Key Highlights
Thinking about taking your car from New Zealand to Australia? Here’s what you need to know.
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You will need a Vehicle Import Approval before your car can go into Australia.
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The Australian Border Force asks for this import approval to clear customs.
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In the shipping process, you can pick Roll-on/Roll-off or container shipping.
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New Zealanders moving can use the Personal Import Scheme if they fit the criteria.
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Costs will include shipping fees, GST, and maybe the Luxury Car Tax.
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Cleaning your car well is key so it can pass Australia’s strict biosecurity checks.
Introduction
Are you moving from New Zealand and want to take your car with you across the Tasman? The car import steps to get your car on Australian roads can look tough. That’s because Australia has some strict rules around bringing in cars. These rules are there to help manage what vehicles come into the country. But if you have the right info and get ready early, you can get through the process without too much trouble. This guide will help you with what you need to get your car sorted for driving in Australia, from permits, and taxes, to shipping.
Understanding Vehicle Import Approval for Australia
Getting the right permissions is the first thing you must do before you think about shipping a road vehicle to Australia. You need to get a Vehicle Import Approval (VIA) from the Department of Infrastructure. This is a must-have import permit for any road vehicle you want to bring in. If you do not have this import approval, your car will not get through customs.
If you try a vehicle import without this import permit, you are breaking the rules. You could face big fines. Your car might stay stuck in expensive customs storage while you fix things and get the right paperwork. To avoid worry and extra money problems, always get your vehicle import approval before you ship it. The next parts will go over the types of approval you can get and how to apply for one.
Types of Approvals for NZ Vehicles
Australia gives the option to get different types of Vehicle Import Approval (VIA) for people in different situations. The approval process will change based on how old your vehicle is, what you want to use it for on the road, and your own circumstances. It is important to know the right vehicle type approvals for your case to make your vehicle import easier.
A well-known option is for classic cars. If your car came out before 1989 and it has not had big changes, you can usually bring it in under the pre-1989 scheme. If you have made any changes, you must tell the department of infrastructure to check if your car can still get this import approval.
You can also get special permits for race cars that are not for use on public roads. There are other import type approvals too, like temporary import approvals for tourists or for vehicles used in exhibitions or for special purpose reasons. Each approval process has its own rules, so you need to work out which one fits your car before you apply.
Personal Import Scheme and Other Pathways
For Kiwis who want to move to Australia and stay for good, the Personal Import Scheme is often the best choice. This lets you bring your own car with you. But there are some rules you have to meet. One of the main things is you need to have been living outside Australia and be the owner of your personal vehicle for at least 12 months in a row before you apply. You can use this personal import scheme to bring in only one car every five years.
For newer cars or some that are a bit different, there are other ways to bring them over. Depending on what type of car you have, you might have to use a registered automotive workshop. This group will help your car meet Australian standards. There are some other options too:
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Enthusiast Vehicle Scheme (SEVS): This is for some special types of cars that car fans really like.
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Reimportation: This is for personal vehicles that were first sold in Australia and are now being brought back.
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Race or Rally Cars: This covers cars that will only be used during motorsport events.
Each of these ways has its own set of eligibility rules and needs you to go through a separate application. Approval can take a few business days, so check all the eligibility criteria to be sure you pick the right one for your vehicle.
Preparing Your Car for Shipping from New Zealand
After your import approval is done, the next thing is to get your personal vehicle ready for the shipping process. This step does not mean you just book a place for your car on a ship. Your road vehicle needs to meet Australian biosecurity inspection rules. You might even need to make changes to the car to follow road rules here. There could be some modification costs for this.
Getting your car ready means you have to clean it well. This is important for the biosecurity inspection. You also need to make sure your car follows the Road Vehicle Standards Act. Next, we will talk about what cleaning and other steps you need to do so your personal vehicle can move easily through customs.
Cleaning and Biosecurity Requirements
Australian quarantine rules are very tough to help protect the country’s special environment. All used vehicles need to pass a biosecurity inspection when they get to Australia, unless an approved offshore provider has already done the work. You must make sure your car is very clean and there is no quarantine risk material on it before it leaves the origin country.
If the inspector finds any dirt or other problem, your car will be taken away for cleaning. You will have to pay for this. The cleaning can include steam cleaning, vacuuming, or spraying other products to make it clean. There are some problem areas to check:
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Soil and plant bits stuck around the wheels, mudguards, and under the car.
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Leaves, seeds, or dirt inside the engine bay, radiator, or car’s inside.
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Anything dirty or risky in the boot or near the spare tyre.
In addition, Australia says no to the importation of asbestos. Other countries used different rules, so this can be a problem for old used vehicles. It is a good idea to have someone check for asbestos parts before shipping your car. You can then replace any risky parts so you do not run into problems at the border.
Modifications and Compliance Checks
Besides cleaning your car, it must meet certain Australian Design Rules (ADRs) before you can drive it on public roads. The rules cover things like emissions standards and safety. Part of the process includes checks for compliance, and sometimes this means you face unexpected modification costs.
If your car was made after 1989 and it doesn’t fit into other groups, a Registered Automotive Workshop (RAWS) has to handle the conversion to the Australian standards. They also give you the import permit and do any needed work so the vehicle meets all rules. The air conditioning needs looking at too; you must have a separate CFC permit for it, or take out the gases before shipping.
There are special rules for left-hand drive vehicles. Usually, you can only register cars older than 30 years as left-hand drive in most Australian states. It’s important to sort out these compliance details for easy customs clearance and to drive your car legally on the road.
Shipping Options and Timeline
When your road vehicle is ready to go, you need to pick a way to ship it. The shipping process means you have to decide if your car will travel on its own wheels or inside a container. You also need to know what the shipping times and costs will be. The choice you make can change how much you pay and how long it takes for your car to get to Australia.
There are two main ways to send your car. You can use Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo), or you can put your car in a container. Both choices have good points and bad points for price, how safe your car is, and how your shipment is timed. We will look at these two ways for your road vehicle and show you how long the shipping process may take.
Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) versus Container Shipping
Choosing between Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) and container shipping is a key part of the shipping process. RoRo is often the more budget-friendly option, where your car is simply driven onto a specialised vessel, much like a ferry, and secured for the journey. It’s a straightforward and popular method for standard vehicles.
Container shipping involves placing your car inside a dedicated shipping container. This method offers greater protection from the elements and potential damage during transit. It’s an excellent choice for valuable, classic, or non-drivable vehicles. You can also ship personal belongings in the container with your car, which isn’t possible with RoRo. However, this option typically comes with higher costs, including potential storage costs if there are delays. A customs broker can help manage the logistics for either choice.
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Feature |
Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) |
Container Shipping |
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Cost |
Generally more affordable |
Typically more expensive |
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Security |
Exposed to the elements |
Fully enclosed and protected |
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Personal Items |
Not allowed inside the vehicle |
Can be shipped in the container |
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Best For |
Standard, drivable cars |
High-value, classic, or non-drivable cars |
Estimated Delivery Times from New Zealand to Australia
The time to ship your car from New Zealand to Australia can change depending on several things. The sea part of the trip is pretty fast, but the full delivery depends on the shipping line’s plan, how busy the port is, and the time taken for customs and quarantine checks.
Usually, the trip between ports takes about 5 to 30 days. This number shows how long the sea transit might be. It does not include time for paperwork or car inspections. It’s a good idea to add extra days into your plan because there might be delays.
If you work with a logistics company, you can get a better idea of the schedule for your car. They look at the latest sailing plans and port situations. They also help to manage costs and give you a clearer time frame. This helps when you want your car to arrive in the australian market and keeps you away from extra delays or charges.
Costs, Duties, and Taxes When Importing a Car
It is important to plan for more than just the shipping fee. When you bring a car into Australia, you will have to pay government charges like import duty, Goods and Services Tax (GST), and sometimes Luxury Car Tax (LCT). These customs duties can add a lot to the price.
There are not many ways to be free from paying these taxes, even for cars you already own. Knowing about these additional costs before you start will help make the import process easier. The next sections discuss shipping fees and show how each tax is worked out.
Shipping Fees and Logistics Expenses
The total cost to bring your car into the country is more than just paying for sea freight. There are many other logistics costs that make up the final amount that you need to pay. You should ask for a clear breakdown so you do not get any surprises later. Shipping one car from depot to depot can cost about AUD $2,500, but this is just a rough guide.
When you set your budget, remember to think about all the possible fees. Some of these may be:
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The main shipping fees for RoRo or container transport.
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Marine insurance to cover your car while it is being moved.
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The application fee for your vehicle import approval.
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Storage fees, or extra costs for cleaning, fumigation, or quarantine if these are needed.
Sometimes, quotes leave out arrival charges, and you only find out once you get the bill. Always ask for a full quote. Make sure it is clear about what is included and what is not. This will help you compare prices the right way. It will also help you see the full amount you need, based on your car’s customs value.
GST, Import Duty, and Luxury Car Tax Explained
Understanding taxes and customs duties is an important part of working out your budget. In most cases, you will need to pay these costs when you bring a car into Australia. The main time you do not have to pay is if you are bringing back an Australian-registered car.
Here’s a simple look at the key taxes:
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Goods and Services Tax (GST): This is a 10% tax on nearly all imported vehicles. The only time you do not pay it is if the vehicle is made just for people with a disability.
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Import Duty: A 5% duty is usually charged. Vehicles that are 30 years or older do not need to pay this duty. You may not have to pay if your vehicle is made in and sent straight from a country with a free trade agreement with Australia, such as Japan or the USA.
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Luxury Car Tax (LCT): A 33% tax is charged if your vehicle costs more than the LCT limit, and this is updated often.
These taxes get worked out based on what the vehicle is worth and other costs. You can use an online calculator to help you figure out what you need to pay for your imported vehicle and budget well for services tax, luxury car tax, and customs duties.
Conclusion
Bringing a car from New Zealand to Australia can look hard at first. But, with the right info and by getting ready, the process goes well. You need to understand things like getting import approval for your vehicle. There are choices on how to move your car, and what it will cost. Each step matters for making sure your car fits with Australian standards.
Be sure to check what paperwork is needed, and have your car cleaned. This will stop any biosecurity issues coming up. You can pick Roll-on/Roll-off shipping, or use a container. The main thing is to plan and know what can happen. If you like more help or still have questions, you can reach out and get support that’s made for you.
Keywords used: import approval, vehicle import approval, vehicle import, new zealand, australian standards
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it possible to import a used car to Australia from New Zealand?
Yes, you can bring a used road vehicle to New Zealand from another country. You must get a vehicle import approval, which is called a Vehicle Import Approval (VIA), before you ship it. This import permit is needed so the car can go through customs clearance. The rules and what type of import approval you need will depend on the car’s age and your own details.
How long does it take and what documents are required?
The process needs you to get an import permit. This step can take a few business days. Shipping times are different. It can be from 5 to 30 days, then you have to wait for customs. You must have some key documents. These include proof of ownership, your passport, and the completed VIA application. A customs broker can help with the paperwork. This makes the approval process easier and faster.
Are there any restrictions on the types of vehicles I can import?
Yes, Australia does have rules. The eligibility criteria depend on the import scheme you choose. There are ways for a classic car, special purpose vehicles, and personal imports. Not every car can get in. Newer vehicles must meet strict standards. Older vehicles may be able to qualify more easily through different vehicle type approvals.