When moving to Australia, many are unaware of the specific steps involved in importing specific goods, especially vehicles. There is a very detailed importation process to follow, from the initial application phase to customs and quarantine stages. To take some of the stress away and ease the process for you during the hectic moving period, here is a comprehensive list of everything you need to know to ensure your vehicle arrives in Australia safely and smoothly.
Different Types of Import Approval
First things first, there are four primary types of approval when importing a vehicle into Australia. These are: vehicle type approval, reimportation import approval that is used for previously imported cars, the Concessional Register of Approved Vehicles (RAV) entry approval, and non-RAV entry import approval, which covers cars imported for a specific reason. The kind of approval you are seeking will depend upon the circumstances of import and intention, and the type of car in question.
Applying for Approval
There are multiple steps to take in order to apply for approval by the Australian Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications to import your vehicle into the country. To begin, you must first review your vehicle and assess whether you are eligible to apply, as well as whether your car meets standard safety requirements outlined by the Vehicle Safety Standards Branch. You will also need to determine which of the approvals outlined above you are applying for, what documentation you will need to supply and to which government body, and any costs and timeframes involved in the process. Next, you need to register and create an account on the department site ROVER, pay the fee, and complete the application form provided. You will then receive an email of approval either permitting your cars entrance or outlining specific conditions to your import approval.
Shipping and Next Steps
Once the approvals have gone through, it is up to the shipping stage of the import process. Here, you prepare your car for importation, taking all precautionary measures such as asbestos testing, draining all air-conditioning, and undergoing a deep steam-clean to prevent any hazardous materials entering during import. Talk to an international moving company and they can guide and help you better.
What does Customs Mean for Your Car?
Now it is time to ensure your car is cleared for customs. First, you must lodge an import declaration through the Australian Border Force before the import process can go any further. In this step, you must also pay Customs Duty, as well as any tax including Goods and Services tax (GST) and the Luxury Car Tax (LCT) if applicable. You will not need to calculate this yourself, but it is helpful to be aware of the additional costs of clearing custom control when importing into a new country.
The Quarantine Process
Once the import declaration is approved and your car has been efficiently prepped for transport, you need to lodge a Quarantine Entry with the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment, followed by booking an inspection appointment for final approvals.
Australia is strict on upholding biosecurity laws and integrity. When you lodge a Quarantine Entry, it is important to ensure that every inch of your vehicle has been cleaned during the shipping preparation stage, including any dirt or particles that may be present on the car’s exterior and interior. If you are unsure how to properly clean your vehicle to the necessary standard, visit the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment for more information on the quarantine process.
Important Things to Note
After you have completed all the necessary steps and made sure you have met the import approval conditions, you can then register your vehicle for the state/ territory you are using the vehicle within. It is important to double check you have met specific requirements for your import and made any modifications. This is because if your vehicle comes to Australia and there is no import approval in progress or no evidence of compliance, your vehicle will be rejected entry and seized in customs indefinitely.
Some important things to note include the timeframes for approvals. It can take up to a month for your approval to be reviewed, meaning if you need an import to arrive by a specific date, you need to consider approval times.
In addition, there are a number of associated costs involved with importation. These include Custom Duties, GST, LCT, custom broker’s charge, insurance, shipment costs, cleaning fees, and fees to process your import applications etc. When planning on importing, it is important to consider these accumulative costs before beginning the process, so you can accommodate accordingly.
Finally, familiarise yourself with any laws or other details surrounding importing vehicles into Australia to ensure the process is as smooth as possible via the Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications.
Once everything is approved, your vehicle will be road-ready so you can officially drive the streets of Australia upon import.
