Elise in Australia?
Discussion
It looks like I'll be moving to Australia in the summer and am thinking about taking my Elise with me.
My reasoning is that I'll lose a packet trying to sell it in the UK, I like the car, its a soft-top (in Australia = yummy) and looking at prices of used Elises I wouldn't be able to justify buying one over there.
I have owned the car for over a year and am aware that the costs of making it road-legal can be a couple of £k.
I'm sure others have done/thought about this, so some questions:
1. Is it worth the hassle?
2. Will looking after it be a nightmare? Its only the K series block so parts should be fairly universal (do you have MGs for example in Australia)?
3. If I tire of it or decide to upgrade will there be a market for it? Am I even allowed to sell it? Will the value of a UK import be stupidly low?
4. Are there many Elises in Sydney?
5. Not specifically about my car - but looking at prices of used 'performance' cars they seem to be very expensive - any reason for this or is it just supply and demand?
I'll be interested to hear your thoughts.
Cheers
Max
My reasoning is that I'll lose a packet trying to sell it in the UK, I like the car, its a soft-top (in Australia = yummy) and looking at prices of used Elises I wouldn't be able to justify buying one over there.
I have owned the car for over a year and am aware that the costs of making it road-legal can be a couple of £k.
I'm sure others have done/thought about this, so some questions:
1. Is it worth the hassle?
2. Will looking after it be a nightmare? Its only the K series block so parts should be fairly universal (do you have MGs for example in Australia)?
3. If I tire of it or decide to upgrade will there be a market for it? Am I even allowed to sell it? Will the value of a UK import be stupidly low?
4. Are there many Elises in Sydney?
5. Not specifically about my car - but looking at prices of used 'performance' cars they seem to be very expensive - any reason for this or is it just supply and demand?
I'll be interested to hear your thoughts.
Cheers
Max
Must be the year for exporting Lotus cars to Oz from the UK.
I've just filed the initial paperwork with Canberra.
To give you a rough idea of costs.
Shipping 1000 - 1500 Great British Pounds
Import duties / taxes / Luxury Car Tax - to be paid once car hits the port in Oz - Au$13,000. This is for a car currently worth approx £17,000 Great British Pounds. Plus all the State tests - roadworthy tests, conformity.
Some states require a few modifications, such as kph only speedo (not allowed to mask off just the MPH figures).
I'll pass on all the appropriate Oz websites that you'll need to read through - very good they are.
Elise maintenance in Sydney should not be a problem. I actually own an Esprit (which is a problem - cos there's only one in the state where I'm going). I've bought all the original Lotus Manuals off Ebay + the electronic diagnostic computer which tells me if I have any problems with the car. Would'nt trust any mechanic with my car. I've also created accounts with Lotus dealers here, so that I can buy spares direct from them once in Oz.
My 50 page Import application went in last Monday and it is quite thorough.
Simon
94 S4 Esprit
I've just filed the initial paperwork with Canberra.
To give you a rough idea of costs.
Shipping 1000 - 1500 Great British Pounds
Import duties / taxes / Luxury Car Tax - to be paid once car hits the port in Oz - Au$13,000. This is for a car currently worth approx £17,000 Great British Pounds. Plus all the State tests - roadworthy tests, conformity.
Some states require a few modifications, such as kph only speedo (not allowed to mask off just the MPH figures).
I'll pass on all the appropriate Oz websites that you'll need to read through - very good they are.
Elise maintenance in Sydney should not be a problem. I actually own an Esprit (which is a problem - cos there's only one in the state where I'm going). I've bought all the original Lotus Manuals off Ebay + the electronic diagnostic computer which tells me if I have any problems with the car. Would'nt trust any mechanic with my car. I've also created accounts with Lotus dealers here, so that I can buy spares direct from them once in Oz.
My 50 page Import application went in last Monday and it is quite thorough.
Simon
94 S4 Esprit
Thanks Simon!
So $13k - how much of that was tax and duty? Is the tax element avoidable if you have owned the car for a set time (ie it's a personal import)?
As it stand I might be better off trying to get £17k for it over here, saving £1000 shipping, and £5300 import/registration fees (so £24k total to spend over there - AU $58,000).
Great idea to buy the diagnostic computer and have accounts at lotus - very thoroughly thought out!
So $13k - how much of that was tax and duty? Is the tax element avoidable if you have owned the car for a set time (ie it's a personal import)?
As it stand I might be better off trying to get £17k for it over here, saving £1000 shipping, and £5300 import/registration fees (so £24k total to spend over there - AU $58,000).
Great idea to buy the diagnostic computer and have accounts at lotus - very thoroughly thought out!
Okay - websites are:
Oz Customs website - with details of exact costs involved - downloadable form.
www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=4371
and
Oz Dept of transport - Shed loads of reading there to do.
www.dotars.gov.au/explore.aspx?facet=Transport
From what I can see - it is unavoidable paying the tax (13k).
Oz Customs website - with details of exact costs involved - downloadable form.
www.customs.gov.au/site/page.cfm?u=4371
and
Oz Dept of transport - Shed loads of reading there to do.
www.dotars.gov.au/explore.aspx?facet=Transport
From what I can see - it is unavoidable paying the tax (13k).
I'm sure, but it used to be if you have owned the car for over 12 months the import duties are completely different , based on a valuation if i remember right , also dont forget lux tax only applies after a certain value , not sure an elise would hit that value . Though the diagnostics is a very good idea ! Its very important to get the rules for the state you are moving to .
Dave
Dave
Why not also try the Elise Yahoo site as you'll get all your answers there....
http://au.groups.yahoo.com/group/AussieElises/
http://au.groups.yahoo.com/group/AussieElises/
I was visiting a friend here in Sydney this past weekend as I had some R&R days before working.
I was out with almost 1 dozen Elises Sunday from Sydney, we blatted down through the National Forest, and ended up doing a short track day (afternoon really
) at Wakefield Park.
Google for aussie elises, they have a website that they run.
I am informed that there a several dozen here......
I was out with almost 1 dozen Elises Sunday from Sydney, we blatted down through the National Forest, and ended up doing a short track day (afternoon really
) at Wakefield Park. Google for aussie elises, they have a website that they run.
I am informed that there a several dozen here......
Have a Lotus Elise 111R purchased 15 Aug 2007 in the UK. I will be sending it back to Sydney after the 12 months or a bit more are up. Couple of questions -
1) Are there any agents that anyone can recommend to do the grunt work for the import process, including the import permit
2) The Elise 111R falls under the SEVS list. Can this shorten up the 12 months or does it just make it a bit easier on the import permit?
3) Do you have to wait 12 months, then start the import permit process, or can you submit before the 12 months are up?
Any help much appreciated
1) Are there any agents that anyone can recommend to do the grunt work for the import process, including the import permit
2) The Elise 111R falls under the SEVS list. Can this shorten up the 12 months or does it just make it a bit easier on the import permit?
3) Do you have to wait 12 months, then start the import permit process, or can you submit before the 12 months are up?
Any help much appreciated
After having jumped all the hurdles for the personal import route I would have no hesitation in doing it again. The whole process was quick and I did not get one delay with any of the processes involved. In answer to your questions, the personal import route is designed as a 'do it yourself' process, just fill in the blanks and supply plenty of supporting evidence of ownership. I would advise against sending off the paperwork prior to the full 12 months of ownership - I don't think they'll even look at it. Also they'll check if you have left the country for any period of time (and this won't count towards your twelve months). You'll need an Oz address for them to send the import approval to.
Ive been checking this out for my 2005 111R Elise too and have spoken to an agent about whats involved, the breakdown I was given was:
The cost to land the vehicle in Sydney in a container is as follows (Excludes GST at 10%):
Port charges $435
Transport $380
Depot charges $370
AQIS fees $193 Exempt GST
Clearance $325
Steam clean $195 if necessary
Local Valuation $550
If the agents are attending to the pre-registration or Blue Slip the following will also apply:
Tilt tray to the mechanic $75
Blue slip inspection and plates fees $195 estimate.
Weighbridge ticket $48
Blue slip coordination $150
These costs do not include any other issues that may cause the vehicle to not pass a roadworthiness inspection (KPH speedo etc). You then pick up the vehicle and drive it to the RTA to complete the registration process.
From the information I provided, I was told you would pay around A$8800 Duty and GST based on a local valuation of the Elise.
Agents Details:
Cargo Online Pty Ltd
P.O.Box 365
Seaforth NSW 2092
tel: 02 9400 2635
fax: 02 9400 2625
web: www.cargoonline.com.au
The contact I used was Steve White, his email address is steve@cargoonline.com.au
I havent done it yet but its worth looking into so you know whats what!
Hope this helps.
The cost to land the vehicle in Sydney in a container is as follows (Excludes GST at 10%):
Port charges $435
Transport $380
Depot charges $370
AQIS fees $193 Exempt GST
Clearance $325
Steam clean $195 if necessary
Local Valuation $550
If the agents are attending to the pre-registration or Blue Slip the following will also apply:
Tilt tray to the mechanic $75
Blue slip inspection and plates fees $195 estimate.
Weighbridge ticket $48
Blue slip coordination $150
These costs do not include any other issues that may cause the vehicle to not pass a roadworthiness inspection (KPH speedo etc). You then pick up the vehicle and drive it to the RTA to complete the registration process.
From the information I provided, I was told you would pay around A$8800 Duty and GST based on a local valuation of the Elise.
Agents Details:
Cargo Online Pty Ltd
P.O.Box 365
Seaforth NSW 2092
tel: 02 9400 2635
fax: 02 9400 2625
web: www.cargoonline.com.au
The contact I used was Steve White, his email address is steve@cargoonline.com.au
I havent done it yet but its worth looking into so you know whats what!
Hope this helps.
The prices for all port charges are pretty close to correct. The valuation fee will likely to be $200+GST. The only problem might be the figure for the Duty and GST cost, $8800 indicates that the car was valued at around $40K. The problem is the 111R was sold new in Oz and the current price of a 2005 car is still around $70K. A valuer will likely be using the $70K private/trade price to obtain a customs landed value.
I would recommend that you spend $200 and get a valuation before shipping your car because you might get a shock when it arrives and the GST and Duty and maybe LCT comes to over $13K.
I would recommend that you spend $200 and get a valuation before shipping your car because you might get a shock when it arrives and the GST and Duty and maybe LCT comes to over $13K.
aussiebeano said:
Have a Lotus Elise 111R purchased 15 Aug 2007 in the UK. I will be sending it back to Sydney after the 12 months or a bit more are up. Couple of questions -
1) Are there any agents that anyone can recommend to do the grunt work for the import process, including the import permit
2) The Elise 111R falls under the SEVS list. Can this shorten up the 12 months or does it just make it a bit easier on the import permit?
3) Do you have to wait 12 months, then start the import permit process, or can you submit before the 12 months are up?
Any help much appreciated
So say i have owned my car for 6 months, then leave the uk to travel and end up in oz 6 months later i cant import the car? Looks like my luck has totally shit out. Cant spend another 6 months here just to import a car 1) Are there any agents that anyone can recommend to do the grunt work for the import process, including the import permit
2) The Elise 111R falls under the SEVS list. Can this shorten up the 12 months or does it just make it a bit easier on the import permit?
3) Do you have to wait 12 months, then start the import permit process, or can you submit before the 12 months are up?
Any help much appreciated
Get another passport and put all your new travel visa's in that one and keep your other one clean for the import process. I use to have 2 valid Oz passports for travelling. Just a thought... Not really entirely legal though - would be easier just to stay another 6 months and be done with it.
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