Importing a new vehicle from the UK???

[ayman]

Ok , well and truely sick of the Australian car prices compared to the US and the UK.

Some research into the matter, main bulk of penalty will be 10% Duty and 10% GST. LCT needs to be added.
Comparing, for example, a CLS 250 CDI for 46000 Pounds just seems like a brilliant idea!!!!
I need to know you thoughts, why not to do it, and if anyone done it before. Any hidden disasters, etc.
Thanks

[The Yeti]

Dutys only 5% I think you'll find

[Kryton]

If the vehicle is currently sold here by the manufacturer, you cant import it at all.

[scottyg938]

Originally Posted by davway

If the vehicle is currently sold here by the manufacturer, you cant import it at all.

This, import laws only allow cars that aren't sold in Aus already

[GTP370]

Meets the required Australian Design Rules (ADRs). Being a right hand drive car is a good start.

[Jim Goose]

Thread about it 2 weeks ago

http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthread.php?t=11361827

Sadly its not just the GST etc you need to consider.... factor in shipping costs and handling fees.... and the GST goes ON TOP of ALL you import costs.

[ayman]

Originally Posted by scottyg938

This, import laws only allow cars that aren't sold in Aus already

Fair enough, Phaeton or CLS 250 CDI? Or are you talking about a model with different engine to Australian Standards? or a new model that does not exist in Australia???
Just saw the bloody Panamera for 59000GBP, about $90000, we're getting ripped off here big time!!!

[scottyg938]

I don't think it matters if it has the same engine or any different features, basically if that model of car was sold new in aus, it can't be imported.

That's my understanding anyway, could very well be wrong.

[lockieoc]

I believe there has to have been less than a certain number sold here in Aus to allow you to bring in that vehicle. Hence why you can import Ferrari's and Lambo's. I know of a mob that jumped the gun on VW and was bringing in Sciroco's for the past year or so.

I got my Evo out of the UK, i just got an importers to do it all for me, much easier this way.

[Jim Goose]

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

All the info one needs...

[flappist]

Originally Posted by ayman

Ok , well and truely sick of the Australian car prices compared to the US and the UK.

Some research into the matter, main bulk of penalty will be 10% Duty and 10% GST. LCT needs to be added.
Comparing, for example, a CLS 250 CDI for 46000 Pounds just seems like a brilliant idea!!!!
I need to know you thoughts, why not to do it, and if anyone done it before. Any hidden disasters, etc.
Thanks

Do you really think that if this could be done that there would not be a squillion grey importers already.........

[ayman]

The important part is item 5.6 in the PDF Infrastructure approval thingy.
5.7 Item is not my issue.
Looks like if you could obtain a certificate from Australian representative of the Manufacturer, to state that this vehicle complies with ADRs, then all follows easily.
Please have a look and let me know if I missed something!.
Nothing to say if a vehicle is sold here then it can not be imported. Actually, Item 5.6 more shows if the imported vehicle is identical to the one sold here, certifying compatibility to ADRs should be easier and quicker.

Only issue is how to get an Australian Representative of the manufacturer, to give me what I want. I can say , ask the UK dealer of Mercedes Benz to say that , This E class , VIN such and such, is compliant with ADRs..

[ayman]

Originally Posted by flappist

Do you really think that if this could be done that there would not be a squillion grey importers already.........

You're probably right. But I still get the feeling most buyers, specially expensive luxury cars, have no idea about the price difference. Plus, I would buy a merc for $85000 drive away from a dealer, rather tahn another for $75000 identical import with no warranty, coming form an unknown private seller residency, etc.

However, if you can get the same car for yourself for maximum $65000, that wouldn't be too bad. Be sure there will be headaches to get it home, but hey,even if I have To buy a ticket to visit the UK and purchase and ship the car is still not a bad thought


Have a look at these prices:

http://www2.mercedes-benz.co.uk/cont...Av7Y:1514ktk9o

I would be happy with cloth seats and manual, you even can't have that here from the dealers!!

[Cheech]

Here is what i posted in the other thread:

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. This is how all the late model jap imports are coming in.

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. Why ? Think about it, they've spent all the dollars to comply a vehicle, do you think they want you going in the back door and importing a new/near new one at a greatly reduced price. If so they wouldn't have a business here.

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.

[XR Martin]

You'll never get one. It has to be approved by the Government before you do anything. It could only be imported under SEVS, but because its not a specialist and/or enthusiast vehicle, and the fact Mercedes already sell it here, it will never be approved. Also only a Registered Workshop can import a SEVS vehicle.

Regulation 24(4)(b)(ii)(A) and 24(4)(c)(ii). Model of vehicle has not been supplied in MA Category to the Australian market in Full Volume and meets 2 out of 4 criteria.

Criteria

Appearance
Unusual Design
Performance
Specialist publications.

A CLS 250CDI doesnt meet any of those, and Mercedes already sell a variation of that model here.


More info

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

[EDManual]

Id like a tvr tuscan speed 6 series 2!!

0-60 mph: 3.68 s

25000 pounds, wonder what that would cost landed?

series ones are under 15000 pounds, and in Oz sell for $65000 to 75000!

[80rs]

The problem with bringing in cars like the tvr is you need to have a workshop that can issue a compliance plate and that isnt always easy and if you do find one then your stuck paying what they want to charge. I am fairly sure each workshop is only allowed to comply a certain amount of each vehicle it has a licence for and that the licence costs around $100,000

[Spammy]

Originally Posted by lockieoc

I believe there has to have been less than a certain number sold here in Aus to allow you to bring in that vehicle. Hence why you can import Ferrari's and Lambo's. I know of a mob that jumped the gun on VW and was bringing in Sciroco's for the past year or so.

I got my Evo out of the UK, i just got an importers to do it all for me, much easier this way.

Some, but not all, models of Ferraris/Lambos and Masers were imported in such small numbers that the official importer didn't bother to gain type approval and just bought them in under the SEV scheme. That leaves it open for other people to bring them in as well.

Forget trying to bring in a mainstream model that is already imported - it ain't going to happen unless you have owned and driven the car OS for the required period. You will have to show proof - like rego, servicing recieplts etc and your passport has to show you were there as well.

And a different engine in the same body shape is not enought to get you over the hurdle. About 10 years ago the loopwhole was closed that had allowed diesel versions etc that weren't imported into Aus.

[flappist]

You are trying to do this to save money. It will not work.

Even if you actually get it here and have no warranty issues whatsoever it will have bugger all resale and you will find it difficult to get it worked on by anyone except backyard mechanics who will not have access to any of the gizmos.

The problem you have is the same that applies to another favourite subject on here. If you are a tightarse and your primary priority is to spend as little as possible and you don't care about any other consequences remember that the only people who will be interested in buying your car are also tightarses whose primary priority is to spend as little as possible and don't care about any other consequences......

It will be grey, no dealer will touch it unless they are one of the "special" dealers like motor finance wizard.

[IDT]

Originally Posted by Cheech

Here is what i posted in the other thread:

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. This is how all the late model jap imports are coming in.

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. Why ? Think about it, they've spent all the dollars to comply a vehicle, do you think they want you going in the back door and importing a new/near new one at a greatly reduced price. If so they wouldn't have a business here.

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.

I am by no means experienced in this but we looked into it through a RAWS Licencee and this pretty much nails what we were told other than now apparently you can only do it for one car every five years??? The car type doesn't make a difference as you are bringing it in as your pre owned own property not as an "import". To bring in a car that you haven't owened for a year is a nightmare and apparently nearly impossible to insure in transit.

[Riksta]

Could you imagine Gerry Harvey having a whinge that nobody was buying cars in Australia anymore because everyone's importing them from overseas and how our dealers are doing it soooo hard and maybe we should charge extra GST and whatever else he'd find to whine about it.

[ayman]

XJ jaguar for 55000GBP!

One more second, say, my mum is an american citizen.
Can she bring the darn Z06, or a Viper in? After one year?. Does she have to have a current american or australian drive license?

Forgot about LHD.

So in summary:
Either a treat from the past before 1989.
Or live with the car for 1 year and bring it in.

[Kryton]

Originally Posted by ayman

XJ jaguar for 55000GBP!

One more second, say, my mum is an american citizen.
Can she bring the darn Z06, or a Viper in? After one year?. Does she have to have a current american or australian drive license?

Yep, if she lives in the U.S with a valid U.S license and owns a Viper or ZO6 for 1 year or more, she can apply to have it imported.
Just so long as she realised that if it is less than 30 years old, she has to have it converted to RHD by a licensed Conversion specialist.
Most charge $25000+ for the service too.

[2011G6E]

Originally Posted by davway

Yep, if she lives in the U.S with a valid U.S license and owns a Viper or ZO6 for 1 year or more, she can apply to have it imported.
Just so long as she realised that if it is less than 30 years old, she has to have it converted to RHD by a licensed Conversion specialist.
Most charge $25000+ for the service too.

That's about right. A guy I work with imported a big Yank Ford (LTD I believe) that was about two years older than the 30 year cutoff date. He can legally drive it LHD, and the customs guy joked that if it was another couple of years newer, even thought it would be practically the same car, he would have to spend thousands converting it, or not be allowed to bring it in at all.

30 year old car - LHD...perfectly safe.
29 year old car (or a brand new one) -LHD...dangerous, deadly, a horror waiting to cause road carnage, and must be sliced up and converted to RHD...

Makes perfect sense...

I had heard the one about if it was already available here new, or had been available, you couldn't bring in the same thing from somewhere where it would cost you half the price.

Apparently they are unbelievably strict on checking up on that "living overseas and owning the car for one year" thing too...they demand evidence like receipts, household bills, rental contracts, employment records, pictures, whatever...very thorough.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by flappist

You are trying to do this to save money. It will not work.

Even if you actually get it here and have no warranty issues whatsoever it will have bugger all resale and you will find it difficult to get it worked on by anyone except backyard mechanics who will not have access to any of the gizmos.

Most workshops have a scanner that will do world wide cars, our one does.

Anything like servicing and minor jobs any mechanic will take on unless its a Nissan 300ZX

Its not worth it, it would probably end up costing more money, but I'd like to see it happen.

[hoboturkey]

When Ford stopped shipping the some or all of the F trucks, people started to bring them in. I think if the company doesnt list it on the sale books you can get them.
But otherwise, no chance.
Why they dont save other industries suffering from online shopping of imports I dont know. Thats just the same in my mind.

[midnightXR6]

Originally Posted by ayman

XJ jaguar for 55000GBP!

One more second, say, my mum is an american citizen.
Can she bring the darn Z06, or a Viper in? After one year?. Does she have to have a current american or australian drive license?

Forgot about LHD.

So in summary:
Either a treat from the past before 1989.
Or live with the car for 1 year and bring it in.

Uk prices are pretty cheap tbh.

Im shocked at how expensive vehicles over there are. When i eventually do move over im leaving the falcon here and bringing over something a bit more exotic to Oz.

[Cheech]

Originally Posted by davway

Yep, if she lives in the U.S with a valid U.S license and owns a Viper or ZO6 for 1 year or more, she can apply to have it imported.
Just so long as she realised that if it is less than 30 years old, she has to have it converted to RHD by a licensed Conversion specialist.
Most charge $25000+ for the service too.

This is wrong Davway. Yes, she can apply to import it but she's an American citizen, so she is not going to be granted approval unless she's also an Australian Citizen or has applied to become one or holds a visa that allows for application to become an Australian Citizen.

[xisled]

Also being an import it is hard to insure it in AUS. Only a few Insurance Co will insure an import. EG just car.

[SSVPom]

Merc E250 CDi in UK = $57,000
Merc E250 CDi on Aus = $110,000, give or take... Around the same price as an E63 AMG in the UK.