I get a number of PM's requesting info on car shipping. In order to avoid having to repeat myself time and time again, I have highlighted below circa door to door costs and procedures, which can be placed in the FAQ section.

1. It's best to move to Adelaide first and get yourself an Aussie address.

2. When here you need to get onto the DOTARS web site and familiarise yourself with the site and contact address's & tel no's.

3. Apply to Canberra for import approval ($50) ..yes SIR holders are allowed to import a vehicle. You will need to have owned the vehicle for at least 2 years and it will have to have an inspection on arrival to confirm that it conforms to Aussie road safety standards, therefore if your car is an old classic or has been converted into a Batmobile or something, you will probably have to make more alterations than if it is a standard Euro approved motor.

4. When you get approval, get a UK shipping company (there are many) to ship you car to Adelaide. You will have to arrange for a friend or family to deliver it to the UK port of your choice. The car is then packed in a container and put on the ship to Adelaide. (Cost me $2500)

5.Appoint an agent here in Port Adelaide who will arrange the following.

Unpacking $320
Unloading $424
Entry Charge $72
Quarantine $113
Depot Movement $176
Fuel Surcharge $16
Booking Fee $11
Quarantine Assessment $16
Quarantine Attendance $33
Customs Docs Archiving $5

Total Port Charges approx $1186

You will then have to pay the following

Customs Duty - 10% of the landed value - get a Price's guide 2nd hand valuation certificate off the net, this will provide an exact value in the UK (private sale) which will be acceptable to customs here and converted into au dollars.

In addition you will have to pay 10% GST on the agreed au car value, together with the uk converted shipping cost.

Other possible port costs

Quarantine steam cleaning of the car (although mine was clean prior to shipping)
Fumigation and quarantine re-inspection $344

6.You will then have to take your import approval docs down to Regency Park..you will be issued with a statement of requirements for an imported vehicle, which states a number of obvious requirements like wing mirror glass and seat belts etc etc. The one thing that you will have to do is have child restraint achorages fitted ($200)

I would recommend that you make an appointment for the inspection ($74.50) allowing 2 weeks for them to fit you in, or like me you will have to do a stand-by inspection which can mean you waiting at least 3 hrs to be seen.

The inspection is very intense and they failed me on a split CV boot and a worn tie rod end. ($500 to repair)

Re inspection took 2 hrs of waiting and 5 mins to be carried out ($55).

7. You then have to go around the corner and have a vehicle identification inspection ($55) (don't go on a monday as it's mobbed alive) straight forward this one, another load of Govt peeps justifying their existence.

8. You then go back to the registration office armed with all your approved documents and apply for registration. you will have to pay for your rego ($633) plus compulsory 3rd party insurance ($340)

You will be issued with reg plates (which are different sizes to UK ones and may expose your previous UK drill holes) and are free to go

Other issues to be aware of:-

Limited number of insurance companies prepared to insure imported cars.
Quarantine ripped out the lining of my boot in order to look for drugs (I had to pay to have it repaired)

Scratches over the car from what looked like a jet wash head (again probably a quarantine worker)

Costing Summary

Import Approval $55
Shipping from UK $2500 apprx
On arrival port charges $1200 apprx

Customs Duty 10% of landed value
GST 10% of value of car together with cost of shipping

Compliance inspections $74.50
Identity Inspection $55

Child anchorage bolts $200

EZY REG Rego costs $ 1000 apprx (you have to pay on an aussi car anyway)

Plus any other costs relating to repair after your inspection.


When I read back through this, I wonder if I would have bothered if I had known all what was involved...It's not for the faint hearted.


Good luck

V