Personal imports

[DasLandRoverMan]

Lets say I were to move out to Aus on a permenant basis and the wife and I were to bring our Land Rovers with us...

I'm not particularly familiar with the rules surrounding imports but I am aware that we'd be allowed to have one apiece without lots of red tape and paying lots of import taxes, although they would have both needed to have been on the road over here for a period of more than 12 months.

Anyways, knowing the rules surrounding modification are a little less liberal over there in terms of certification etc, I'm left wondering where I might be with them in terms of getting them on the road over there.

In terms of mods, one is a 110 which left the factory as a Manual V8, but is now a diesel auto.
The other is still being built, but started life on leaf springs and is being converted to coils, Rangie axles, power steering etc.

So, any suggestions as to how it might work out would be much appreciated, if nothing else knowing what I'm in for would be useful.
I know the simplest solution would be to sell them and buy another that's already on the road over there, but I'm sure most will understand how attached you can get to your old crate...

The plan is to head to Adelaide, which probably makes a difference to the advice that's needed.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

You can bring over one vehicle per person, but you can bring others so long as they were owned by you for similiar time periods prior to emigration. It may be 18 months or two years.

Each vehicle needs to have an engineering certification to check if it complied with Australian Design Rules applicable at the time of manufacture. So long as the modifications are well done and meet emissions at that time there should be no problem with the auto 110.

The second one may be more problem and will require a significant engineering report of welding etc. The question would need to be asked whether it is worth the cot of bringing it over. However the rules for pre-1989 vehicles are less restrictive.

Which ever way they come over, you need the import authority before the vehicle arrives on Aussie shores.

Diana

[bee utey]

The one engineer in Adelaide I know personally who has done engineering submisssions for a few major vehicle mods on both my own and friends vehicles is Graeme Burton. He is well respected by the local vehicle engineering branch of motor reg (dept of transport). I'm sure he would be worth contacting for comment.

His email is graeme.burton(at)tonkin.com.au

[Bigbjorn]

You can bring over one vehicle per person, but you can bring others so long as they were owned by you for similiar time periods prior to emigration. It may be 18 months or two years.

Each vehicle needs to have an engineering certification to check if it complied with Australian Design Rules applicable at the time of manufacture. So long as the modifications are well done and meet emissions at that time there should be no problem with the auto 110.

The second one may be more problem and will require a significant engineering report of welding etc. The question would need to be asked whether it is worth the cot of bringing it over. However the rules for pre-1989 vehicles are less restrictive.

Which ever way they come over, you need the import authority before the vehicle arrives on Aussie shores.

Diana

Diana, most shippers will not touch the vehicle until the customer has the import permit. Also the phrase is "owned and used overseas" for the specified period of time. Not a problem for a resident of the exporting country, I would think. Oz citizens have to prove they were with and using the vehicle. I agree with you that it is probably better economic sense to sell them over there and buy here upon arrival. The second vehicle could indeed be a problem. Extensive mods done by who where? Got drawings, photos, trade certificates, welding tickets?

[loanrangie]

Unfortunately Brian that is rarely the case, i have lost count of how many vehicles we have had to clear customs without the owner/importer submitting a permit approval to DOTARS.
There is no law that says you cannot ship a vehicle without an import permit for the country of entry.

[DeeJay]

Most engine swap/ transmission changes etc can be approved by a Road Authority approved engineer. As long as the upgrade is with a more recent engine.
E.G I have an '85 County with a '95 Chev motor, upgraded brakes ( Discs on Rear & Holden V8 Master cyl) upgraded suspension, cooling system etc etc.
The engineer looked it over during the process & again when completed & certified it. I then took it to the motor reg dept who simply checked the chassis number & engine against the paperwork & approved it for registration. Once you get on to extreme modifications, the engineer has the final say and it would be fair to say if the vehicle has been previously registered in England, that goes a long way towards not needing extensive inspection here. Cost on todays value would be around $700- $850 as mine was $650 5 years ago.

[mools]

I know how attached one can get to vehicles but consider an alternative.

If you have the cash to buy premium vehicles, German high end cars are a good example, or if you are really cashed up an Astin Martin. Register and import when you come over, then sell for a profit - the luxury car tax on imports to Aus. means if you buy wisely you'll make money easy. Then buy landies here.

As a pretty straigh forward example a couple of G Wagons would net you a fair profit. There are others and if you fo your homewaork, I think you'd be surprised at how much you stand to make. Buy the right vehicle and you would be able to shift them quick smart. Fewer problems engineering a new vehicle.

New land, new oppertunitys.

Ian.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Diana, most shippers will not touch the vehicle until the customer has the import permit. Also the phrase is "owned and used overseas" for the specified period of time. Not a problem for a resident of the exporting country, I would think. Oz citizens have to prove they were with and using the vehicle. I agree with you that it is probably better economic sense to sell them over there and buy here upon arrival. The second vehicle could indeed be a problem. Extensive mods done by who where? Got drawings, photos, trade certificates, welding tickets?There have been numerous imports that arrived without the paperwork, the Land Rover lightweights in Darwin for ages were one group and a FV432 in Perth about 18 months ago another.

Yes people emigrating can brng cars these are Personal Imports (same as for Aussie ex-pats) and don't suffer the pre 1989 restrictions that apply to the rest of us, but only 1 at a time with a delay between vehicles. Ask Marco T owner of pre-production L40, he had another early 1948 that was sitting in Zimbabwe waiting till he could bring it over.

Once they've emigrated subsequent vehicles have to have been owned prior to emigration to Au, otherwise they fall under the same restrictions as apply to the rest of us.

[DasLandRoverMan]

Thanks for the replies so far people. Interesting reading.

Sounds like it might be worth consulting Mr Burton for his thoughts on things.

[Mick_Marsh]

Further reading
Importing Vehicles into Australia (http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/vehicles/imports/index.aspx)
Importing Motor Vehicles - Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (http://www.daff.gov.au/biosecurity/import/vehicles-machinery/motor-vehicles)

Get a cheap 101 that is complete, import that and modify it here.
I know a fellow in Melbourne who imported a coiled lightweight quite some years back. I'll PM you his contact details.

[Reads90]

Unfortunately Brian that is rarely the case, i have lost count of how many vehicles we have had to clear customs without the owner/importer submitting a permit approval to DOTARS.
There is no law that says you cannot ship a vehicle without an import permit for the country of entry.

No, but alot of shipping companies in the uk won't load it with out the documents from Aus officials as they get fined too.

They would not load mine until they had sighted the documents.

[Bigbjorn]

Unfortunately Brian that is rarely the case, i have lost count of how many vehicles we have had to clear customs without the owner/importer submitting a permit approval to DOTARS.
There is no law that says you cannot ship a vehicle without an import permit for the country of entry.

I have imported several pre-1989 vehicles from the USA in recent years and I can assure that not one of the agents I used will accept the vehicle without the import permit. Have a look at www.infrastructure.gov.au/vehicle/imports/

Here is the preamble. Note the first sentence of the fourth paragraph.

The importation of vehicles to Australia is prohibited except in very specific circumstances. Most vehicles are imported by large manufacturers that invest substantially in research and development to ensure that every new vehicle meets minimum safety standards that maintain the safest possible environment for all road users and our community. Manufacturers wanting to import vehicles to Australia for supply must first obtain an identification plate approval. Information on this process is available here.

Approved companies known as Registered Automotive Workshops (RAWs) may import a limited range of used vehicles on behalf of individuals. To find out if your make and model of vehicle is currently approved click here. If your vehicle is not currently approved you may be able to find a RAW that will import it for you. To check if your vehicle is eligible, click here. Please be aware that vehicles imported by RAWs must undergo a range of modifications and maintenance procedures to ensure that they meet minimum safety and environmental standards. You will be charged for this work and the costs of importation by the RAW.

Individuals can also apply to import vehicles to Australia. The Department administers legislation setting out when an import approval may be issued. More information on import options is available here.

A Vehicle Import Approval is required before a road vehicle is shipped. The vehicle will not be released from the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service unless it has a Vehicle Import Approval. All costs incurred in this process are the responsibility of the importer.

It is important to note that these requirements relate to vehicles designed solely or principally for the transportation of people, animals or goods on public roads. For vehicles that are not designed for road use, import approvals are not required, however a positive assessment of this through the Vehicle Import application process will ensure the clearance of your vehicle by the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service.

An application for a Vehicle Import Approval, with all necessary supporting documentation will generally be assessed by the Department within 15 working days of receipt (including payment of the lodgment fee). This is a service target and in unpredictable peak periods it may not be met. This process will take longer if any further information or clarification is required, if the necessary supporting documentation is not initially provided, or if the original application is incomplete.

Obtaining a Vehicle Import Approval is only one step in the process of importing a vehicle into Australia. Depending on the type of vehicle, the processes may be complex, involve several organisations, and take many weeks. For an overview of the process, click here.

This site provides you with information required to apply for a Vehicle Import Approval. In particular we recommend you review:

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Unfortunately Brian that is rarely the case, i have lost count of how many vehicles we have had to clear customs without the owner/importer submitting a permit approval to DOTARS.
There is no law that says you cannot ship a vehicle without an import permit for the country of entry.It is true that complete vehicles can be imported without Dept of Infrastructure and Transport import approval, but these vehicles can only be destined for the spare parts trade. Usually they come as half cuts to save space.

A vehicle imported without the Import Approval will never be able to be registered in Australia.

[loanrangie]

It is true that complete vehicles can be imported without Dept of Infrastructure and Transport import approval, but these vehicles can only be destined for the spare parts trade. Usually they come as half cuts to save space.

A vehicle imported without the Import Approval will never be able to be registered in Australia.

I do this for living so yes i know all that, what i said was that there are a lot of vehicles that require an import permit that arrive here without even an application being sent. This then makes Dotars take their time and usually takes up to 4 weeks to the get the approval meanwhile your shipment is gathering storage at a large rate.

[UncleHo]

The Lightweights that came into Darwin in 1999 with the Bedfords were from Brunei via Timor,imported by an English wheeler-dealer,first into Timor to sell to the UN,but they only wanted diesels,and they were petrol,so were re-imported in Australia arrived in Darwin dirty and with spiders,(Bedford was rumoured to have live snake :eek: impounded, Quarranteened, and washed,importer handed the bill BIG $$$ (6 figures) he went to Darwin Airport and bought 1 way ticket home,vehicles sat on Darwin wharf until Customs got sick of them,they went to Adelaide and were auctioned,six went to Sydney the others West,Colin Brown in Sydney had them/some I believe.

I have the 24V Radio truck, which was 16-HG-54 (last No unconfirmed)at the moment.it is a 1980 model S3 1/2 Air Portable.

cheers

[Mick_Marsh]

The Lightweights that came into Darwin in 1999 with the Bedfords were from Brunei via Timor,imported by an English wheeler-dealer,first into Timor to sell to the UN,but they only wanted diesels,and they were petrol,so were re-imported in Australia arrived in Darwin dirty wad with spiders
I believe there were some 101's in that lot.


I do this for living so yes i know all that, what i said was that there are a lot of vehicles that require an import permit that arrive here without even an application being sent. This then makes Dotars take their time and usually takes up to 4 weeks to the get the approval meanwhile your shipment is gathering storage at a large rate.
So, is it possible to import a complete vehicle to use for parts, to be dismantled, never to be registered?

[UncleHo]

G'day Mick

Yes,I believe there were 101's in that lot,don't know how many.

[digger]

this is our motor reg people.

Importing motor vehicles - Government of South Australia (http://www.sa.gov.au/subject/Transport%2C+travel+and+motoring/Motoring/Vehicles+and+registration/Vehicle+standards+and+modifications/Importing+motor+vehicles)

hope that helps... you'll enjoy being a crow eater!!
may I ask what trade you're in?

digger

[DasLandRoverMan]

Useful reading all, thanks. I would be interested to hear about the coiled lightweight that came in Mick.

I trained as an Agricultural Engineer, found myself mostly working on cars and 4WD's for someone else, and have spent the last 3 years self employed as a Land Rover specialist doing servicing, conversions, rebuilds etc.

The main limiting factor for us at the minute is getting the money together to get out there.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

If money is limited, you may be better throwing components like engines and transmissions etc into a container and bring them with you and building up a vehicle thats already here.

You'll have less problems and many vehicles here have better chassis than you find in the UK. Spares and accessories are always worthwhile and take up less volume than a complete vehicle. You may even consider an unstamped Marshland or Richards replacement chassis which is a spare part here and you only need a very cheap donor vehicle to build back up and stamp the VIN.

You may even find a buyer in the UK for what you have already done.

[FFR]

I know how attached one can get to vehicles but consider an alternative.

If you have the cash to buy premium vehicles, German high end cars are a good example, or if you are really cashed up an Astin Martin. Register and import when you come over, then sell for a profit - the luxury car tax on imports to Aus. means if you buy wisely you'll make money easy. Then buy landies here.

As a pretty straigh forward example a couple of G Wagons would net you a fair profit. There are others and if you fo your homewaork, I think you'd be surprised at how much you stand to make. Buy the right vehicle and you would be able to shift them quick smart. Fewer problems engineering a new vehicle.

New land, new oppertunitys.

Ian.

I can not agree more with Ian. I imported my 110 here almost two years ago... it didn't worth the hassle. 40 ft container (the landy plus a sankey) where approx 5 KAUD from London (Barking) to Sydney, and another 5 KAUD from Sydney to Woy Woy (big fees and small tax being a 1990 military). I did it just because the company was paying for the relocation. If not... just bring something that gives you a profit, as Ian said, and then buy a defender on here.

cheers,

Carlos