Austin International is widely experienced in the importation of motor vehicles and has represented both private and commercial importers over many years.
Whilst the importation of motor vehicles into Australia is a complex process that can be stressful, time consuming and costly, with our experience, we aim to relieve much of the stress and complexity, whether you are a private importer or an importer of commercial quantities.
The following information is provided as a guide only.  For detailed information on any issue, you should contact us directly or one of the relevant authorities listed. 
If you are a private importer, please see below
If you are a commercial importer, please click here for further information.

Private Importations
The following information is provided as a guide only.  For detailed information on any issue, you should contact us directly or one of the relevant authorities listed.
Permit to Import
Ozone Protection and Greenhouse Gas Management Laws
Getting Your Vehicle to Australia
Customs Clearance
Luxury Car Tax
Quarantine Clearance
Costs Estimate
Registration for Road Use
Additional Information
Contact Details

Permit to Import
Under no circumstances should you ship your vehicle to Australia without first obtaining a permit to import (unless your vehicle was previously registered in Australia).  The law provides for a "penalty" duty of A$12,000.00 per unit when vehicles are imported without a valid permit to import.
A permit to import is obtained by applying to the Department of Transport & Regional Services (DOIT).  Whilst processing times may vary depending on the nature of a particular application, you should allow approximately one month for the processing of your application by DOIT.  
Further information in relation to applications for a permit to import can be obtained from DOIT on:

Phone:   1800 815 272 and/or 02 6274 7111
Email:     imports@dotars.gov.au
Website: http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/safety/bulletin/importing.aspx

NOTE: Getting the permit from DOIT is only the first hurdle.  You must still complete Customs and Quarantine formalities before your vehicle will be available to you.

Ozone Protection and Greenhouse Gas Management Laws
With effect from 1 April 2004, vehicles equipped with an air conditioner are subject to Ozone Protection and Greenhouse Gas Management laws.  This includes ALL imported vehicles, whether new or used.
The law currently restricts the importation of certain air conditioning refrigerant and imposes strict requirements on the importation of motor vehicles equipped with air conditioning systems charged with such refrigerants.  If your vehicle is equipped with an air conditioning system charged with a restricted refrigerant, you MUST ensure you comply with the relevant requirements PRIOR to importing your vehicle into Australia. If you are unsure or don't know about your vehicle and the relevant requirements, you MUST take it to an air conditioner expert prior to shipment.
Further information in relation to Ozone Protection and Greenhouse Gas Management Laws can be obtained from the Department of the Environment and Heritage (DEH) on:

Phone:    02 6274 1373
Email:     ozone@deh.gov.au
Website: http://www.environment.gov.au/approvals/index.html

Getting Your Vehicle to Australia
With our extensive network of agents located throughout the world, when you are ready and have your permit to import available, Austin International is able to assist you in arranging for your vehicle to be shipped to Australia.
Our agents are able to assist with export clearance from the country of departure, with freight bookings for your shipment, and with all of the related actions and steps necessary, including steam cleaning to Quarantine (AQIS) standards, if required.
We also recommend that you arrange marine insurance cover for your vehicle (and any other goods) prior to shipment to Australia. To arrange marine insurance, you should contact a reputable insurance company or insurance broker. If requested, we can provide contact details for an insurance broker known to us.

Customs Clearance
Both Customs Duty and Goods & Services Tax (GST) are payable when vehicles are imported into Australia, including used vehicles for which a permit to import has been issued by DOIT. The only exception to this is vehicles over 30 years old.
Duty is calculated at the rate of 10% of the Customs Value (CV) for passenger motor vehicles, and 5% of CV for other than passenger motor vehicles. GST is calculated at 10% of the total of the CV, plus freight and transport costs to bring your vehicle to Australia, plus marine insurance costs (if you arrange for such insurance), plus the Customs Duty payable (if any).

Example of Duty and GST Calculations

CV = A$10,000

Duty @ 10% = A$1,000

Freight = A$1,000

Insurance = A$120

GST @ 10% = A$10,000 + A$1,000 + A$120 + A$1000 (=$12,120)

= A$1,212

Total duty/tax = A$2,212

Luxury Car Tax
In addition to Duty and GST, Luxury Car Tax (LCT) may be payable if the value of your vehicle exceeds the LCT threshold (A$57,123 for the 2007/08 financial year). If you believe that your vehicle might be subject to LCT, please contact us for further explanations, or use the link provided to go to the Australian Taxation Office web site for further information. If applicable, LCT must be paid before clearance of your vehicle can be finalised.

Quarantine Clearance
The Australian Quarantine & Inspection Service (AQIS) insists on all vehicles imported into Australia being thoroughly clean and free of all possible sources of concern before they will authorise clearance. This means that your vehicle must be thoroughly steam cleaned either before shipment from the overseas country of departure or after arrival in Australia, but prior to completion of clearance formalities. We recommend that you arrange for your vehicle to be steam cleaned before it is shipped as it is usually more expensive to have this done in Australia after arrival.

Costs Estimate
If you would like us to do so, we are happy to provide you with an assessment of your proposed vehicle importation, and provide information on the likely costs and charges for duty, taxes, etc. We can also assess the documentation that you have available if you wish. Our charge for providing this service is typically A$125.00.
Please contact us directly for further information in relation to cost estimates.
IMPORTANT NOTE: To assist you avoiding needless expenses such as wharf storage, it is essential that we receive all required documentation as early as possible, before your vehicle arrives in Australia. Delays, errors and omissions can be very costly!

Registration for Road Use
Imported vehicles must be registered for road use with the relevant State or Territory Government Authority after completion of clearance formalities. In NSW this is the Roads & Traffic Authority (RTA). A suitable certificate from an engineer accredited by the RTA is normally necessary before the RTA will issue you with a registration certificate for road use. A certificate from an accredited engineer is normally required to verify that your vehicle complies with Australian Standards. Accredited engineers charge for their services, and this varies from vehicle to vehicle, depending on what is required to achieve compliance. Details of accredited engineers can be obtained from the RTA in NSW (or its equivalent in other states).In some Australian states and territories it is also necessary to obtain a permit from the relevant authority to drive your vehicle from the arrival wharf if that is your preferred method of delivery. This is something that you will have to do yourself, if you chose to drive the vehicle from the arrival wharf, as this is not a service that we provide.

Additional Information
For further details in relation to any of the information provided on this website, please contact Austin International directly or one of the relevant authorities listed.

Contact Details
Austin International Trade Services
Level 2, 1753 Botany Road
Banksmeadow  NSW  2019
Phone: +612 9666 6999
Fax:     +612 9316 7706
Email:  austin@austin.com.au

Commercial Importations
If you are interested in the importation of vehicles into Australia on a commercial basis, then we strongly recommend that you go to the Department of Transport & Regional Services (DOIT) web site and obtain all of the relevant information. There are stringent requirements for the commercial importation of vehicles into Australia and you must be in a position to satisfy those requirements before you commit to any commercial importation.
It is also important to recognise that there are particular Customs requirements that must be satisfied. Of course, we can assist you with all of your Customs formalities.

Further information in relation to the commercial importation of vehicles into Australia can be obtained from DOIT and the Australian Customs Service (ACS). 

DOIT
Phone:   1800 815 272 and/or 02 6274 7111
Email:     imports@dotars.gov.au
Website: http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roads/safety/bulletin/importing.aspx

ACS
Phone:   1300 363 263 and/or 02
Email:     information@customs.gov.au
Website: www.customs.gov.au

Low Volume Scheme
The Low Volume Scheme administered by DOIT allows for the importation of NEW vehicles for supply to the market in Australia of up to 25 or 100 vehicles per year, per vehicle category. This Scheme provides a major concession and allows for alternative forms of evidence to be submitted to DOIT against some of the Australian Design Rules (ADR's) in order to satisfy the relevant conditions etc.
The Low Volume Scheme for NEW vehicles is limited to makes/models that are on the register of Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicles (the Register). The eligibility requirements for entry on the register are set out in Regulation 24 of the Motor Vehicle Standards Regulations 1989, and in Circular 0-2-12 published by the Administrator of Vehicle Standards.

For more information, please contact DOIT on:

Phone 02 6274 7498 or by email roger.payne@dotars.gov.au

Links to Relevant Web Sites:

Australian Customs Service
www.customs.gov.au

DOIT
www.dotars.gov.au

Australian Quarantine & Inspection Service
www.aqis.gov.au

Australian Taxation Office
www.ato.gov.au

Department of Environment and Heritage
www.deh.gov.au/atmosphere/ozone

RTA of NSW
www.rta.nsw.gov.au

For further details in relation to any of the information provided on this website, please contact Austin International directly or one of the relevant authorities listed.

Contact Details

Austin International Trade Services
Level 2, 1753 Botany Road
Banksmeadow  NSW  2019

Phone: +612 9666 6999
Fax:     +612 9316 7706
Email:  austin@austin.com.au