Importing a manual Mondeo from the UK: Can it be done?

[4.0i OHC]

Australia has always had unreasonably harsh restrictions on private imports. I believe that if a car is also sold here, it is almost impossible to import a car privately from another country. The personal import scheme allows migrants some leeway, but I am Australian born and bred! The lack of warranty isn't even a big deal for me, as getting a warranty claim from Ford is like drawing blood out of a stone.

My ideal car is a manual Ford Mondeo 2.2 TDCi (I am willing to compromise on the engine, but not the transmission). This is a vehicle which is not sold here in Australia, and Ford Australia, disappointingly, have no plans to do so. Does this mean that there is any sort of hope that such a vehicle can be privately imported?

I am perfectly happy to go for a 2.0 TDCi if the 2.2 does not meet ADRs (everything should be fine regarding ADRs, as the car is sold here with a less fuel efficient automatic transmission, despite Government warnings). I believe that there are restrictions regarding car air conditioners which use chlorofluorocarbons as refrigerants, but this is not applicable to the Mondeo.

What options do I have? The Australian Government website is all but indecipherable. Could someone with a better understanding of these matters please inform me if I have an option or should I just wait in vain hope that Ford decide to come to their senses and import a manual Mondeo?

Maybe I might go smaller and find a slightly used LV Focus. However, I don't yet want to give up on importing the car that I truly desire.

[tranquilized]

I'm pretty sure the only way it can be done is if you can prove ownership and constant personal use for the last 12 or 18 months.

So basically, you'd need to move to the UK, buy one, live there and drive it for at least a year, then you can bring it over no problem.

Easy right?

[Brazen]

How about buying an auto and swapping a manual in?? Does it use the same manual trans as other cars sold here? It would be a big job I imagine.

[WILDB]

XR5 Mondeo only come in manual.

[BAXR8_Ute]

Have a look here

http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roa...ral/index.aspx

As long as you can tick all the boxes and are prepared to pay the fees, it doesn't look too difficult

[Jim Goose]

Not to mention that actual cost of shipping and charges before it even reaches here...

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by Jim Goose

Not to mention that actual cost of shipping and charges before it even reaches here...

Is that including Import duty and GST ?

To the OP, have a read here..... http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page4371.asp
It's enough to put off all but the really really desperate types

(You even have to drain the AirCon gas!)

[buggo]

I think the easiest and cheapest way to have a manual deisel would be to ship over a manual conversion and have a mechanic swap them over with an auto one you'd buy locally. Would still be a huge effort though, no where near as easy or cheap going to a wreckers down the highway and coming home with a box for a falcon.

Good luck with it though mate, I hope you get what you want.

[Jim Goose]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

Is that including Import duty and GST ?

To the OP, have a read here..... http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page4371.asp
It's enough to put off all but the really really desperate types

(You even have to drain the AirCon gas!)

Not just that... but there are handling fees etc...

I recently priced (4 quotes) shipping from the USA to Brisbane. Average of $5600 AU plus GST. Plus then factor in that you still need to pay to transport the car to the departure port (very limited departure ports) and then transport the car once it arrives in Australia (if you dont live near a capitol city). Quoted $1200 to truck the car across the states, plus another $800 to get it delivered to depot here, then get tilt tray or permit to drive it!

And the car was only $4500US!.....

[XR Martin]

You wont be allowed to because Ford already sells that car here. Doesnt matter that a particular spec isnt sold here, Ford Australia has exclusive rights to it.

Only way is to privately import it, ie you have to own it for 12 months before bringing it here.

[csv8]

or have relatives in the UK, who can look after it for a year....

[banarcus]

Buy a diesel Aussie spec Mondeo and import the good motor and tranny like we had to do to with the old Cortinas and Escorts.

[morak001]

I brought my 3 series bmw over as a private import about 3years ago, cost me about 250GBP transport via traytop to Southhampton from Edinburgh(ish), about 1200GBP drive on-drive off shipping, then you pay GST on car value AND import duty AND shipping cost, plus customs clearance fees, plus quarantine steam cleaning (was about $300), plus import license application fee.
I saved a lot by getting a heap of quotes but still cost a ****** load.

[Cheech]

Originally Posted by XR6 Martin

You wont be allowed to because Ford already sells that car here. Doesnt matter that a particular spec isnt sold here, Ford Australia has exclusive rights to it.

Only way is to privately import it, ie you have to own it for 12 months before bringing it here.

You must own it and use it for 12 months.

Remember Customs know when you are out of the country.

[Cheech]

These are the current ways to get permission to bring in a motor vehicle:

1. owned and used oversea for at least 12 months
2. ATA carnet - temporary import for 12 months. Must be exported.
3. Through a registered Australian workshop (RAWS scheme). Licenced workshops are authorised to bring in certain models (eg EVO VIII) and comply them to Australian standards.
4. Specialty/race vehicles - generally must be a holder of a cams licence and the vehicle be non-road registerable and not available in OZ.
5. Letter of compliance - manufacturer or manufacturers local rep provides statement that vehicle complies to Australian standards. THis is highly unlikely to occur.
6. Pre 1989 vehicles exempt and may be imported.

A/C must be drained by an engineer and certificate issued that states this. Although not required for some of the newer gases. IIRC r700 ?

I deal with this stuff every week as a customs broker.

Worst stuff up I've had was someone who bought a beemer 5 series in HK for about half the price of one here, however, they couldn't get a letter of compliance from the manufacturer as it either didn't comply or the manufacturer didn't want to undercut the OZ operation. So they were stuck with a car in HK and had to sell at a loss.

[topgear]

In Melbourne there are lot of places who do conversions. You need to buy a manual gearbox, trim incl. cables, lever etc,. and either get ECU flashed to suit manual gear box or buy an ECU that suits manual gear box. You might have to get the keys changed or reprogrammed to suit new ECU.

Being a late model car there might be some compatibility issues like instrument cluster or speed sensors... it all depends on technical complexity of the car. Some cars you just have to swap gearbox and ECU, that will do the job.

Instead of importing the whole car, just import the gearbox, trim, ECU and get the conversion done locally. This is simple straight forward and no big complications with customs. There are ecu flash tools like SCT which can save existing ECU code and flash with the one you want. This way you don't need to replace existing ECU.

[malazn mafia]

Are there any duties to be paid on car parts? Could one theoretically pick up a high km local bmw 3 / Merc C repmobile, remove all the goodies from a car in the UK, import them in and voila?

[ayman]

5. Letter of compliance - manufacturer or manufacturers local rep provides statement that vehicle complies to Australian standards. THis is highly unlikely to occur.
.[/QUOTE]
So, if a letter from the Manufacturer saysing this particular vehicle is compliant with ADR/Australian Models,there won't be need for the 12 months minimum ownership??

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

(You even have to drain the AirCon gas!)

Is that true with cars made overseas?

Example, our Mercedes Sprinters go from the factory in Germany, I assume with aircon gas? Then it gets de-gassed, comes over, lands at the docks, goes to the Mercedes Yard, gets gassed up again?

Another issue is that we don't get the 2.2L diesel engine here in Australia, only the 2L one. The gearbox would probably be easy to source, you could get it from a TDCI Focus.

I don't know why they don't offer a manual Mondeo or Focus in diesel, would having it as an option hurt anyone? Make it a build to order thing.

[Jim Goose]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

Is that true with cars made overseas?

Example, our Mercedes Sprinters go from the factory in Germany, I assume with aircon gas? Then it gets de-gassed, comes over, lands at the docks, goes to the Mercedes Yard, gets gassed up again?

Another issue is that we don't get the 2.2L diesel engine here in Australia, only the 2L one. The gearbox would probably be easy to source, you could get it from a TDCI Focus.

I don't know why they don't offer a manual Mondeo or Focus in diesel, would having it as an option hurt anyone? Make it a build to order thing.

The following are banned:

on 1 July 2010 Australia has banned the import of most airconditioning equipment pre-charged with hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) refrigerant. If the equipment's airconditioning is gassed with a HCFC refrigerant such as R22, R123, R401A, R411B, and others, it will not be allowed entry unless the equipment is exempt under the condition outlined in the importer's existing pre-charged equipment licence.

http://www.infrastructure.gov.au/roa...ral/index.aspx

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

Is that true with cars made overseas?

Example, our Mercedes Sprinters go from the factory in Germany, I assume with aircon gas? Then it gets de-gassed, comes over, lands at the docks, goes to the Mercedes Yard, gets gassed up again?

Another issue is that we don't get the 2.2L engine here in Australia, the gearbox would probably be easy to source, you could get it from a TDCI Focus.

You didn't read the info on the link, did you

http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page4371.asp
Paragraph titled ....Vehicles with Airconditioners or a Refrigerant System (Pre-charged Equipment)

[Franco Cozzo]

Wow, thats stupid, so this is what happens with our vehicles:

It gets made in the factory in Germany, has gas in it

Goes to the docks, has the gas taken out of it

Goes to the Mercedes pre-delivery yard, gets gassed up

Comes to our workshop, has the gas removed so we can modify the aircon system.

Cut out the crap and have it delivered with no gas in it, then gas it up when we've finished it.

EDIT: Jim's post doesn't include R134a, so then its fine?

[Cheech]

Originally Posted by ayman

5. Letter of compliance - manufacturer or manufacturers local rep provides statement that vehicle complies to Australian standards. THis is highly unlikely to occur.
.

So, if a letter from the Manufacturer saysing this particular vehicle is compliant with ADR/Australian Models,there won't be need for the 12 months minimum ownership??

Correct. This satisfies the criteria that will allow granting of an import permit.

[FalconXV]

I'd be getting the Mondeo Ecoboost with the 177 Ecoboost AND 6 speed manual. What a great combination that would be!

[80rs]

The engine conversion might not be that simple cos if it is an engine that isnt sold here you will probably have to get emissions tests done and they arent cheap. I looked into converting my transit van from 2.4 diesel to the 3.2 diesel but the emissions stuff is the only head ache

[ayman]

Quote I received::



For shipping a Car from Southampton (United Kingdom) to Sydney (Australia).

Shipping
Cost of Shipping by Roll On / Roll Off for Car £1210.00
Origin
Origin Handling charges £25.00
Destination
Quarantine Charges at destination (exempt GST) Au$229.00
Customs/Quarantine/DEWR Clearance Au$470.00
Steam Clean if required Au$317.00
Port/Statutory authority charges at destination Au$317.00
Delivery at destination (local area) if required Au$360.00

Notes
Please read this document carefully for any discrepancy in details.

Insurance: We provide two types of insurance coverage for your vehicle:
Total Loss: You will be covered for the full amount that you choose to insure for with $500 deductible. In the event of the boat sinking, theft of the vehicle at the ports on either end or any permanent loss to the vehicle while in transit. Note: This does not cover any minor damage.
COST: 1.5% of the value that you wish to insure the vehicle plus Au$50 Policy Fee.
Full Coverage: This covers you against the above and major dents or damage or loss to part of the vehicle while in our possession. Minor dents or scratches may not be covered. This does cost more and has a deductible of $500.00. Evidence of the vehicles condition will be required before cover will be effected.
COST: 2.5% of the value that you wish to insure the vehicle Plus Au$50 Policy Fee.
Personal Belongings: You are not permitted to put anything in the vehicle.
GST is not included above. Please add 10% GST where applicable.
Duty/GST/Luxury Car Tax on vehicles. For information please go here: http://www.cargoonline.com.au/dutytaxes.php
In order to supply you with accurate information please advise the following information:
Full details of the vehicle Make, Model, Year, Mileage, Engine size, Manual/Auto, Condition (Poor, Below Average, Average, Above Average, Pride and Joy (Perfect))
Purchase price and date.
We will reply as soon as possible with an indication of your Duty and GST liability. Most vehicles imported into Australia under the Personal Import Scheme will require a local valuation. The cost for this will be advised if considered applicable in your case.
All imported vehicles require an Import Approval from Department of Infrastructure. Without it you will not be allowed to land the vehicle. Information on how to apply is here: http://www.cargoonline.com.au/importapproval.php
All vehicle air conditioning must be degassed prior to shipping and evidence will be required. Failure to degas or failure to supply evidence will result in additional costs of approximately AUD400.00 for the issue of a Precharged Equipment Licence (PCE). Cars and 4WD’s imported on an Import Approval issued under the Personal Import Scheme are exempted from this requirement and can be shipped with the air conditioning gassed with R134a.
To Make a Booking: To place your booking online, please visit our web site and complete the booking form: http://www.cargoonline.com.au/Bookingform.php
On receipt of your booking we will issue an invoice indicating the amount payable in foreign currency and for Insurance if requested. The invoice is due on receipt in Au$ which will be calculated on the day you intend to make payment. Foreign currency is converted at the Commonwealth Bank Selling rate plus 1.5% for cost of transmission of funds and 1% to cover variation in exchange rates between the time of invoicing and receipt of funds. Amounts not paid at the agreed time will be recalculated to reflect exchange rate at the date of payment.
Vehicle must have a current registration. If registration is not current the vehicle must be safe to drive and the carrier may call for certification from a mechanic. Please check with us for details.
For compliance issues we recommend (----------)who will be pleased to discuss specific issues relating to your vehicle. Please contact them as below:
We look forward to being of service to you

[FG_Frodza]

Would be heaps cheaper just to get an XR5.