Has Anyone Dealt With Dotars

[michaelz]

I'm interested to know if anyone has dealt directly with DOTARS when trying to get a car imported. If so, how long did they take to process your application?

I sent off a private import application form a month ago and haven't heard back at all. Maximum delivery time to deliver back to Aus was quoted at 10 days so I'd be very surprised if it didn't get there by now. I know they haven't processed it yet because they charge $50 per application and I see no charges to the credit card # I provided them.

Problem is there's no way for me to verify if the paperwork has been delivered since DOTARS only accepts snail mail applications to a GPO BOX and I can't EMS it.

Thought I'd get started on the process early because the car's rego runs out in November and I don't plan on renewing it. The sooner I get the thing outta here the better. They're really not making things easy.

I can't exactly call them easily since they only list a 1800 number for vehicle import related and if I go through the switchboard I'll have to wait in queues and go through the auto menu. Costly at $2.50 a minute. :\

Any experiences with them would be appreciated.

Edited August 22, 2011 by michaelz

[blur]

I have heard that import approvals are around the 5 week mark (this is for the pre 89 scheme, not sure if its the same department)from a friend of mine who has just got some approvals through. When the $50 is taken from your account thats when they start the application process from my experience earlier this year. Was just over a week before I saw an approval in my case.

[michaelz]

Good to know.

So looks like my application is still floating around somewhere and the process hasn't started yet

If it takes up to 5 weeks, I guess I could be in for another 2 weeks wait assuming the paperwork was delivered within 10 days.

[Guest]

Personal Imports take a while and the direct number to the switch a Dept of Transport in Canberra is (02) 62747111.

[Iron Chef]

They do have an email address too, they just don't make it well known for fear they'll get bombarded. PM me if you want to email them and I'll send it over.