Car Shipping to Australia

Whether you’re looking for car shipping to Australia in a 20ft/40ft container or by the cheaper method of roll on/roll off you will need to obtain a ‘Vehicle Import Approval’. An application form must be completed for car shipping to Australia and usually costs approximately $50. This can take up to 6 weeks to arrive in the busy periods so it is best to apply well in advance of shipping your vehicle.

If you do ship your vehicle before you have received your ‘Approval’ and for whatever reason your application is not successful then your vehicle will be refused entry at the port of discharge. This will be very expensive as you will not only have storage charges to contend with but you will have to pay for your vehicle to be shipped back to the UK. So we ALWAYS advise not to ship your vehicle until you have a copy of the ‘Approval’.

Private individuals shipping a car to Australia should be aware that they must have owned and used the vehicle in the UK for at least 12 months prior to shipping it. Only one vehicle per person is allowed to be shipped to Australia in anyone year.

The cost of vehicles to buy in Australia are extremely expensive and can cost in the region of 3 times the cost of what it would in the UK..

There are roll on/roll off ports in Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Brisbane and Fremantle (Perth) and takes approximately 40 days in transit. Once the vehicle makes berth at the Port, the vehicle is placed in a secure compound and may be inspected by AQIS http://www.aqis.gov.au/icon/asp/ex_alertscontent.asp and or a Customs Inspector. Aqis will be checking for any foreign soil (ie. mud) on the under carriage of the vehicle so it is always advisable to have the vehicle steam cleaned underneath the carriage and the body of the vehicle to eliminate possible quarantine laws being enforced before shipment commences.

If you do have your vehicle inspected by Aqis, they may insist that the vehicle is thoroughly cleaned before they consider releasing it to you. You will have to pay their charges along with duties and taxes. For advice on duties and taxes please refer to http://www.customs.gov.au/ or alternatively speak to one of our advisors who will be able to supply details of our very reliable agent in Australia, as they can offer free advice.

Car shipping to Australia includes shipping boats, trucks and any wheeled cargo on a roll on roll off vessel, if shipping personal effects aswell you can ship your vehicle in a 20ft or 40ft container.

For further information on car shipping to Australia please contact FirstBase Freight Ltd, Tel: 0844 272 6731.