Importing a car to Australia - All the facts... Hopefully!
Discussion
Hi all, I have read pretty much all these threads, but I want to double check in case I am missing anything here. I want to bring a few "Classic Cars" into Brisbane, in a couple of years so I am purchasing them now.
Classics: So anything before 1/11/1989 you can bring in as many cars as you like as often as you like. Question is, what is the DUTY on classics? They are valued when they land in Australia, minus shipping and then a percentage is taken of that.
Newer Vehicles: Anything which is NOT a classic, i.e: after 1989, its 1 vehicle per person, per year.
At present I am planning on bringing:
Classic: 1963 Jaguar E Type Series 1 FHC (LHD) (In my name, under classics)
Newer Motorbike: 2015 Norton Dominator SS in my name (Put this under my allocation of 1)
Newer Car: TVR Tuscan Mk2 2005: Currently in my brothers name in the UK. (I should put this in my wifes name to bring it in under her allocation) Will they sting me for Luxury car tax on a TVR?
I also wanted to buy a 1967 Mercedes 250 SL and Austin Healey 3000 over here and bring them in under the Classic car import regs as they are too expensive in Australia but cheaper where I live now. Again, these will be under the pre 1989 so all fine.
So I suppose I just wanted a "Yes thats fine" from someone in the know and to understand the percentages for duties on the Classics and then on the likes of the Motorbike and the TVR Tuscan.
Thanks
Classics: So anything before 1/11/1989 you can bring in as many cars as you like as often as you like. Question is, what is the DUTY on classics? They are valued when they land in Australia, minus shipping and then a percentage is taken of that.
Newer Vehicles: Anything which is NOT a classic, i.e: after 1989, its 1 vehicle per person, per year.
At present I am planning on bringing:
Classic: 1963 Jaguar E Type Series 1 FHC (LHD) (In my name, under classics)
Newer Motorbike: 2015 Norton Dominator SS in my name (Put this under my allocation of 1)
Newer Car: TVR Tuscan Mk2 2005: Currently in my brothers name in the UK. (I should put this in my wifes name to bring it in under her allocation) Will they sting me for Luxury car tax on a TVR?
I also wanted to buy a 1967 Mercedes 250 SL and Austin Healey 3000 over here and bring them in under the Classic car import regs as they are too expensive in Australia but cheaper where I live now. Again, these will be under the pre 1989 so all fine.
So I suppose I just wanted a "Yes thats fine" from someone in the know and to understand the percentages for duties on the Classics and then on the likes of the Motorbike and the TVR Tuscan.
Thanks
Edited by Randompunter74 on Monday 31st October 08:44
Randompunter74 said:
Hi all, I have read pretty much all these threads, but I want to double check in case I am missing anything here. I want to bring a few "Classic Cars" into Brisbane, in a couple of years so I am purchasing them now.
Classics: So anything before 1/11/1989 you can bring in as many cars as you like as often as you like. Question is, what is the DUTY on classics? They are valued when they land in Australia, minus shipping and then a percentage is taken of that.
Newer Vehicles: Anything which is NOT a classic, i.e: after 1989, its 1 vehicle per person, per year.
At present I am planning on bringing:
Classic: 1963 Jaguar E Type Series 1 FHC (LHD) (In my name, under classics)
Newer Motorbike: 2015 Norton Dominator SS in my name (Put this under my allocation of 1)
Newer Car: TVR Tuscan Mk2 2005: Currently in my brothers name in the UK. (I should put this in my wifes name to bring it in under her allocation) Will they sting me for Luxury car tax on a TVR?
I also wanted to buy a 1967 Mercedes 250 SL and Austin Healey 3000 over here and bring them in under the Classic car import regs as they are too expensive in Australia but cheaper where I live now. Again, these will be under the pre 1989 so all fine.
So I suppose I just wanted a "Yes thats fine" from someone in the know and to understand the percentages for duties on the Classics and then on the likes of the Motorbike and the TVR Tuscan.
Thanks
I'm not sure about the pre 1989 cars but I suspect the duty and GST will be the same as post 1989 cars. Duty = (landed value + shipping cost) X 5% and GST = (landed Value + Shipping cost + Duty amount calculated ) X 10%. So if you bring a car worth $10K landed value and $1.5k shipping then your duty = $575 and your GST = $1207.50Classics: So anything before 1/11/1989 you can bring in as many cars as you like as often as you like. Question is, what is the DUTY on classics? They are valued when they land in Australia, minus shipping and then a percentage is taken of that.
Newer Vehicles: Anything which is NOT a classic, i.e: after 1989, its 1 vehicle per person, per year.
At present I am planning on bringing:
Classic: 1963 Jaguar E Type Series 1 FHC (LHD) (In my name, under classics)
Newer Motorbike: 2015 Norton Dominator SS in my name (Put this under my allocation of 1)
Newer Car: TVR Tuscan Mk2 2005: Currently in my brothers name in the UK. (I should put this in my wifes name to bring it in under her allocation) Will they sting me for Luxury car tax on a TVR?
I also wanted to buy a 1967 Mercedes 250 SL and Austin Healey 3000 over here and bring them in under the Classic car import regs as they are too expensive in Australia but cheaper where I live now. Again, these will be under the pre 1989 so all fine.
So I suppose I just wanted a "Yes thats fine" from someone in the know and to understand the percentages for duties on the Classics and then on the likes of the Motorbike and the TVR Tuscan.
Thanks
Edited by Randompunter74 on Monday 31st October 08:44
Also even for classics, I'm not sure if you can bring in a LHD car anymore but I might be wrong.
I imported my Mk1 Tuscan into Australia nearly 10 yr ago and at that time my landed value was nowhere near LCT. Best thing is get your brother to 'Sell' you the car at a "Reasonable" price and give you a receipt for it. Your custom's broker will use that purchase price and minus small percentage and convert to Aus$ for the landed value for Duty and GST.
In terms for personal imports post 1989 cars. you can bring in 1 car per person every 5 years (not every year) as long as the car meets the personal import rules.
hope that helps.
I'm currently residing in the UK and plan to move back to Brisbane this year.
Would it be worth taking my car (2013 Mercedes Benz C63 with around 37,000 miles) with me?
I'm expecting to be able to get roughly £28-30k for it if I sell it here, which at the current dismal FX rate equates to A$45-48k. Checking the value of the similar cars for sale in Oz suggests value of roughly A$80-90k.
Given all the hassle and costs involved, difficulty of selling high value grey import car down the track, insurance etc, would it still be worth it?
My initial thoughts are that I would be better off saving myself the hassle and stress and just sell it in the UK.
Would it be worth taking my car (2013 Mercedes Benz C63 with around 37,000 miles) with me?
I'm expecting to be able to get roughly £28-30k for it if I sell it here, which at the current dismal FX rate equates to A$45-48k. Checking the value of the similar cars for sale in Oz suggests value of roughly A$80-90k.
Given all the hassle and costs involved, difficulty of selling high value grey import car down the track, insurance etc, would it still be worth it?
My initial thoughts are that I would be better off saving myself the hassle and stress and just sell it in the UK.
The main question you need to ask yourself is what do you want from it. Make some money or have a great car to drive when you're back. If its the former then the answer is a big NO from me. if you're lucky and be able to sell it then you will likely to make little to no gain from it after cost.
Say you bought the car 2 years ago @40K Pounds, the landed value for import tax will be around $60K+ based on your purchase price (lux car tax may apply). So the cost of transport/import/tax/duty/compliance etc will be around $15K+. A local car is $80K then you will need to sell it for close to that to make it worth while. But I suspect you won't get anywhere near $80K for an imported car though.
Say you bought the car 2 years ago @40K Pounds, the landed value for import tax will be around $60K+ based on your purchase price (lux car tax may apply). So the cost of transport/import/tax/duty/compliance etc will be around $15K+. A local car is $80K then you will need to sell it for close to that to make it worth while. But I suspect you won't get anywhere near $80K for an imported car though.
coladuna said:
I'm currently residing in the UK and plan to move back to Brisbane this year.
Would it be worth taking my car (2013 Mercedes Benz C63 with around 37,000 miles) with me?
I'm expecting to be able to get roughly £28-30k for it if I sell it here, which at the current dismal FX rate equates to A$45-48k. Checking the value of the similar cars for sale in Oz suggests value of roughly A$80-90k.
Given all the hassle and costs involved, difficulty of selling high value grey import car down the track, insurance etc, would it still be worth it?
My initial thoughts are that I would be better off saving myself the hassle and stress and just sell it in the UK.
If an Australian delivered car is selling for 80-90k, then expect your import to have a realisable value of 60-65k. Trade in prices will be even more savage. For a common car like this, don't plan on making money.Would it be worth taking my car (2013 Mercedes Benz C63 with around 37,000 miles) with me?
I'm expecting to be able to get roughly £28-30k for it if I sell it here, which at the current dismal FX rate equates to A$45-48k. Checking the value of the similar cars for sale in Oz suggests value of roughly A$80-90k.
Given all the hassle and costs involved, difficulty of selling high value grey import car down the track, insurance etc, would it still be worth it?
My initial thoughts are that I would be better off saving myself the hassle and stress and just sell it in the UK.
onny said:
The main question you need to ask yourself is what do you want from it. Make some money or have a great car to drive when you're back. If its the former then the answer is a big NO from me. if you're lucky and be able to sell it then you will likely to make little to no gain from it after cost.
Say you bought the car 2 years ago @40K Pounds, the landed value for import tax will be around $60K+ based on your purchase price (lux car tax may apply). So the cost of transport/import/tax/duty/compliance etc will be around $15K+. A local car is $80K then you will need to sell it for close to that to make it worth while. But I suspect you won't get anywhere near $80K for an imported car though.
Not really looking to make money as such. Just wondered whether I could take it with me so I can use it for another 2-3 years and sell it down the track without losing too much money but sounds like it's not worth it. I would still lose money selling it here plus rubbish value of the pound makes it even worse.Say you bought the car 2 years ago @40K Pounds, the landed value for import tax will be around $60K+ based on your purchase price (lux car tax may apply). So the cost of transport/import/tax/duty/compliance etc will be around $15K+. A local car is $80K then you will need to sell it for close to that to make it worth while. But I suspect you won't get anywhere near $80K for an imported car though.
Pommygranite said:
I'd bring imho.
If you sell at £28k that's $46k. Add another $15k for import you're at $61k. You're not going to get anything as nice as a 2013 C63 for $61k.
Yeah, that's kind of my dilemma.If you sell at £28k that's $46k. Add another $15k for import you're at $61k. You're not going to get anything as nice as a 2013 C63 for $61k.
For $60-70k, the only AMG I would be able to afford in Australia would probably be a used A45.
Insurance is probably another thing putting me off from taking it with me as not many insurers will touch imports and if they will insure it, I'm guessing it won't be cheap! I only pay £385 a year at the moment and I highly doubt it will be anywhere near this amount to insure it in Australia...
coladuna said:
Yeah, that's kind of my dilemma.
For $60-70k, the only AMG I would be able to afford in Australia would probably be a used A45.
Insurance is probably another thing putting me off from taking it with me as not many insurers will touch imports and if they will insure it, I'm guessing it won't be cheap I only pay £385 a year at the moment and I highly doubt it will be anywhere near this amount to insure it in Australia...
Yep. As a ball park you have to have CTP (Compulsory Third Party) for it to be registered which will probably set you back at least $700. Then on top of that you can purchase either third party property or fully comp which would be at least another $400, $700 respectively. Not sure how it works in Queensland but you may have to pay tax when you register it as well. This is based on when I tried to renew a rego in NSW so it may be cheaper in QLD but still not cheap...For $60-70k, the only AMG I would be able to afford in Australia would probably be a used A45.
Insurance is probably another thing putting me off from taking it with me as not many insurers will touch imports and if they will insure it, I'm guessing it won't be cheap I only pay £385 a year at the moment and I highly doubt it will be anywhere near this amount to insure it in Australia...
Registration costs in Qld are a bit over A$700 for a 4 cylinder, $850 for a 6, & just over A$1000 for an 8. This includes third party insurance.
Comprehensive insurance varies strangely, & fairly wildly. I pay under A$300 for my Triumph TR7, A$450 for my TR8, the same car with a different engine of course, but A$690 for my Honda S2000.
I would expect something over A$1000 for your car, so a couple of thousand a year, once here & road registered.
Comprehensive insurance varies strangely, & fairly wildly. I pay under A$300 for my Triumph TR7, A$450 for my TR8, the same car with a different engine of course, but A$690 for my Honda S2000.
I would expect something over A$1000 for your car, so a couple of thousand a year, once here & road registered.
I thought it worth updating this thread with the latest import bogeyman. Not sure if this is something actively being pursued, but the implications are likely costly if so:
https://infrastructure.gov.au/vehicles/imports/new...
Brighter news, in NSW the new relaxed historic registration rules are great once you're through customs and brings us more in line with other states. I pay $95/yr for my Lincoln's use up to 60 days/yr.
https://infrastructure.gov.au/vehicles/imports/new...
Brighter news, in NSW the new relaxed historic registration rules are great once you're through customs and brings us more in line with other states. I pay $95/yr for my Lincoln's use up to 60 days/yr.
One other issue that's just been enacted is the Australian Boarder force now asking if there is any asbestos in the car. Now don't take this lightly, as part of the declaration there is there any Asbestos in the car. If you are not aware if there is be advised that they may require an assessment by an An approved National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia (NATA) assessor . Sadly this is all a lucky dip.
A import agent should be quizzed about this to make sure they are aware of this and if they aren't use one that is. A good friend had a very valuable car severely damaged by an assessor as most don't inspect cars.
Brake pads, clutch plate, besides with some early Italian exotics have in the floor and firewall.
They will remove it at your expense.
A import agent should be quizzed about this to make sure they are aware of this and if they aren't use one that is. A good friend had a very valuable car severely damaged by an assessor as most don't inspect cars.
Brake pads, clutch plate, besides with some early Italian exotics have in the floor and firewall.
They will remove it at your expense.
Hi excuse late reply but your planning in advance so hope this helps.
Re Personal imports yes its 1 vehicle each (bike or car not both).
Re pre 89. Can import multiples does not state a maximum.
However costs.
You have to calc landed cost which is Invoice price (original) + shipping + Insurance. The add 5%, then 10% then if its over LCT which is $65K . In 2017 you pay 33% on balance over 65K which includes total of all the previous. Your not finished there. You have customs, quarantine insp/. clean, delivery etc. which can be a few K$. The you have state Stamp duty which depends on state can be another 4.5% of overall total, then costs of compliance, Registration and CTP. Its not cheap.
Im a relocated Brit and love it here but you get raped on car costs. I especially resent the stamp every time I buy a car.
Good luck
Re Personal imports yes its 1 vehicle each (bike or car not both).
Re pre 89. Can import multiples does not state a maximum.
However costs.
You have to calc landed cost which is Invoice price (original) + shipping + Insurance. The add 5%, then 10% then if its over LCT which is $65K . In 2017 you pay 33% on balance over 65K which includes total of all the previous. Your not finished there. You have customs, quarantine insp/. clean, delivery etc. which can be a few K$. The you have state Stamp duty which depends on state can be another 4.5% of overall total, then costs of compliance, Registration and CTP. Its not cheap.
Im a relocated Brit and love it here but you get raped on car costs. I especially resent the stamp every time I buy a car.
Good luck
Randompunter74 said:
Hi all, I have read pretty much all these threads, but I want to double check in case I am missing anything here. I want to bring a few "Classic Cars" into Brisbane, in a couple of years so I am purchasing them now.
Classics: So anything before 1/11/1989 you can bring in as many cars as you like as often as you like. Question is, what is the DUTY on classics? They are valued when they land in Australia, minus shipping and then a percentage is taken of that.
Newer Vehicles: Anything which is NOT a classic, i.e: after 1989, its 1 vehicle per person, per year.
At present I am planning on bringing:
Classic: 1963 Jaguar E Type Series 1 FHC (LHD) (In my name, under classics)
Newer Motorbike: 2015 Norton Dominator SS in my name (Put this under my allocation of 1)
Newer Car: TVR Tuscan Mk2 2005: Currently in my brothers name in the UK. (I should put this in my wifes name to bring it in under her allocation) Will they sting me for Luxury car tax on a TVR?
I also wanted to buy a 1967 Mercedes 250 SL and Austin Healey 3000 over here and bring them in under the Classic car import regs as they are too expensive in Australia but cheaper where I live now. Again, these will be under the pre 1989 so all fine.
So I suppose I just wanted a "Yes thats fine" from someone in the know and to understand the percentages for duties on the Classics and then on the likes of the Motorbike and the TVR Tuscan.
Thanks
Classics: So anything before 1/11/1989 you can bring in as many cars as you like as often as you like. Question is, what is the DUTY on classics? They are valued when they land in Australia, minus shipping and then a percentage is taken of that.
Newer Vehicles: Anything which is NOT a classic, i.e: after 1989, its 1 vehicle per person, per year.
At present I am planning on bringing:
Classic: 1963 Jaguar E Type Series 1 FHC (LHD) (In my name, under classics)
Newer Motorbike: 2015 Norton Dominator SS in my name (Put this under my allocation of 1)
Newer Car: TVR Tuscan Mk2 2005: Currently in my brothers name in the UK. (I should put this in my wifes name to bring it in under her allocation) Will they sting me for Luxury car tax on a TVR?
I also wanted to buy a 1967 Mercedes 250 SL and Austin Healey 3000 over here and bring them in under the Classic car import regs as they are too expensive in Australia but cheaper where I live now. Again, these will be under the pre 1989 so all fine.
So I suppose I just wanted a "Yes thats fine" from someone in the know and to understand the percentages for duties on the Classics and then on the likes of the Motorbike and the TVR Tuscan.
Thanks
Edited by Randompunter74 on Monday 31st October 08:44
Good morning / evening
In the future I am likely to emigrate to Perth and currently have a Caterham race car that has never been road registered and is solely used for racing and track days. Having built and developed the car i would like to keep this however reading the link below i believe that a car that can be road registered can not be imported as a non road vehicle.
https://infrastructure.gov.au/vehicles/imports/imp...
Is my understanding correct?
Does anybody have any further help or is it a simple case that only road registered Caterham's can be imported?
TIA
In the future I am likely to emigrate to Perth and currently have a Caterham race car that has never been road registered and is solely used for racing and track days. Having built and developed the car i would like to keep this however reading the link below i believe that a car that can be road registered can not be imported as a non road vehicle.
https://infrastructure.gov.au/vehicles/imports/imp...
Is my understanding correct?
Does anybody have any further help or is it a simple case that only road registered Caterham's can be imported?
TIA
Hi all,
Im in the same boat as alot of you questioning whether its viable to bring my cars to Australia. Im looking to move back to Sydney in the next year from London and have two pre-89 'classics'
Looking to bring over my 1985 Lotus Esprit Turbo and a 1976 Datsun 280Z LHD. The problem with the Datsun is it isnt registered in the UK as it was imported from California earlier this year. Im yet to get it up to road standard as I bought it as a project... Can I import this to Australia without UK registering it? I have the NOVA paid and a receipt from the seller dating a year ago.
Also Duty and GST payments on the Lotus worth roughly £15,000, would be $5000 just for GST and Duty.... Is this what people are being charged?? Seems excessive....
Any info or past experience would be great...
Many thanks
J.D.
Im in the same boat as alot of you questioning whether its viable to bring my cars to Australia. Im looking to move back to Sydney in the next year from London and have two pre-89 'classics'
Looking to bring over my 1985 Lotus Esprit Turbo and a 1976 Datsun 280Z LHD. The problem with the Datsun is it isnt registered in the UK as it was imported from California earlier this year. Im yet to get it up to road standard as I bought it as a project... Can I import this to Australia without UK registering it? I have the NOVA paid and a receipt from the seller dating a year ago.
Also Duty and GST payments on the Lotus worth roughly £15,000, would be $5000 just for GST and Duty.... Is this what people are being charged?? Seems excessive....
Any info or past experience would be great...
Many thanks
J.D.
The Datsun’s registration status should be irrelevant. With both cars you will need either a blue slip full inspection to register, or join a club that allows you to get historic logbook rego. This new scheme in nsw is great, you can use the car 60 times a year, the club give it the roadworthy nod and full year rego costs about $40/yr.
See above for costs for mine.
I would be nervous about the asbestos clampdown though whatever I was bringing in.
See above for costs for mine.
I would be nervous about the asbestos clampdown though whatever I was bringing in.
Hi. Im moving to Sydney for about 4 years under 457 visa and want to bring my 911 (1986). I bought it 5 years ago before prices went silly, so my initial purchase price was relatively low (as opposed to todays prices). If I import it what value will Australian customs use? the hand written invoice from a private sale in 2013 or the current Australian market value (less some deductions). It makes a big difference especially if it brings me into (LCT) luxury car tax band, in which case i'd leave it behind (or sell) as the bill could be substantial . Anyone can advise?
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