Private imports, any one familiar with this process?

[usuckpoo]

Hi guys,

Just tot some guys who have done this before can share their experience with me.

I am due to return to OZ land in the later half of 2005. As i have owned the car overseas for more than a year, i understand that i do qualify to bring it back as a private import in which i am not subject to compliance costs.

I was just wondering what other costs would i expect to incur to get the car registered for aussie roads? The only major cost currently on my list now is shipping the car back.

The complexity here is that the car is modified, and my concern is that the relevant authorities might not permit such vehicles since the current rule of thumb for normal imports is that they have to remain stock. Does this apply to private imports as well?

Car in question is a 1999 Lexus IS200.....with a 1jzgte and mannual gearbox conversion.

The current registration papers do not reflect the change in engine, or the gearbox conversion.

[saff_cossie]

I have never heard anything about imports having to be stock. Mine was modified when it came over. I have a friend bringing in a heavily modifed car as a personal import at the moment so there doesnt seem to be a restriction, just that it has to meet the ADR's here eventually to be signed off.

Manual Lexus are available here anyway so wouldnt see that as a problem and not sure what the other thing is!

The tests for a Private Import are more leanient than for a 15 year import anyway.

[GTR V]

Hi guys,

I was just wondering what other costs would i expect to incur to get the car registered for aussie roads? The only major cost currently on my list now is shipping the car back.

The current registration papers do not reflect the change in engine, or the gearbox conversion.

I have just been through it

Import approval

Freight

Valuation for customs

Duty

GST

Quarantine fees

Quarantine attendance

Electronic entry charge

Brokerage fee

Special attendance with customs

Transport from wharf

Compliance charges if any

Sign off

REVS

Registration

Insurance

Stamp duty

GTR V

[blacky]

That doesnt sound too bad GTR V, not dissimilar to a 15yo import. I'd imagine there would be a shitload more paperwork and red tape that comes with it though? Reading up on personal imports on DOTAR's website makes it sound like a nightmare.

[usuckpoo]

Thanks for your advise and experience guys.... appreciate it.

GTRV: do u have a rough sum of the total costs of all that u mentioned ? (apart from the cost of the car of cos)

I had the impression that personal imports would be subject to alot less redtape/paperwork/regulation to normal impports that require compliance or even a 15 yr old import.

Not sure though becos DOTARS site is hard to decipher and they dont seem to respond to emails

[GTR V]

I have just been through it

Import approval                               $50

Freight                                              Depends wherit comes from

Valuation for customs                      $250 + GST

Duty                                                 15% of Value

GST                                                  10% of CIF

Quarantine fees                        Depends if it needs cleaning and then reinspecting

Quarantine attendance                    $25 + GST          

Electronic entry charge                     $51.90

Brokerage fee                                   $375 + GST

Special attendance with customs     $50 + GST

Transport from wharf                        $60 + GST

Compliance charges if any                only child restraints for me

Sign off                                             $200 + GST

REVS                                                  

Registration                                      $363.70  for a 6 cyl

Insurance

Stamp duty                                       2% of what you value the is worth ( QLD )

GTR  V

These are actual figures and will vary with each individual car

GTR V

[GTR V]

Thanks for your advise and experience guys.... appreciate it.

GTRV:  do u have a rough sum of the total costs of all that u mentioned ? (apart from the cost of the car of cos)

I had the impression that personal imports would be subject to alot less redtape/paperwork/regulation to normal impports that require compliance or even a 15 yr old import.

Not sure though becos DOTARS site is hard to decipher and they dont seem to respond to emails

Import approval $50

Freight Depends wherit comes from

Valuation for customs $250 + GST

Duty 15% of Value

GST 10% of CIF

Quarantine fees Depends if it needs cleaning and then reinspecting

Quarantine attendance $25 + GST

Electronic entry charge $51.90

Brokerage fee $375 + GST

Special attendance with customs $50 + GST

Transport from wharf $60 + GST

Compliance charges if any only child restraints for me

Sign off $200 + GST

REVS

Registration $363.70 for a 6 cyl

Insurance

Stamp duty 2% of what you value the is worth ( QLD )

These are actual figures and will vary with each individual car

GTR V

[GTR V]

Thanks for your advise and experience guys.... appreciate it.

GTRV:  do u have a rough sum of the total costs of all that u mentioned ? (apart from the cost of the car of cos)

I had the impression that personal imports would be subject to alot less redtape/paperwork/regulation to normal impports that require compliance or even a 15 yr old import.

Not sure though becos DOTARS site is hard to decipher and they dont seem to respond to emails

Import approval $50

Freight Depends where it comes from

Valuation for customs $250 + GST

Duty 15% of Value

GST 10% of CIF

Quarantine fees Depends if it needs cleaning and then reinspecting

Quarantine attendance $25 + GST

Electronic entry charge $51.90

Brokerage fee $375 + GST

Special attendance with customs $50 + GST

Transport from wharf $60 + GST

Compliance charges if any Only child restraints for me

Sign off $200 + GST

REVS With Rego

Registration $363.70 for a 6 cyl

Insurance

Stamp duty 2% of what you value the car is worth ( QLD )

These are actual figures and will vary with each individual car

GTR V

[usuckpoo]

I have never heard anything about imports having to be stock. Mine was modified when it came over. I have a friend bringing in a heavily modifed car as a personal import at the moment so there doesnt seem to be a restriction, just that it has to meet the ADR's here eventually to be signed off.

Manual Lexus are available here anyway so wouldnt see that as a problem and not sure what the other thing is!

The tests for a Private Import are more leanient than for a 15 year import anyway.

I understand now that compliance plate holders can only bring cars that are stock and not modified, my primary concern is that they will reject my application to bring the car in upon inspection when the car arrives due to "non standard engine etc etc" and then i'd be left in the deep end becos i cant register the car in any australian state.

[GTR V]

Go and talk to someone at a compliance shop and ask the questions

GTR V

[saff_cossie]

The legislation is continually being revised so it could be that it has changed. I bought mine in back in September and I know bits changed several times whilst mine was on the boat. Do as GTR V says and chat to someone in a compliance shop or email DOTARS.

I emailed DOTARS a fair bit prior to mine coming in and they are really helpful. Address is something like vimports@dotars.gov.au