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The Australian Government made significant changes to the rules for importing motor vehicles in 2003. These rules are very different to what was approved for import in the past. Knowing what you should (and should not) do will save you time, money, and frustration. CarMen has put together some quick reference info to make importing a motor vehicle easier for you.
Current regulation ruling by The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government (DOTARS) approves vehicle importing by 3 methods:
• RAWS (Registered Automotive Workshop Scheme)
• 1 January 1989 (Built Before)
• Personal Importing (Owned 12 months overseas in use)
CONTENTS
RAWS (Registered Automotive Workshop Scheme)
ADR REQUIREMENTS
1 JANUARY 1989 RULE
PERSONAL IMPORTS
ASSOCIATED COSTS
OTHER USEFUL INFO
CUSTOMS
QUARANTINE
LINKS
RAWS (Registered Automotive Workshop Scheme):
The Registered Automotive Workshop Scheme involves using a RAWS Workshop to comply a vehicle
to Australian Design Rules (ADR's) . CarMen Import Centre is a RAWS approved facility.
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.)
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.
For Further information on Personal Imports click here
1 January 1989 Rule:
If a vehicle was manufactured before 1 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 to be
modified and have a modification plate affixed to meet registration requirements.
If the vehicle you want to import is manufactured after 1 January 1989 and not a personal import, you must use a Registered Automotive Workshop (RAW).
Associated costs of importing:
The cost of importing a car is not only what you pay to the seller/exporter. There are many other
costs you should know before importing, including freight, customs duties, compliance fees and on
road registration costs. For a comprehensive estimation on the cost of importing your vehicle, contact
us via email.
Other useful Information:
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 an 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
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
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
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Importing Vehicles into Australia
