overview of all steps involved in importing a vehicle into Australia. This process involves a number of government agencies.
STEP 1
Key Considerations Before Importing a Vehicle to Australia
Before beginning the vehicle importation process, it is essential to address the following questions:
- Eligibility: Is the vehicle eligible for importation into Australia?
- Import Options: Which import scheme or option is applicable to your vehicle?
- Associated Costs: What are the estimated costs involved, including shipping, storage, delivery, permit applications, taxes, customs duties, quarantine cleaning, asbestos testing/removal, quarantine inspection fees, modification expenses, and State or Territory registration and insurance requirements?
- Timeframes: What are the timeframes for obtaining necessary permits and completing other arrangements?
- Documentation: What specific documents are required to support your application?
- Government Agency Requirements: What are the compliance requirements for each relevant government agency?
- Broker Assistance: Do you need to engage a broker to facilitate the process?
- Modifications: Will modifications be necessary to meet Australian Design Rules (ADRs) or other standards?
- Potential Risks: What risks are involved in the importation process, and how can they be mitigated?
Carefully considering these factors will help ensure a smooth and efficient vehicle importation process.
STEP 2
Applying for Vehicle Import Approval
When importing a vehicle into Australia, it is essential to understand and comply with the following:
- Eligibility: Not all vehicles are eligible for importation, and some may not be granted Vehicle Import Approval (concessional RAV entry approval).
- Import Options: There may not be a suitable import option for every individual or vehicle in every circumstance.
- Approval Conditions: Vehicle Import Approvals may be issued with specific conditions unique to the vehicle. These conditions will be clearly stated when the approval is granted. Failure to comply with these conditions is an offence and may result in prosecution, fines, or the revocation of the import approval.
- Approval Requirement: Do not ship a vehicle to Australia without first obtaining Vehicle Import Approval.
- Consequences of Non-Compliance: Shipping a vehicle without approval can result in it being held in bonded storage, incurring additional costs, including storage fees.
- Legal Restrictions: Under Section 22 of the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018 (RVSA), it is prohibited to import, sell, or present a new or used vehicle to the Australian market without meeting national standards unless an exemption has been granted by the Administrator of Vehicle Standards.
Regulatory Oversight
The process is regulated by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, which oversees compliance with the RVSA.
Adhering to these requirements ensures a smooth importation process and compliance with Australian laws.
STEP 3
Arranging Vehicle Shipping
Proper planning and coordination are essential for shipping a vehicle to Australia. Follow these steps to ensure compliance with regulations and a smooth shipping process:
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Freight Forwarding: Engage and coordinate with a reliable freight forwarding company in the country of export to manage the logistics of shipping your vehicle.
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Vehicle Cleaning: Prior to shipment, ensure the vehicle is steam-cleaned thoroughly inside and out to remove any materials that could pose a quarantine risk.
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Compliance with Gas Regulations: Ensure that the vehicle’s air-conditioning equipment and the entire consignment do not contain restricted gases (e.g., R12). If necessary, have the system degassed to comply with the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989. More details can be found here.
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Asbestos Restrictions: Be aware of strict government regulations prohibiting the importation of asbestos-containing materials (e.g., brake pads). Compliance with Regulation 4C of the Customs (Prohibited Imports) Regulations 1956 is mandatory.
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Shipping Methods: Arrange appropriate shipping options, including marine insurance, via roll-on/roll-off services, consolidated shipping, or dedicated container shipping.
Involved Government Agencies
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Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry: Oversees quarantine and biosecurity requirements (Learn more).
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Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water: Manages compliance with environmental and gas import regulations (Learn more).
By ensuring compliance with these regulations and coordinating shipping effectively, you can avoid delays and additional costs during the import process.
STEP 4
Obtain Customs Clearance
To successfully clear your vehicle through Australian Customs, follow these steps:
- Engage a Customs Broker: Appoint a professional customs broker to manage the clearance process on your behalf.
- Submit an Import Declaration: Lodge the necessary import declaration with Australian Customs.
- Pay Applicable Duties and Taxes:
- Customs Duty (if applicable).
- Goods & Services Tax (GST).
- Luxury Car Tax (if applicable).
- Vehicle Transport: Arrange for the transportation of the vehicle to an accredited compliance workshop. The workshop must be equipped to meet Australian standards, ISO standards (for applicable vehicles), and road registration requirements.
Regulatory Oversight
This step is regulated by the Department of Home Affairs, which oversees customs compliance and import procedures.
By completing these steps in a timely and organised manner, you can ensure a smooth customs clearance process and avoid potential delays.
STEP 5
Comply with Australian Quarantine Requirements
To meet the quarantine requirements for importing a vehicle into Australia, complete the following steps:
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Quarantine Entry: Lodge a Quarantine Entry with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
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Inspection Appointment: Arrange an inspection appointment to ensure the vehicle complies with biosecurity and quarantine regulations.
Regulatory Oversight
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry manages this process to safeguard Australia’s biosecurity standards. For more information, visit their official website.
Proper compliance with these requirements ensures a smooth transition for your vehicle into the country.
STEP 6
Compliance Modifications
To ensure your vehicle meets Australian standards, the following steps must be undertaken:
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Vehicle Modifications: Arrange for any necessary modifications to bring the vehicle into compliance with Australian regulations.
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Testing and Compliance Evidence: Conduct required testing and develop the necessary documentation to demonstrate compliance.
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Identification Plate Approvals: Apply for identification plate approvals or market supply approvals if applicable.
Key Compliance Requirements
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Road Registration: Vehicle registration is a separate process from import approval and is managed by the relevant State or Territory Road authority.
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Australian Design Rules (ADRs): All vehicles must comply with the ADRs, which are the national standards for motor vehicles and trailers. A vehicle meeting these standards is fitted with an identification plate approved by the Administrator, certifying its compliance.
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ISO Standards: In some cases, vehicles may also need to comply with applicable ISO standards.
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Recall Requirements: Ensure the vehicle is either not subject to a recall in its country of origin (e.g., faulty airbags) or that any recall-related repairs have been completed by the original manufacturer. Proper adherence to these steps ensures your vehicle meets all regulatory requirements and is ready for use on Australian roads.
STEP 7
Vehicle Registration
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Apply for Registration: Submit an application to register the vehicle with the relevant State or Territory Road and transport authority.
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Involved Government Agencies: The relevant State or Territory Road and Transport / Registration Authorities will process the registration.
Ensure all required documentation and compliance certifications are in place before applying for registration to facilitate a smooth process.
STEP 8
Insurance and Warranty
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Insurance: We can refer you to insurance companies that offer competitive rates for imported vehicles or assist in arranging suitable coverage for your vehicle.
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Warranty: We offer a range of warranty options, from 1 to 5 years, with plans ranging from Basic (Plan A) to Gold (Plan D). These warranties include unlimited claims through a nationally recognised third-party warranty provider. (Conditions apply).
We ensure that your imported vehicle is covered by reliable insurance and warranty options, giving you peace of mind.
STEP 9
Parts
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Parts Availability: There are numerous import vehicle wreckers, new parts suppliers, and specialist service centres across all states, ensuring parts are readily accessible.
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Direct Sourcing: If you choose to purchase parts or services directly from us, we offer competitive pricing. In the event we are unable to supply the required parts, we will advise you and direct you to the right source. We can also source parts internationally, ensuring fast delivery at competitive prices.
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Expertise: With years of experience and expertise in specific vehicle models, we are able to efficiently troubleshoot and source the correct parts for your vehicle.
We are committed to providing you with reliable, high-quality parts to keep your vehicle running smoothly.
STEP 10
Mechanical
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Expert Mechanical Support: With our extensive experience and specialisation in specific vehicle models, we can quickly and efficiently troubleshoot and resolve any mechanical issues.
Our expertise ensures that your vehicle’s mechanical needs are met with precision and reliability.
STEP 11
Engineering Testing & certification
At Glam Groups, we specialise in automotive testing and certification for the automotive industry. We are an authorised testing facility recognised by the Department of Transport, equipped to conduct a wide range of ADR (Australian Design Rules) testing and verification requirements.
Our team of specialist engineers, with extensive automotive experience, creates detailed Model Reports. These reports provide clear and precise work instructions for Registered Automotive Workshop (RAW) facilities, guiding the processing of imported Special Enthusiast Vehicles (SEVs) to ensure compliance with Australian standards. These reports also assist Authorized Vehicle Verifiers (AVVs) in the verification process.
For more information, visit RVSA.
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Our Mission is to provide integrity, honesty and quality service for our customers.
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