rightly suggest you must have Import Approval prior to shipping the vehicle to Australia. If the vehicle arrives without import approval it will be deported to its country of origin (at your cost).

However, after saying all of the above. I would suggest its not really worth taking a vehicle into OZ, not only is it an increadibly expensive excercise. You will find it will be far cheaper to by a 4x4 over there, after you take into account the customs duty on the vehicle will be about 25-30% of its value and it will not be cheap to ship the vehicle either.

Goodluck
Ashley

Ashley,

Thanks for your sound advice. Was your bike less than twelve months old then? By the time we leave the UK I will have owned the landy for over 12 months - so at least we've got this in our favour . ..
I'm in communication with Australian customs (via email) - and am slowly getting answers, but as of yet they havn't said whether we can get the import permission in advance. You are right re the expense - silly money, again I am waiting to hear whether its classified as and "off road vehicle" (if it isn't, what is?) which will bring the import tax down considerably.
As we are planning on repatriating ourselves to Oz I feel like getting on my knees and pleading with them!
Fingers crossed.

Huey

Click the link on the left "Carnet de Passage" - there is good relevant info there. There shouldn't be a problem getting the import approval, but you definitely want to get everything completely sorted before you leave. They are being VERY sticky.

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Grant Johnson

Seek, and ye shall find.
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One world, Two wheels.
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

__________________
Grant Johnson
Seek, and ye shall find.
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Inspiring, Informing and Connecting travellers since 1997!
www.HorizonsUnlimited.com

Grant,

Sticky? Nice understatement! There's been a few slightly stronger words in my house this week. . .
Despite numerous emails backwards and forwards they STILL won't clear up one vital point:
Basically Oz customs say "Import Approval" won't be granted until we have entry stamps in our passports - but they haven't made it clear whether this is a formaility or not.
In our circumstances we will HAVE to ship the vehicle before leaving foreign port - entry stamps will not be a problem BUT if they then decide not to issue approval ?
Their rules are SO tight, I don't see what can be gained, especially with import taxes being so high . . .
Thanks all.

Huey

Please allow me to add my 2 cents worth. I've imported 3 veichles ( all motorbikes ) into Aus over the years. The most recent being Dec last year. I'll never bother again! Permission to import should be granted to yourself once you have lodged a mountain of paperwork with the relevant state registering aurthority. Briefly this includes proof of ownership, reciept from purchase, rego papers, insurance etc. It takes up to 6 months to recieve. Have the " info package" sent out to yourselves from Australia house in London. The number being 02073794334. Duty payed this end is determined fron 2 criteria. Firstly it's value. Customs will normally accept what ever you tell them. Just don't be too silly. Secondly there are incremental reductions, depending on how long you have owned the vechicle abroard, up to 5 years. There are all manor of other fees to pay, of which there is no avoidence. Bear in mind Englands recent Foot and Mouth out break. Chance's are that quarrentine will demand that the car be steam cleaned, particularly seeing that it is a 4X4. The last I saw, an old Landy was as cheap as chips here in Aus. Just a couple of thousand pacific pesos. Unless you have a particular attachment to the car I just wouldn't bother. You probably didn't want to hear that, but like I said at the start, It's just my 2 cents worth!

Oh I forgot! As was correctly pointed out a VIN number and engineers report ( more costs, possibly up to $600 ) is required for registration purposes. Unless the rules have changed in the last year. These can be obtained once the vechicle is in the country. The eng report can only be obtained from RTA ( road traffic aurthority ) approved engineers. There is a list of engineers available from all vechicle registering offices. If you are bringing the car into Victoria, I could possibly be of help to you, having found a sympathetic engineer in melbourne. A Land Drover, If in near original condition shouldn't present tooooo many problems. If it varys from Australian design rules in effect at the time of manufacture, then you will be required to modify the car so as it does conform. I know you didn't want to hear this, but that, I'm affraid is how it is, Graeme.

gperkins - thanks for info - I've resigned myself to the costs - the vehicle is worth more to me than its price, if you know what I mean. Even with all the costs I think it'll be cheaper than buying another (its a '93 110 Hardtop) in Australia . . . .
We are melbourne bound so that engineers details would be usefull.

Many thanks again

Huey

If there is a chance you'll ever move back home to NZ why not ship it there?

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Salut from Southern France, the bikers' paradise,

Jenny & Peter.

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Cheers,
Peter.

Europe to NZ 2006-10

I commend your stubbeness, you must be a stout individual! Anyhow, the engineer I used in Melbourne and recommend is, "Cartech" and they can be found at 65 Butler st, Richmond, Melb. Ph no 0394277344. All the best, Graeme.