Car import rules to be relaxed from 2018

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Originally Posted by Cambo351

Sure.

But these tax-free export sales from the UK have existed for years, available to just about every country in the world. It's not a new concept.


Did you click the link to that calculator tool which shows all of those costs?

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Every country in the World except Australia. There are only 3 ways for an individual to import a vehicle to Australia.

1. Be a new migrant and bring the vehicle you already own with you.
2. Be an Australian resident, working overseas and bring a vehicle you've owned for 12 months before you return.
3. Purchase a car built before 1 January 1989.

The only other ways to import a vehicle is under the Specialist and Enthusiasts Vehicles Scheme using a RAWS authorised company.

see: https://infrastructure.gov.au/vehicles/imports/

I'm well aware of that, I personally imported my Jag XJR when I moved back here from Europe.

These new changes to the law will allow the import of new cars, ie through these tax free export sales.

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Originally Posted by DiscoMick

And what about ADR approval? Would the vehicle be legally registerable?

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I think the ADRs will eventually be phased out and international rules will probably be adopted. For the older cars, they will still have to be inspected and approved.

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Originally Posted by Mick_Marsh

I think the ADRs will eventually be phased out and international rules will probably be adopted. For the older cars, they will still have to be inspected and approved.

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For an older classic (currently pre-1989) they are required to have an authorised engineers approval for first rego. The engineer needs to certify that the vehicle complies with the applicable ADR at the date of the vehicle's manufacture.

This engineer's certificate has to be carried in the car for the rest of the vehicle's life. Private imports in the pre-1989 category do not get a personal import plate as happens with younger vehicles that you import when you migrate or return from a period working overseas.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cambo351

I'm well aware of that, I personally imported my Jag XJR when I moved back here from Europe.

These new changes to the law will allow the import of new cars, ie through these tax free export sales.

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O.K. and yes, as happened in Australia decades ago, but Australian taxes and tariffs need to be paid at the port of arrival. Not saying you, but some people think they can get a vehicle out of Europe tax free and it will arrive here tax free.

The moving of the pre 1989 Import on a year per year basis is good for bringing in younger vehicles, but its going to take many years to get in to the 2000 model year and onwards.

Land Rover will not support warranty for a none AU supplied dealer car, and I am sure others don't, I don't think this will change, there under no obligation to do so.

Its ok going to vauxhall for example getting a new corsa, but the radio will not be AU spec, the Satnav will not be AU spec, and also some vehicles are different mechanical for other markets.

Then theres all the other costs, UK transportation, AU transportation, shipping costs, insurance.

And if the $ stays strong then its not going to be any cheaper.

If it's not going to be cheaper to make your own import then it's a non-issue...

I do find it interesting that the official statement on the Land Rover Australia Website is only blocking tourist sales because of the compliance plates.

Land Rover? - Tourist Sales - Land Rover? Australia

Under the new laws, there will be no compliance plates anymore!

The radio frequencies and satnav maps are a non-issue. They can be changed in minutes to the local maps & other settings. I know, i've already had to do it.

Other things about the vehicle spec for Australia, there is nothing "Australian Market only" apart from the towbars, and a few settings in the CCF...

I agree though that it might not be worth the bother to import your own new Land Rover, if you are only saving a few % at the most compared to a locally delivered car.

For other brands though this a real shake-up...

Years ago it used to be cheaper to buy a UK made car in Europe then drive it back to the UK. People were ordering RHD cars for delivery in France etc. and bringing them home.
This was more to do with the pricing policy for each country & exchange rates.

Then there was the 'grey' market where companies imported and bypassed the local agent.
I had a Ducati 900SS with a Kph speedo which was about 1,500GBP cheaper than buying from the Dealer. Problem was, when I went to sell it, Ducati lowered the price of new bikes by about 1,000GBP to stop the grey imports. That cost me.......


Colin

NZ seems to be pretty open to imports, so I wonder if this will result in more Aussies buying vehicles in NZ and shipping them over here.
Many of our vehicles are made in Thailand, so I wonder if Thailand will become a source of grey imports. Lots of Thai-built cars already get moved into neighbouring countries such as Malaysia, Burma and Cambodia. Old Camrys seem to go to Cambodia to struggle on until they eventually die.

I'm sitting on the fence if this is a good idea or not. Sure everyone wants the cheapest prices possible - even at the expensive of "possible" Australian jobs? I don't buy the "consumer choice" line either - don't we have enough models of cars to "choose" from already in this country? Im all in favour of being able to bring in a car that's not normally available through the existing channels however. I think removal of the luxury car tax would be a better idea to give consumers a better deal, but in this current economic climate I cant see the removal of a tax being a favourable option to the government.