Vehicle Import to Australia
Bring your car, motorcycle, or other vehicles to Australia. We manage shipping, customs clearance, and help coordinate compliance certification.
Important Considerations
Importing a vehicle to Australia involves significant costs including shipping, duty, GST, and compliance modifications. For many people, selling your vehicle overseas and buying locally in Australia is more cost-effective.
Import Pathways
There are several ways to legally import a vehicle to Australia, each with different requirements.
- No import approval required (under certain conditions)
- Must meet Australian Design Rules (ADR)
- May require compliance modifications
- Duty and GST exemptions may apply
- Limited to eligible models on SEVS list
- Subject to annual quotas
- Full compliance modifications required
- Duty and GST apply
- Pre-1989 vehicles generally exempt from ADR
- Simplified compliance pathway
- May qualify for concessional duty
- Engineering certification may be required
The Import Process
From eligibility check to registration, here is what to expect when importing your vehicle.
Eligibility Check
Confirm your vehicle can be imported under the Personal Import Scheme, SEVS, or other pathways.
Pre-Export Preparation
Professional cleaning, quarantine wash, and preparation for shipping.
Shipping to Australia
Container or Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) shipping to your chosen Australian port.
Customs & Quarantine
Customs clearance, duty payment, and quarantine inspection in Australia.
Compliance Certification
Modifications and certification to meet Australian Design Rules at an approved workshop.
Registration
Register your vehicle with the relevant state authority and get on the road.
Estimated Costs
Vehicle import costs vary significantly based on the vehicle, origin country, and required modifications. Here are typical cost ranges.
| Cost Item | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Shipping (container) | $2,000 - $5,000 AUD |
| Customs Duty (5%) | 5% of vehicle value |
| GST (10%) | 10% of (value + duty + shipping) |
| Compliance Workshop | $2,000 - $15,000 AUD |
| Quarantine Inspection | $100 - $300 AUD |
| State Registration | Varies by state |
Total costs for importing a vehicle typically range from $10,000 - $30,000+ AUD depending on the vehicle value and required modifications.
Left-hand drive vehicles will require conversion to right-hand drive, which can cost $5,000 - $20,000+ depending on the vehicle.
We recommend getting a detailed quote and comparing against purchasing a similar vehicle in Australia before proceeding.
Get a Vehicle Import Assessment
Tell us about your vehicle and we will provide an eligibility assessment and shipping quote.