Many countries strictly regulate laws for vehicle import and export. Importing a car into Australia can be very challenging because most people aren't aware of the vehicle import regulations. In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about importing a car into Australia, so keep reading:

Can I import any car into Australia?

Yes, you can ship a car to Australia, but you must ensure it complies with safety regulations. You must obtain authorisation from the Vehicle Safety Standards Branch.

The same Goods and Services Tax (GST), customs fees, and Luxury Car Tax (LCT) rates apply to privately imported cars as to commercial ones. The customs value of the vehicle determines the customs duty.

Which type of permit will I need to import a car into Australia?

Moving to Australia
Choose this option if you want to import your car to Australia. You can only import a vehicle every five years under the Personal Import Scheme if you have lived abroad for more than a year.

Racing Cars
Automobiles exclusively made for racing and not for use on public roads are allowed. For authorisation, vehicles entering Australia for a race must supply information about the event and the driver.

Off-Road Automobiles
Australian Customs demand a permit for entry into Australia for vehicles not intended for use on public roads. You can only use these automobiles for off-road usage and cannot register them for use on Australian public roads.

Temporary Imports
You will need a Carnet de Passages to import a car into Australia temporarily. However, you can't sell such a vehicle in Australia, and it must be shipped back to the country of origin within a year. Additionally, you will need to provide a bank guarantee or pay an additional bond to meet the import duties for Customs.

Classic Automobiles
Under the Rolling 25-Year Rule program, you can import cars and trucks built more than 25 years ago but have not undergone significant alterations. You must notify the infrastructure department about any adjustments to see if they grant clearance.

Is it easy to import a car into Australia?

Importing a car into Australia isn't easy. You must check the following factors before importing a car into Australia.

Quarantine Inspection
When importing a car into Australia, you must ensure that each vehicle is entirely free of contamination, both internally and externally, before it arrives. Check the mudguards, mufflers, soil around the wheel, boot and spare tires, radiator, seeds, leaves, and dirt in the car or vehicle's interior.

Upon arrival in Australia, Biosecurity Officers from the Department of Water, Agriculture, and the Environment check the hygiene of road vehicles before releasing them from customs control. You are liable for any inspection fees. By hiring a car shipping company, you can avoid quarantine issues.

Presence of Asbestos
Australia has a ban on the import of asbestos. Before importing a car into Australia, you must ensure it is asbestos-free. Suppose the Australian Border Force (ABF) determines that your vehicle poses an asbestos risk. In that case, they will request guarantees that your car is asbestos-free.

ABF can keep the automobile at the border for sample and testing if you provide insufficient assurance. It can cause delays and cost you money. You can avoid such delays by hiring a car shipping company like Willship.

Refrigeration Systems or Air Conditioners
An import permit for ozone-depleting substances (ODS) and synthetic greenhouse gases may be necessary for road cars fitted with air conditioning or refrigeration systems (SGG).

You must ascertain the volume and kind of gas present in the equipment before importing a car into Australia with a refrigeration or air conditioning system to comply with reporting and licensing requirements.

Delays During Assessment
Your application review and decision-making process might take up to 60 business days. Before importing a car into Australia, ensure you have enough time to get approval. We suggest using a car shipping company like Willship International for importing a car into Australia because they have extensive experience in RORO shipping. They can assist you with transit insurance, quarantine, and customs issues.