Australia Import Requirements
Before you can gain clearance of your motor vehicle or motorcycle through the Australian Customs Service (Customs), you will need to:
(1) Obtain a “VEHICLE IMPORT APPROVAL” from the Vehicle Safety Standards Branch of the Department of Transport and Regional Services (see the notice below);
(2) Pay customs duty, goods and services tax (GST) and, where applicable, Luxury Car Tax, and obtain a customs clearance at the port of entry; and
(3) Obtain quarantine clearance from the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service after the vehicle has arrived at the port of entry.
IMPORTANT NOTICE CONCERNING VEHICLE IMPORT APPROVAL
- To gain clearance of your motor vehicle/motorcycle at the port of entry, you will need a “VEHICLE IMPORT APPROVAL” which will be issued by the Vehicle Safety Standards Branch (VSSB) of the Department of Transport and Regional Services.
- There are a number of schemes under which a “VEHICLE IMPORT APPROVAL” may be granted. Each scheme has its own specific requirements. You should find out whether you can meet those requirements before committing to any action.
- The VSS Branch indicates that you should allow at least seventeen (17) days for processing of applications and you should not ship your vehicle until you have received your approval.
- The Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service inspects all vehicles on arrival and requires them to be properly cleaned. This is usually affected by steam cleaning. You should remove all soil and any other matter from your vehicle (including the underside) prior to its exportation to Australia.
- You should ask your shipping company any questions about freight costs to Australia, location of the vehicle for clearance, etc.
You should ask the state registration authority in the state in which the vehicle is to be registered any questions about registration of the vehicle.
- In order to clear your motor vehicle or motorcycle through Customs, a formal clearance is required. This will involve lodging an approved form entitled an “Entry for Home" |
