Thread: Importing defender 90 from uk

Originally Posted by Nessy90

Hey

I have a 1995 300tdi 90 defender, to nice to leave back in England.
Can anyone inlighten me in how i go about importing it, i have done lots of research but just get more confused.
Things i need help in -
Is it possible? firstly
How clean is clean, what about oil leaks?
Im on a one year working visa hoping to get sponsored, does that mean im a tempory visiter and do not have to pay import tax untill after a year?
What mods to satisfy Road safety will need to be done?
How much, costs people forget about?

Any help would be handy.
Thanks George

If on a working holiday visa I wouldn't bother, It's too much of a process to be bothered with, I would get it taxed for the year you are supposing to be here in Australia (best country in the world may I add) and then put it in storage battery removed, axles supported taking the weight off the tyres (as they perish pretty good with a British winter and summer(you know the two hot days you get a year) I would also be inclined to steam clean and waxoyl it as must have copped some salt with the winter you just had this year.
Then if you do get sponsored you can consider it then,my other thought is that you then have a nice 90 sitting back home should the sponsorship not happen! the reason to keep it taxed is that it shows that its on the road (potentially) should you import it I believe they want proof of ownership and use for a time prior coming into Australia is relevent, The one thing that could make it hard is that I think it is 2 years too new for Importation would check on the website to be sure if I was you.
The reason I say store it is the following: you would be nuts to try and import a vehicle on such a short period (1 year all that drama not good value)
2nd point is having been one of those 'bloody backpackers' in a former life as with normal life things change, and if you run out of cash I would not be sure that you would be allowed to sell the vehicle in Australia when you imported it on a temporary import.
Seriously I would really consider your options, you can get a lovely disco 1 which would see you right for travelling around Aus at the right money just don't buy a ford or Holden station wagon off another backpacker the likelyhood is that it has been flogged round Aus many times and the car has forgotten what it's like to be serviced.
That is some free advice matey, hope you do come to Aus and have a blinding time, might as well make it easy on yourself at the same time

Just read you are already here!!! totally forget it go get yourself a cheapie unless you have minted parents who really love you even then it's too hard.

Sadly no rich parents to help, good news i start a job tomorow with sponsorship on the cards. But like you say still no garantee yet. Are you saying you cant import cars post 1993? I think i have no choice, i either have to sell it to be able to buy a new car in australia or import it. Dont want to sell, its nearly as bad as leaving the family back in england!!!
Thanks for your advice

Originally Posted by Nessy90

Hey

I have a 1995 300tdi 90 defender, to nice to leave back in England.
Can anyone inlighten me in how i go about importing it, i have done lots of research but just get more confused.
Things i need help in -
Is it possible? firstly
How clean is clean, what about oil leaks?
Im on a one year working visa hoping to get sponsored, does that mean im a tempory visiter and do not have to pay import tax untill after a year?
What mods to satisfy Road safety will need to be done?
How much, costs people forget about?

Any help would be handy.
Thanks George

You have no chance in bring this 90 in if you are on a working Visa, before you can even start the process of applying for a import permit, you will have to be a resident of Australia or a citizen. Most temporary Visa.s ie 457 etc, allow you to being your car in for the duration of your visa, ie 4 years, as for import tax, of course you have to pay this, its based on the the value of the car, add 10% for the tax and the GST..... maybe you could get this back but i doubt it...

Shipping ro-on ro off, 1200 UK plus add another $2k for when it gets here, 20 foot ISO container, 1800 UK pounds, plus similar cost again once landed. Allow 6/7 thousand $ and that would cover your shipping costs.

Contact the relevant federal department. The department has to grant import approval. Without this, most shipping companies will not accept the job. There are rules and a procedure. If your request is legitimate and according to the rules, no problems. Do not try to deceive or dud them or Australian Customs. They may seem to be obtuse bureaucrats but they are not stupid.

Originally Posted by juddy

before you can even start the process of applying for a import permit, you will have to be a resident of Australia or a citizen. Most temporary Visa.s ie 457 etc, allow you to being your car in for the duration of your visa, ie 4 years, as for import tax, of course you have to pay this, its based on the the value of the car, add 10% for the tax and the GST..... maybe you could get this back but i doubt it...

A whole lot of wrong in this post...

You can import a car on a 457, but it is at the discrestion of the Aus Government - Applying is cheap and easy. Once its here, it is here, and there are no rules forcing its return at the end of for example the 457 if that is what you are on.

And you dont obv don't need to be a resident or citizen to have a 457.

Is that so then i stand corrected!!!!

however a 1 year working visa is not a 457, and thus as below you must re export after one year, interesting to note if you break the rules and decided to stay, your car can too, if you pay up...

Tourists and Temporary Residents
Section 162 - Import Declaration Required/VIA Required

As a tourist or temporary resident, you may bring a road vehicle to Australia for a period of up to 12 months without payment of duty and taxes, provided a VIA is obtained prior to your importation. Your road vehicle must be subsequently exported from Australia within the approved time limit. All fittings and accessories imported with the road vehicle must also be exported with the same road vehicle.

Approval for temporary imports is granted under Section 162 of the
Customs Act 1901 (the Act). Goods that qualify as temporary imports can be imported under:

a security or undertaking, equal to the amount of duty and GST and if applicable, LCT that would be payable on importation. The security may be in the form of cash or a bank guarantee.
Under provisions set out in the Act, on application, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Customs may extend the period of temporary importation. Applications to extend this period must be made prior to the expiry of the temporary importation period.

If your road vehicle is not exported within the approved time limit, you will forfeit the security. This also applies where the road vehicle is lost or stolen and therefore unable to be exported when required.

If you remain in Australia and you decide to keep your road vehicle with you, you may apply to have your import declaration amended. This will create a duty and tax liability which you are required to pay to finalise your importation. To organise a refund of the security you will need to advise Customs that you have amended your import declaration and paid the duty and GST.

Indeed, re the temporary visas, but you specifically stated 457.

Rgds
Pete

The money it would cost to prepare the vehicle and the cost of shipping etc. surely you'd be better to buy one here.

I was going to bring my landrover over when we emigrated, but weighing up all the costs involved and all the hassles it was just so much easier to buy a "rustfree" one when you are here.