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Temporary Imports to Australia
In accordance with the provisions of certain international conventions on road traffic, Australia recognises the temporary import of vehicles for a period of less than 12 months by visiting foreign nationals of signatory countries who hold a visitor's visa.
In this category vehicles may be allowed entry in one of two ways:
$50.00 application fee (for category (b) above), purchase document, current overseas registration document valid for the period of the visit, passport pages showing nationality, and Australian visitor's visa. Light at the end of the tunnel, no local registration required. You need to download the application form VSB10 from http://www.dotars.gov.au/transport/s...VSB10_Form.pdf and the explanatory leaflet from http://www.dotars.gov.au/transport/s.../pdf/VSB10.pdf ------------code fixed by Grant----------- |
I have just undergone the whole procedure in Perth 2 weeks ago. I entered on te Carnet basis.
The most important issue is to have the vehicle in a very clean condition. Especially the underside, mudguards, tyres are inspected by the quarantine office. So make sure to have it well cleaned before getting it ready for freight. The fees in Oz (applies to Western Australia) are as follows: 1. The freighter (Quantas in my case) asked 125 AUD handling charge. 2. Customs were free. 3. Quarantine inspection (AQIS) wanted 90 AUD 4. The vehicle inspection centre cost me 60 AUD This was necessary in order to get my bike registered. A kind of roadworthiness test. 5. Licensing office charged me 80 AUD. This included the mandatory 3rd party insurance. Normally you do not need to have your vehicle registered, when entering a country on a temporary import basis, but for Oz this is compulsory. You do not register it in the general sense, getting an Oz registration no., but your registration no is entered in the computer system. In Perth the freighters are all near the international airport, so is of course customs and quarantine. Quantas is situated in the Affleck Rd. The vehicle inspection can be done in Perth East, 20 Bronte St. The licensing deptm is in the Sutherland St. Streetmap can be aquired at the inspection centre. To get to the international airport there are two possibilities: taxi or shuttle. No public transport. Shuttle can be booked under phone (08) 1300 666 806. |
Vaufi, I've just read that Western Australia does not accept any other Australian State's "overseas registered vehicle permit", can you check your permit and see if it is valid outside of Western Australia?
I'm just wondering how the hell you get an overseas regsitered vehicle permit when crossing into WA from South Australia or the Northern Territory - theres nothing for miles! |
Roger, My wife and I are importing our bikes under Carnet into Sydney. As I see it, EVERY state requires An 'Overseas Registered Vehicle Permit' to be purchased seperatley, for that particular state!
The 'Permit' is simply 3rd party insurance, as I understand it. If the cost of the inspection is $60 and the 'permit' is $80 per state, it all begins to look alittle ridiculous. Ridiculous laws need to be ignored. Do the right thing, as we intend to do. Once your bike has cleared customs, and the nice customs man gives you the address of the Reistry office, point your bike in the other direction and leg it! |
Where I live in Queensland an unregistered, uninsured vehicle gets its number plates removed on the spot, and the coppers can impound the vehicle until the owner fixes up the problem. The "on the spot hooning" laws have given a lot of power to the coppers, just be very wary of being stopped by the police as your vehicle/bike will immediately come up as unregistered and uninsured when they do a rego check in the national database.
Remember that third party injury insurance is compulsory in all Australian States - its not for you, but the person you may injure. If you do have an accident and injure someone, you may condemn them or their family to a life of poverty because you dont want to buy insurance. |
Following on from Roger's prior point, I did also read about each state requiring separate insurance. However, last year I e-mailed the WA authorities and told them I was planning to take insurance in Darwin NT - they said that would be fine and nothing more was required in WA. Sadly I have deleted the e-mail.
Also when we took out the insurance had bikes inspected in Darwin they felt that their third party insurance was valid for all of Australia. Would also add that the whole process in Darwin was very efficient. Our bikes were unpacked from the container, inspected and cleared by quarantine (AQIS), cleared by customs, inspected for roadworthiness and insured on the same day. sydney could be a different matter. |
Sorry for not answering, but I was travelling through the bush - no cell net, no internet ;-)
I asked the WA licensing authorities if the 3rd party insurance I purchased in Perth would be valid for all of Oz. She couldn't tell me. She believes, yes. So that means I'll be travelling, happily believing I'm covered ;-) Additionally to that I've still got my German 3rd party insurance and was told that it's valid for Oz as well. So, no worries... But I suppose everybody has to decide that for himself. |
An update
After arriving in Sydney, we waited a couple of days and our bikes were duly released from Customs and Quarantine.
We decided to take Roger's advice, and get a TIVP (temporary imported vehicle permit) and hope that this would cover us for the other states as well. So off to Botany RTA, and hand over the Carnet's etc. The lady behind the desk took one look at the Carnet's and said " Oh look, I've hit the jackpot! I've never seen one of these before!" Not a good start. Anyway, after looking up the info she had on her screen, consulting with some colleagues, and ringing head office on the 'Help Line', she told us that we don't need a permit anymore, just the Carnet's and current rego in the country of origin. We then showed her a copy of the info we had printed of the NRMA website, back home, that said we did need the permit, saftey inspection and CTP insurance. After having a good read, she asked us where we got it from. When we told her "the web", she said " I think your NZ web is out of date" !!?? So, what do we do now? Any Suggestions? Should we try another RTA? Surely the Botany RTA, being one of the larger offices in Sydney, and the closest to Australia's largest port, would know how to handle this? Can we buy some CTP Insurance without the TIVP? Any help appreciated. In the meantime, we ride on, secure in the knowledge that Betty, from Botany RTA, said it would be OK! |
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On the 'third party insurance' - yes you have to have it, and having got it in one state it is valid in the other states. As for the registration .. it would be good news if they finally have realised their overseas obligations and have stoped that stuff about inspections and plates etc... ---- The carnet has nothing to do with registration, insurance ... it is a customs thing... ---- I'll do some ringing around latter. |
Rang the RTA NSW -
If the vehicle is regoed overseas and that is current then no problem. Must carry and display the rego plates and country oval.. but that is all. If it becomes unregistered while here it must them be registered here.. This is what I think is stipulated by 'our' overseas agreements .. so things are good. Third party insurance (personal) is covered by the nominal defendant (government takes it on the chin)... That is a bonus! Note that the government may come after you .. not a good thing. So ... in NSW at least ... very easy indeed. ----------------------- Ok ... there are several issues 1) Getting the bike into Australia - Customs thing .. DOTARs etc .. carnet .. Temporary importation etc 2) Quarantine Bike has to be really clean to stop bugs and things getting here ... 3) Registration must be 'road worthy' as demonstrated by a registration ... 4) Minimum insurance In NSW this is third party personal .. Items 1 and 2 are handled by the 'federal' government - Australia wide so it should be the same anywhere in the country. Items 3 and 4 are 'state' government so may vary form one place to the other. However if you start in one state and meet their requirements you should be able to travel from state to state... maybe. |
Good luck with the ride Murray. When you get back, show me the pictures and tell the stories!
Regards Nigel in NZ |
Frank, Thanks for your research. We are now inYackandandah Vic, and have had no problems. Hopefully the local cops are as up to date with the new import laws as you are!
Most of them seem preoccupied with the Phillip Island crowd to be bothered with us, long may it last. Nigel, we may not be home for a while, we see ourselves here for 6-12months before shipping to Timor, then who knows where. Though business matters may force us home for a short while towards december. Which posses another obsticle. The Carnets don't allow us to travel out of the country without the bikes. The guy from the AA in NZ who issued them told us this, then said ... "but in the real world, people do." Are we best just to jump the plane and not mention the Carnet's? We would probably be back within a week or so. Our Shipping agent in Sydney had us courier the Carnet's ahead of us, so he could clear the bikes, ready for us, so maybe we could just sneak out and back in again without attracting too much attention? Kathy is working on our website. kathyandmurray.com It may not be up yet, but will be soon. |
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I just met a Swiss girl who imported her bike on a carnet basis to Perth for half a year. The bloody beaurocrats in the licensing department in Perth forced her to register her bike with an Oz numberplate. Can you imagine such bullshit ?#@*&!!
Besides that - she had her bike shipped to Freemantle where she was told that she can only get it through customs in Perth itself. So she had to find a freighter who transported the bike to Perth. And for these few k's he charged her 800 AUD ..... Hans |
So, by reading the original post, I can either take our bikes to Australia without a carnet, or with a carnet. Is that the gist of the thing? And if we don't have carnets, then we must have sufficient insurance (is that our home insurance or insurance we purchase in Australia), the registration from our home country and the bills of lading and bills of sale with us.
Is that right?? If so, then are there any taxes we have to pay upon entering with our bikes? |
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Separate them up- Customs - Duty and taxes on imported things .. If you have a carnet then you don't pay them as the carnet says you will be taking them out again - so they don't stay. If you don't have the carnet then you will be charged. When you leave with the goods you'll get some (not all) of your money back. Insurance- this is third party personal insurance required by law to be able to use the public road .. if you're racing on a race circuit only - you don't need this. Registration. The bike (or car etc) must be registered. It can be an overseas rego .. but it must be current. The insurance and rego are state based .. so that changes a little between places. The Customs is country wide .. should be the same every where in Australia. Lastly - Quarantine .. we don't want your bugs! If your vehicle is not judged clean (can you eat off it?) then it will be cleaned .. and you'll pay for it to be done. Other charges – yep. Docking fees, storage fees handling fees .. nothing is free. |
So, to boil it all down.
When I have a carnet, I do not pay Duty & Taxes when arriving with my bikes. If I have managed to acquire international insurance with comp, liab, 3rd party, etc., I still have to purchase 3rd party for (maybe) different states. Upon arrival, the bikes are stored, Quarantines & Inspected, which I have to pay for. Is that right? PS. My bikes are always spotless, and knowing they will be undergoing an inspection, I will probably tear them down and show-clean them, just to be on the safe side. |
Well boiled down! Yes.
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Alternatively..........
After reading all of this, I have a brother on Melbourne, and would like to ride there, I cant help thinking it would be easier and cheaper to buy/hire a bike when you get to OZ and leave it there. There are anumber of trips I would like to make, but not there and back, one way only. It would seem foolish to buy a bike in the UK and then fly it to OZ. No use buying a bike in OZ and riding it back to the UK as it would be very difficult to register :(
Given that you cant actually 'ride' all the way round, would it debase a RTW trip to have different bikes for different bits ? |
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There are some virtues to one bike per continent! Cost of shipping and insurance etc hassles versus set up on every new bike. One couple I know buy the exact same bike everywhere they go. Makes it easy - same setup, same spares, etc. |
Coming into Australia
VISA
we got an 6 months touristvisa, which costs us 70 Aus $, ca. 50 Euro. under 30 years you will get easily a visa to working and travelling. It is very easy to find a job for travellers here Here you can get your visa online without any hassle http://www.immi.gov.au/visitors/index.htm TO BRING YOUR VEHICLE INTO AUSTRALIA A Carnet de Passages makes it easier! Information abot that from the australian Automobil Club http://www.aaa.asn.au/touring/bringing.htm#wa LICENCE We needed a technical check, which was easy. Then an insurance for the bikes Cost for 6 months: 75 Aus $, ca. 50 Euro you DO NOT need an australian numberplate!!!!!!!!!!! http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/licensing/566.asp |
@ ArcticHarleyMan
check the following government website: http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=4371 You've got two possibilities for temporary imports a) With a carnet, which makes things easier, but requires you to pay a deposit at the bank/automobile association or whatever. b) Obtain a 'VEHICLE IMPORT APPROVAL' well in advance (see above site) Regardless of a) or b) your vehicle has to undergo a technical inspection and after that it has to be registered at the licensing office, where your foreign rego is just entered into the computer. YOU DO NOT NEED AN OZ REGO as some ignorant clerks at the licensing office believe. The above mentioned government link states explicitly: >>Vehicle registration Customs has no control or authority over motor vehicle or motorcycle specifications or registration requirements in Australia. Before bringing your vehicle to Australia, you should check with the motor vehicle registration authorities of the State or Territory where it is intended to be registered to ensure that it will meet their registration requirements. Vehicles can be temporarily imported and legally driven on Australian roads for the period of carnet validity (or temporary importation period) provided registration is still current in the vehicle's country of origin.<< You definitely need a local 3rd party insurance, irrespective of any insurance you have from your home country. Regarding this, also check the following link: http://www.aaa.asn.au/touring/bringing.htm Here you will find the complete info you need. And buggar me - I registered my bike in WA. This was accepted in all other Oz states. BUT: If you register your vehicle in another state, this is NOT accepted in WA. Can you believe that!?! May I quote the RAAC: >> If a permit has been issued to an overseas registered vehicle in another State or Territory of Australia, that permit is not acceptable in Western Australia. << :-(( Hans |
vehicle imports to australia
I have just this week completed the temporary import of a toyota land cruiser into australia and i think its all been covered above..ive written about it on my website www.gonewandering.co.uk but to summarise it (as i undertsand it) this what happened to me
Customs we had carnet du passage and a two minute inspection was easy "have you and explosives guns or drugs!" Quarantine a very very very thorough check of everything and he said "im looking for anything to send yu to the cleaners..he didnt find anything but i had spent three days cleaning every bloody corner the quarantine inpsection cost £80 48 hour permit to drive this you get over the phone and it allows you to drive from the port to a vehicle inspection station £10 vehicle inspection they checked lights indicators wheel bearings and then took it for a test drive £42 license you go to the vehicle licensing section who look at the certificate of road worthiness, proof of identiy and your carnet. they then issue you with a license which cost £80 for four months. your now legal and insured against third party personal accident, she told me that i was legal for all states..but what the hell do i know???? third party property insurance costs abot £120 for four months all in all a pain in the arse, and only just about breakeven (with the cost of shipping) to hiring ..so why did i import it?? well obviously i am stupid |
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