So near and yet, so far

[Mike_S]

Went down to Docklands this morning to witness my car being unpacked from its container, with the hope (albeit slim) of driving it away today. 3hrs later I came back home without it :(

http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/424571_368731853151198_100000431592499_1242753_493 969734_n.jpg

2 months in a container on the high seas have had an interesting effect on the exhaust, it's now covered in surface rust, what looks like mould (but isn't) and weirdly, a number of inch long stalactites hanging off it ! Luckily though, it started fine and with judicious use of a broom handle through the window to press the brake pedal I could then get the park brake off and put it into neutral, so we could push it out of the container. To say it's a snug fit is an understatement :p

So, I managed to drive it about 30 feet into the quarantine shed, where I unpacked everything for inspection. Mr Quarantine came round, looked at the stuff, cleared it all and then went to the car. And said it's a 4x4, you have foot & mouth in the UK, I want it steam cleaning. :eek:

We had foot & mouth 4 years before the car was built ffs ! I had to laugh though, there was no changing his mind so it's now waiting to be carted off for steam cleaning next week and I might have it by Thursday, once I've stumped up a large wedge for a towtruck & a steaming session. All he wants is the arches steaming out, the underside is fine after being steamed before it left the UK. Unfortunately the day it went to docks was a bad one, very heavily salted roads and despite a wash a few miles from the port it's just a bit grubby on the plastics now, so I couldn't really argue. Wanted to argue, but decided against it :p

Not long now, but it's killing me it really is....

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/423855_368758139815236_100000431592499_1242776_195 3360649_n.jpg

[SBD4]

Mate, that's tough to take! Love the expedition rack with lights!

[slug_burner]

Went down to Docklands this morning to witness my car being unpacked from its container, with the hope (albeit slim) of driving it away today. 3hrs later I came back home without it :(

..snip...



Wanted to argue, but decided against it :p

Not long now, but it's killing me it really is....



Wise move.

There is just no reasoning.

[ososlo]

Know the feeling...they took my container away for xraying b4 we could get it from the shipping agents..

On the positive side we got to know Manly (and Sydney) better than we would have...

Luckily , coming from NZ , our D3 was spotless and they didn't require any cleaning but the whole episode took over a week...

Bringing it back to NZ was painless and took a day

[Vin Rouge]

Keep at it. The bureaucracy here is amazing. You've now got to jump through the hoops of private import and registration. Prepare to shell out. You'll get there eventually but if my experience is anything to go by, it's a very frustrating business.

[Mike_S]

Know the feeling...they took my container away for xraying b4 we could get it from the shipping agents..

Yep, they did that as well. Should've done all this on Tuesday but for that.

To top it all the customs agents don't trust the place it's at to clean it without damaging it, so it's got to be carted away on a towtruck to be cleaned. My pockets are getting emptier by the day....

[sniegy]

Mate, that is so painful.
If you need any help let me know.

Cheers

[Meccles]

I recently resigned from MUA. I think we as country need to stand up and rant against some of the stupidity we all are being enforced to endure. Too much of the "don't argue, there is no reasoning with these people". This is bs really, I mean we make the laws/elect the people. I work o/s mainly, and it kills me to see how Australia has turned into one of the most difficult, frustrating and illogical places to either work, or bring items into. We all should stand up and argue against stupidity/illogical thought process. My thought for the evening.:twisted:

[Mike_S]

It's here at last and the grin couldn't be removed from my face after driving away from the fumigation yard. :cool:

Cost me $600 to have it trucked & cleaned, when I got to the yard it suspiciously had an extra 1.2 miles on the clock and 2 miles range fuel left. I'd zeroed the trip and noted it had 18 miles range in the tank when I unpacked it on Friday. I'm sure it's a complete coincidence that the fumigation firm are 1.2 miles away from the transport yard and of course I've had to pay a $250 towtruck fee as the car wasn't allowed on the road until it was steam cleaned. :mad:

Anyway, passed its RWC & VASS inspection this morning, next up is the import permit sticker then an appointment with VicRoads. I have to say though, it's fantastic to have it back.

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/424417_372000256157691_100000431592499_1252023_144 8132849_n.jpg

[101RRS]

Good to see :).

When I imported my Jag into Sydney in 1983 I also had to get it steamed cleaned by AQIS even though it has been thoroughly cleaned before leaving the Uk.

The car was landed at Pyrmont near the CBD but the AQIS washing facility was over at Botany on Botany Bay - As the car still had current UK registration I was told to drive the car over to the AQIS yard to get it cleaned which I did :o - so much for protecting the country.

While I was expecting some hi-tech process - they just squirted under the wheel arches with a small Gerni and that was it - I then drove the car to Newcastle.

Garry

[Mike_S]

They've given it a cursory blast under the wheelarches and in the engine bay, other than that it was actually filthier when I collected it than when I left it last Friday. The yard was just a mess of dirt, dust & ratty old containers, with 4 other imported cars parked up, 1 old Alfa Spider from the UK and 3 TransAm's from the US. I'm annoyed that I've paid $250 for a towtruck when it's pretty clear the car's been driven, but I can't prove anything so will have to suck it up.

I've never driven into a petrol station with it saying 0 miles range though, that had the heart beating I can tell you.

[slug_burner]

I think it is worth a letter with your observations to the AQIS office and the company that charged for the tow truck to ask for an explanation or a refund.

[Mully]

We've imported into Aus for a few years for business reasons and the baloney these people come up with is simply staggering. The 'lucky country' tag has quickly faded in recent years alas.

However that truck of yours looks awesome.... surprised it hasn't got some sort of front bar on it but it sure looks worth the pain you've gone through! Nice.

Cheers.

[Dirty3]

I think it is worth a letter with your observations to the AQIS office and the company that charged for the tow truck to ask for an explanation or a refund.

Absolutely agree, you might not get anywhere but its worth a try. Lots of bureaucracy (changing of paperwork - $) goes on around the docks you can bet.

Nice truck by the way Mike.