Biosecurity & Quarantine (DAFF) Guide — Importing Cars from Japan
When a vehicle arrives in Australia it must clear DAFF (Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry).
DAFF’s job is simple but strict: make sure nothing harmful (soil, seeds, mould, pests, asbestos) comes into Australia on a car.
Even a small amount of dirt in a wheel arch can trigger an inspection or treatment — and that can add time and cost to your import.
Why biosecurity matters
Australia’s quarantine rules are among the toughest in the world. DAFF will inspect for any organic matter or contamination that could affect
agriculture, native plants or ecosystems. If a vehicle fails an inspection it can be moved to an approved decontamination facility for cleaning,
fumigation or mould treatment — all of which add cost and delay.
What DAFF checks
Typical inspection points include:
- Undercarriage & wheel wells — soil, mud or rust flakes.
- Interior — mould, food crumbs, pet hair or organic debris.
- Air vents & cabin filter areas — trapped leaves or seeds.
- Boot & spare wheel compartments.
- Engine bay & underside cavities — nests, debris, oil leaks.
- Tyres — foreign seeds or embedded material.
- Asbestos risk areas on older cars (brake pads, gaskets).
Note: brand-new cars can still be inspected — DAFF treats every arrival the same way.
Common reasons vehicles fail DAFF
- Mould or damp odours inside the cabin (common in humid storage)
- Soil or mud on suspension, swing arms, wheel arches
- Leaves, twigs or plant matter trapped at the cowl or vents
- Rust flakes that contain organic residue
- Asbestos-containing components on older vehicles
Preventative cleaning in Japan (what we arrange)
We organise a pre-export biosecurity clean before the car leaves Japan. Typical cleaning includes:
- Full exterior wash and degrease
- High-pressure underbody cleaning
- Cabin steam clean and mould treatment (if needed)
- Engine bay wipe-down and wheel/tyre scrubbing
- Photographic documentation of the cleaned vehicle before loading
This reduces the chance of a DAFF fail — it doesn’t eliminate it, but it lowers the risk and speeds up port processing.
Arrival in Australia — the typical flow
- Vehicle unloaded from RoRo or container at the arrival port.
- DAFF performs an external inspection at the terminal.
- If flagged, vehicle is moved to an approved cleaning facility for treatment.
- Required cleaning / mould treatment / steam cleaning is carried out.
- DAFF reinspects; once cleared, the car moves to customs clearance and onward compliance (duty & GST, then ADR work).
Typical costs you might see
| Item | Typical Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|
| DAFF inspection fee | $95–$145 |
| Port cleaning / steam clean (if required) | $250–$450 |
| Mould treatment | $150–$300 |
| Deep underbody cleaning | $200–$400 |
| Reinspection fee | $65–$120 |
Severe contamination or fumigation can cost substantially more. We’ll estimate likely DAFF exposure during the pre-export inspection.
How Glam Groups minimises DAFF delays
- Pre-shipment biosecurity clean and photographic proof
- Targeted checks on common fail points (tyres, wheel arches, cowl, engine bay)
- Use of approved cleaning partners at the arrival port
- Direct liaison with DAFF to speed up reinspection and release
- Transparent cost estimates if additional cleaning is required
Helpful links & where this fits in the import journey
This step comes immediately after shipping and before customs clearance and compliance. Helpful pages:
- RoRo vs Container — shipping options
- Customs Duty & GST — tax & duty explanation
- ADR Compliance — vehicle certification
- Import Eligibility — check if your car can be brought in
Quick FAQs
Q: Can a vehicle be refused entry for biosecurity issues?
A: Very rarely. Most vehicles are cleaned and released after treatment. Refusal is only used in extreme cases.
Q: Does pre-export cleaning guarantee DAFF clearance?
A: No — it greatly reduces the risk but DAFF inspections are final. We document cleaning to reduce surprises at the port.
Q: Who pays for port cleaning if the car fails?
A: The importer pays. We advise clients upfront about likely exposure and include contingency in our quotes.
Ready to reduce DAFF risk?
Arrange a pre-export biosecurity clean and photographic evidence before the car leaves Japan — it’s the single best way to reduce delays and unexpected costs.
Disclaimer: Prices and processes vary by port and the nature of contamination. This page is a guide — we confirm exact steps and costs after vehicle assessment.