Carmen Import Centre & Auto Care

CarMen Import Centre has decided not to continue with our Government licensing as a RAWS. We are only able to assist with Personal Imports

How else can I bring in a vehicle to Australia?

Importation Regulations are strict - there are no loopholes.

Please take the time to read the following and go to the links provided.  CarMen Import Centre is unable to answer any questions other than what is provided on our website.  If the vehicle you want to import does not fall into the below categories, it will not be eligible.  Emailing or phoning us will not change the Government Regulations.

Knowing what you should (and should not) do will save you time, money, and frustration.  Current regulation ruling by The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government (DOTARS)approves vehicle importing by 3 methods:

• RAWS
• ADR REQUIREMENTS
• 1 JANUARY 1989 RULE
• PERSONAL IMPORTS
• ASSOCIATED COSTS
• OTHER USEFUL INFO
• CUSTOMS
• QUARANTINE
• LINKS

What is the RAWS scheme?

The Registered Automotive Workshop Scheme involves using a RAWS Workshop to comply a vehicle to Australian Design Rules (ADR's) .

In order for a RAW (Registered Automotive Workshop) to make your car compliant, the vehicle must be on the Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicle Scheme List (SEVS) and listed as eligible for importing.  If it is not listed, it either has not been submitted for approval yet - or it is classified as not eligible for importation.  Please follow the links for a comprehensive listing of SEVS approved vehicles.

For a vehicle to qualify through SEVS, it must pass at least 2 of the 4 criteria:
•    Be significantly different in appearance to vehicles sold new in Australia. 
•    Have unusual design features to anything sold new locally. 
•    Performance greater than 105kw/ton, or unusually good economy. 
•    Be featured in specialist publications (e.g. High performance imports, Zoom, etc.)

What are ADR Requirements?

Items on an import vehicle that may be required to meet Australian Design Rules are fitment of:

•    Child Restraint Anchors 
•    Catalytic Converter if needed 
•    Mirrors may need to be replaced
•    New Tyres (not included in Carmen Compliance quoted price) 
•    Filters and Fluids Replaced

This list is not inclusive, however gives you an overview.  A RAW cannot comply a car that is damaged or rusted.

A RAW must apply for an import application on your behalf, comply the vehicle to ADR standards, and plate it with import and identification plates.  A vehicle must be in roadworthy condition to be complied.   Any items required to pass RAWS Compliance, such as removal of previously installed modifications, minor repairs and safety certificate requirements are an additional expense and must be performed prior to a vehicle being approved by the Department.

What about Personal Imports?

CarMen Import Centre takes the hassle out of compliance for your Personal Import

What's the January 1st, 1989 Rule?

CarMen Import Centre is unable to assist with vehicles which fall in this category.

If a vehicle was manufactured before 1st January 1989, there is no need for a compliance plate.  However, it still requires a Vehicle Import Approval for it to enter Australia and may need modification and plating affixed to meet registration requirements.

Are there other Associated Costs of Importing?

The cost of importing a car is not only what you pay to the seller/exporter.  Other costs include:

• Sea freight
• Customs duties and Clearance charges
• Compliance fees
• On road registration costs

What Other Useful Information can you tell me?

It is your responsibility to engage the services of a RAW capable of importing your vehicle before the car is shipped.  A RAW will apply for your Import Approval.

If you are importing outside the RAWS scheme (personal import or vehicle manufactured prior to 1st January, 1989), you must apply for a Personal Import Approval yourself from DOTARS .  It is strongly recommended to allow 17 days for application processing and to receive the Import Approval prior to shipment.

Before your vehicle arrives at port, you must already have an import approval or you may face prosecution and significant storage costs.  Additionally, you may be charged by Customs a duty fee of $12,000 AUD.  Any vehicle that has arrival and has been rejected due to rust, corrosion or contamination may either need to be exported out of Australia or destroyed. Left Hand Drive vehicles usually must be converted which is expensive.

Remember…
•    Don't import anything less than a 3.5 Inspection Grade as it will cost a lot to repair.
•    In all situations, the vehicle must have an Import Approval. 
•    Insurance for imports can be expensive so shop around first.

Customs

Once you have Import Approval and the vehicle arrives, you will need to pay Customs and have a Quarantine Inspection.  You must pay Customs:
•    Duty 
•    GST (Goods and Services Tax) 
•    LCT (Luxury Car Tax) if applicable

This generally done through a Customs Broker.

Quarantine Inspection

All vehicles imported into Australia must be inspected by AQIS to verify that there is no "Quarantine Risk Material" (QRM). This process can produce additional costs if there is a need for cleaning.  Areas checked for contamination are:

•    Wheels, muffler and muffler surrounds, wheel guards, and mud guards
•    Spare tyre(s) and boot 
•    Engine bay and radiator (from debris in cooling fins) 
•    Underside of Vehicle 
•    Above and around fuel tank 
•    Inside chassis rails 
•    Interior of Vehicle 

After inspection, if your vehicle is found to be clean it will be released from quarantine.  If the vehicle is found to be unacceptably contaminated, it will not be allowed entry and will have to be re-exported.  If the vehicle is contaminated with low levels of quarantine risk material, it will be subject to one or more of the following treatments:

•    Steam Cleaning 
•    High Pressure Cleaning 
•    Disinfecting 
•    Vacuuming 

All costs associated with quarantine inspections, storage of goods, and any treatments will be at the importer's expense.

Government Agency Website Links

Personal Import Approval Application
Road Vehicle Certification System (SEVS List of Importable Vehicles under the RAWS scheme) 
DOTARS RAWS Search  
Customs - Importing a Motor Vehicle
Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service