Thread: Importing a Camper Trailer

See if this helps:

New Arrangements on Importing Trailers

This probably sounds like extremely silly advice, but it might be worth checking where the trailer (or any other bit of gear) that you are interested in was actually built.

A lot of 4WD gear, including several breeds of off-road camper trailers that are sold in South Africa and UK (e.g.) are either built in Australia and exported there or are based on local manufacture of Australian designs.

Unless there is is a terrific price advantage to justify going through the hassle, or you already own one overseas, importing gear of any weight or size may not be all that advantageous. Whether the loss of warranty is worth it for something that expensive is also an issue perhaps.

I have purchased camping gear and 4WD bits in South Africa over the years, and it is usually good quality and also pretty tough, but these were usually small things that I could easily fit into my field kit for shipping home.

Specifically, the one I am after is Sth African manufactured, and the purchase price is 50% of what it sells for in Australia.

Originally Posted by Hamish71

Specifically, the one I am after is Sth African manufactured, and the purchase price is 50% of what it sells for in Australia.

That being the case, it sounds like something worth exploring. As a lot of people who have been to the Republic will know, the conditions there are pretty tough and so is the gear that they use. I guess that is why they also like our 4WD gear so much as well as build toughness into their own.

Cheers,

Originally Posted by Hamish71

Has anyone put any effort into what the legalities, and in fact the realities are of importing a camper trailer into Australia from overseas?...say Sth Africa, or the USA?

By the time you add frieght, import duty and GST on top of that I doubt the 50% advantage will mean much and where are you going to take it if it needs repair under warranty, Regards Frank.

If its the one I'm thinking of, they were being imported and complianced in Adelaide and on road for $34k...

About half that of the going rate now from the "distributor"

Originally Posted by Hamish71

Has anyone put any effort into what the legalities, and in fact the realities are of importing a camper trailer into Australia from overseas?...say Sth Africa, or the USA?

Not for a trailer but got that info I think you are needing from the same bulletin

http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roa...VSB10_v011.pdf

The same as what Basil135 pointed you too.

Originally Posted by Tombie2

If its the one I'm thinking of, they were being imported and complianced in Adelaide and on road for $34k...

About half that of the going rate now from the "distributor"

On the money Mike....and owning an engineering shop, Im pretty confortable with "self warranty"....and minimal compliance costs.

As for those doubting, sums go something like this:

Value 15000
5% duty 750
Freight (assumption) 5000
10% GST on purchase price/duty/freight 2075
Total 22825

...which is half that of new in Australia. The freight and insurance cost of $5k is an assumption. Compliance costs are estimated at less than $1500.00 on top of that price.

And Stuuuu...yes, perfectly understand the Australian legalities, of which there are three:

Vehicle Import Approval - essentially an undertaking to make the trailer comply with the VSB and other ADRs as and Basil have mentioned prior to registration. (referred to casually as compliancing)
Customs - hand over cash. 5% duty/10%GST
Quarantine - Make sure its clean....really clean.

It was more the South African side I dont understand yet.