Information you need to know about importing from the USA

You need to understand this before importing a car or trailer or boat from the USA

An Import Approval Permit is Required

The Australian Government via Australian Customs regulates the importation of vehicles into Australia.

Every vehicle or trailer or motorcycle imported must have an Import Approval provided from the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government in Canberra.

You SHOULD READ the Information Brochure (VSB10) issued by DOTARS. See http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/vehicles/imports/ or call 1800 815 272 before you purchase and import a vehicle and seek advice.

You should also contact Australian Customs Service on 1300 363 263.

DO NOT IMPORT A VEHICLE INTO AUSTRALIA BEFORE OBTAINING A VEHICLE IMPORT APPROVAL

There are restrictions related to the importation of cars that have a build date after the 31st of December 1988.

That means if you are wanting to import a vehicle built after 1989 you need to import a vehicle via the RAWS scheme. Agian you can find information via the DOTARS website.

See http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/vehicles/imports/

You should also contact Australian Customs Service on 1300 363 263.

Vehicles built after 31/12/1988

Please read this - important for vehicles after the 31st of December 1988.

Unfortunately there are restrictions on importing vehicles into Australia that have a build date after the 31st of December 1988.

The vehicles must comply with RAWS (Registered Workshop) scheme requirements.

Therefore cars manufactured before the 31st of December 1988 do not have import restrictions.

Late model vehicles built after 1989 will be subject to the requirements under the RAWS scheme. (vehicles that have a production date after the 1st of January 1989... this means that a RAWS workshop (as approved by DOTARS) is appointed by you to undertake the conversion, compliance and ADR requirements for the car to be registered in your State).

I encourage all prospective purchasers to consult with the Vehicle Safety Standards Branch of the Federal Department of Transport and Regional Services (DOTARS) via their web site at http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/vehicles/imports/ or via telephone (1800 815 272) regarding the importation of any vehicle from the USA.

If I can provide any further information for you, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Australian Quarantine Requirements

All vehicles (cars, trailers and motorcycles) must be thoroughly cleaned, both internally and externally before arrival in Australia.

It is the importer's responsibility to ensure each consignment is clean and free of all quarantine risk material (QRM), including live insects, seeds, soil, mud, clay, animal faeces, animal material, plant material such as straw, twigs, leaves, roots, bark, food refuse and other debris prior to arrival in Australia.

For the purposes of this import condition, 'clean' means 'clean as new'.

AQIS inspects motor vehicles or motorcycles or trailers for cleanliness on arrival in Australia.

For containerised cargo, the inspection occurs at a Quarantine Approved Premises.

Process:

  • An AQIS officer will inspect all areas of the vehicle. If the vehicle is found to be contaminated, AQIS will direct it for cleaning at the importer's expense. The vehicle will then be re-inspected by AQIS.
  • If the vehicle is found to be heavily contaminated it may be exported from Australia at the owner’s expense.

    • Be aware of the following points when importing used motor vehicles or trailers:

  • The vehicle or trailer must be thoroughly clean from soil and road grime, plant matter and seeds.

    • Important points to check are:

  • wheels
  • wheel guards
  • mud guards
  • spare tyre and boot
  • engine bay
  • water is to be removed from windshield reservoir
  • ensure the radiator is clean and free of debris in the cooling fins
  • the underside of the vehicle must be clean
  • above and around fuel tank
  • inside chassis rails
  • under seats

    • The vehicle must be vacuumed to be clean of soil, food, sand and gravel.

    The keys are provided to the AQIS inspector as AQIS will inspect the internal compartments, engine bay and the boot of the vehicle.

    Additional information:

    Contact the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service for information on custom duties. Phone 1300 363 263 or +61 2 6275 6666 (from outside Australia).

    Customs Duty and GST

    Customs Duty is applicable for vehicles depending on age.

    Vehicles over 30 years old are subject to zero (0%) Customs Duty

    New and used vehicles up to 30 years of age are subject to 10% Customs Duty

    Four wheel drive off road vehicles and commercial vehicles are subject to 5% Customs Duty

    Goods and Services Tax (GST)

    Goods and Services Tax is applicable for all vehicles in addition to Customs Duty as landed in Australia.

    Customs Duty + GST Calculation

    The customs value of the vehicle is firstly determined and then Customs Duty is applied (where applicable). The Goods and Services Tax (GST) is applied to the Customs Value and the Customs Duty as applied.

    Example One
  • You have purchased a 1970 Dodge Charger
  • USA price is $18,500 USD
  • The Customs value is calculated at the time the vehicle is discharged from the USA (exchange rate calculation of 82.12 cents AUD To USD as at the 22nd of April 2010)
  • Therefore $18,500 USD x 100 / 82.12 cents = $22,528.01 AUD
  • Transport is $4,420.00 AUD
  • Insurance is $22,528.01 x 1% = $225.28 AUD
  • Customs Duty = FREE (nil charge)

    • Subtotal landed value for GST purposes = $27,173.29 AUD x 10% GST = $2,717.32 AUD as the GST component.

    Therefore... Total Landed Price of vehicle is $29,890.61 AUD

    Example Two
  • You have purchased a 1988 Chevrolet Silverado Pickup Truck
  • USA price is $5500 USD
  • The Customs value is calculated at the time the vehicle is discharged from the USA (exchange rate calculation of 82.12 cents AUD To USD as at the 22nd of April 2010)
  • Therefore $5,500 USD x 100 / 82.12 cents = $6,697.51 AUD
  • Transport is $4,420.00 AUD
  • Insurance is $6,6971.51 AUD x 1% = $66.97 AUD
  • Customs Duty = $669.75 AUD

    • Subtotal landed value for GST purposes = $11,854.23 AUD x 10% GST = $1,185.42 AUD as the GST component.

    Therefore... Total Landed Price of vehicle is $13,039.65 AUD

    Luxury Car Tax

    Application of Luxury Car Tax

    If the total GST inclusive value of your vehicle is in excess of $57,009.00 AUD, your vehicle will be subject to the Luxury Car Tax on arrival in Australia.

    Luxury Car Tax is an additional tax, levied at 25% on the amount in excess of $57009 AUD.

    For example:

  • Cost of vehicle $48,000 USD = $48000 x 100/ 83.05 cents AUD to USD = $57796.00 AUD
  • Cost of Loading and Shipping $4420.00 AUD
  • Insurance Cost $57796 AUD x 1% = $577.96 AUD
  • GST = 10% of the above = $6279.39 AUD

    • Total Landed Value = $57,796.00 AUD + $4420.00 AUD + $577.96 AUD + $6279.39 AUD = $69,073.35 AUD

    Therefore $69,073.35 less $57,009 LCT threshold = difference of $12,064.35 x 25% = $3,016.08 AUD as the component for Luxury Car Tax.

    Therefore the Total Landed Price of the Car will be:

  • Purchase Price $57,796.00 AUD
  • Shipping $4420.00 AUD
  • Insurance $577.96 AUD
  • GST $6279.39 AUD
  • Luxury Car Tax $3016.08 AUD

    • Landed Price = $72,089.43 AUD

    (Calculation is based on an exchange rate of 83.05 cents AUD to USD)

    Air Conditioning Requirements

    Effective from 1st of May 2004... Imported vehicles equipped with an air conditioner maybe subject to the provisions of the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas management Act 1989.

    Refrigerant R12 also known as CFC-12, Freon, dichlorodifluoromethane is a banned substance in Australia and any air conditioner that is charged with R12 will need it removed before import.

    Any vehicle equipped with an air-conditioning system charged with R12 will require the filler valve and the receiver to be removed.

    Any air-conditioner systems fitted with any seals and hoses that are only R12 compatible must be removed and / or replaced.

    Air conditioning compressors, condensors, receivers must be removed and remain in the country of origin.

    Significant penalties and fees can be applied to the owner or importer if the vehicle arrives in Australia and doesn't comply with the aforementioned Act.

    Cost of undertaking the required work can vary from $150 to $300.00 USD including the provision of a certificate of compliance from an authorised and registered technician.