Aircon gas question

[Beer Baron]

Hi guys,

There was an announcement earlier this year that all cars being inmported that had R12 refrigerant in their a/c system had to be de-gassed before import, and a certificate supplied to DOTARS when seeking import approval.

I have now been told that they have taken a step back on this and that a private citizen importing a car from Japan (under 15yo rule) does not need to have the degassing done. I can't find anything on DOTARS site to back this up though and want to be sure before I get nailed for importing a car with R12 still in it.

Does anyone know if that advice is correct?

Thanks,

Richard

[DLuded]

im importing a r32 1989 model and it has to be done

$300 i think

[KILL HSV]

im importing a r32 1989 model and it has to be done

$300 i think

i'm getting my car soon and they've told me that private importers don't need to do it nemore, which is handy

[raz0r$harP.UK]

Guys when I imported my 15yo car last month, I was chasing up my import broker for the degassing certificates. He told me the govt no longer required that for a private importer.

However when Customs asked for the proof, I told them about the 'backflip' and their reply was 'that it was news to us.'

They then spoke to someone from the Dept of Environment and Heritage in Canberra (who actually made the initial decisions about degassing), and they told Customs it was still required. Proof could be given in the form of a certificate or license number of someone authorised to degas the car.

I never chased this up with my broker, as I eventually received clearance for my vehicle..

[Beer Baron]

This is worrying. Like I said I've been advised that it no longer has to be done for private importers but if the car gets here and customs tells me it should have been done I will be well screwed. I would (obviously) prefer not to have to have it done mainly because R134a is no where near as good as a refrigerant and the a/c is never as nice (cold) once it's been converted

So the question still stands has anyone got any solid advice (from the Government - not a broker) as to whether or not degassing is required for a private citizen importing a 15yo car?

Richard

[SteveL]

So the question still stands has anyone got any solid advice (from the Government - not a broker) as to whether or not degassing is required for a private citizen importing a 15yo car?

I would like to know as well.

My broker has advised that there is no requirement for aircon degas, but there are people landing cars now that are contradicting that advice:

http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/sh...ead.php?t=48715

[jake32]

if it has r12 in it it must be degassed and documents to prove it must be supplied at entry

transition arrangement have been made where a car has arrived with r12 ...car has been released after signing agreement that car will be retrofitted with 134a and documents/invoice to prove must be presented to dept of enviroment and heritage within 21days of release

just been thru all of this

if car has 134a in it raws/or importer need licence to import

[ylwgtr2]

wat if there is no aircon pupm fitted to the vehicle....ie the vehicle was fitted with a/c from the factory but at some stage the a/c pump was removed.....and stuffed in the boot

[jake32]

dept of environment and heritage

02-62741373

ring em and ask

[KILL HSV]

if it has r12 in it it must be degassed and documents to prove it must be supplied at entry

transition arrangement have been made where a car has arrived with r12 ...car has been released after signing agreement that car will be retrofitted with 134a and documents/invoice to prove must be presented to dept of enviroment and heritage within 21days of release

just been thru all of  this

if car has 134a in it raws/or importer need licence to import

where did u see this? and when?

[jake32]

this has been going on since april ....

where did i see it ???? not sure what u mean

i import cars for a living...i was notified by customs if thats what you mean

like i said ring D.E.H in canberra...its their B/S

[KILL HSV]

this has been going on since april ....

where did i see it ???? not sure what u mean  

i import cars for a living...i was notified by customs if thats what  you mean

like i said ring D.E.H in canberra...its their    B/S

ok it's just that the importer i'm with, told me the govt. had a total backflip of the rule for private importers, just changed like 2 weeks ago or something (r u still classed as private importer? or a business? that might be why its different?) but neway someone is wrong.

[jake32]

i think a phone call to canberra .will answer your question

my understanding of the law is that it is illegal to import r12 gas regardless of who u are...has been for years apparently..but only now have they deceided to include cars/trucks etc that have gas in them or can run on r12

the transition arrangement as described earlier have been put in place for private importers and others that got caught out when law was passed earlier this year...and their cars wherein transit

[funkymonkey]

the way I did mine was just get my agent in japan to take the Air con reservoir out and put it in the glovebox and ship it. takes 5 mins and costs nothing. Once its here I'll regas it with Ozone friendly refrigerant...

[Beer Baron]

ok it's just that the importer i'm with, told me the govt. had a total backflip of the rule for private importers, just changed like 2 weeks ago or something (r u still classed as private importer? or a business? that might be why its different?) but neway someone is wrong.

This is the same trouble I'm having. Like I said I don't want to end up with my car being held up in customs, but if the importer insists that it's not neccessary it may be a problem...

Richard

[sewid]

People I am talking to about importing a newer car under SEVS are saying that it's possible to privately import 1 car for private use without degassing.

[raz0r$harP.UK]

Okay guys, I called up the Dept of Environment and Heritage today and got the lowdown..

Since March or so, it was a requirement that ALL imported vehicles with the old gas needed to be de-gassed (which we all knew).

But in recent times, there's been a change to the rules. People who are bringing in one off imports for personal use (i.e, not for trade or commerce) do not need degassing to be carried out.

To qualify, you simply need to:

- make a declaration stating the car is for personal use, AND

- provide proof of identity (eg Driver's Licence / Passport)

If you are using a customs agent, simply provide the required documentation to them.

Once they check it out, DEH will then issue a clearance direct to the Customs COMPILE system. Of course, normal DOTARS / Customs / etc requirements still apply.

I was also told that this exemption will apply to ONE car only within a TWO year period, and will be closely monitored by DEH.

Anyway, you can contact them on 02 6274 1111 for more info.

[jake32]

People I am talking to about importing a newer car under SEVS are saying that it's possible to privately import 1 car for private use without degassing.

if it has r134a in at (1996 model onwards) ...it does not have to be degassed...but the importer or RAWS workshop has to have .a pre charged equipment licence to import it(r134a) ..no one has degas 134a overseas or when it gets here

[SteveL]

Well I spoke to an officer at the DEH today and this is the situation:

If the car being imported is for personal use and is a 'one off' (IOW the car is not being imported as part of a business to be on-sold, etc) then de-gassing, etc is NOT required. In that situation the DEH require that the owner provide a declaration to the effect that the car is for personal use and that no other cars will be imported. The declaration is to sent to DEH together with the Bill of Lading and purchase invoice by the Customs Agent when the car arrives (if you are not using an agent you will have to make your own arrangements). They also require some form of ID of the owner (certified copy of passport or drivers licence) to be sent with the other docs. The DEH will then provide approval/exemption for import and the car will clear customs.

So if you are privately importing through a broker and the car is for 'you', de-gassing is not required, subject to some extra paperwork.

Some things to note:

- my discussions were about a car coming in under the 15+yo rule and with R12 gas. I don't know what the situation will be in other cases (eg R134a gas).

- I plan on having all the above confirmed in writing ASAP.....I'm not going to rely just on a telephone conversation.

[SteveL]

Okay guys, I called up the Dept of Environment and Heritage today and got the lowdown..

Since March or so, it was a requirement that ALL imported vehicles with the old gas needed to be de-gassed (which we all knew).

But in recent times, there's been a change to the rules. People who are bringing in one off imports for personal use (i.e, not for trade or commerce) do not need degassing to be carried out.

To qualify, you simply need to:

- make a declaration stating the car is for personal use, AND

- provide proof of identity (eg Driver's Licence / Passport)

If you are using a customs agent, simply provide the required documentation to them.

Once they check it out, DEH will then issue a clearance direct to the Customs COMPILE system. Of course, normal DOTARS / Customs / etc requirements still apply.

I was also told that this exemption will apply to ONE car only within a TWO year period, and will be closely monitored by DEH.

Anyway, you can contact them on 02 6274 1111 for more info.

Beat me to it......LOL