How to Ship a Car from the USA to Australia

The Australian flag

Shipping a vehicle from the USA to Australia is a difficult process that takes careful planning, research and investment. As most people know, the major difference between driving in the United States and driving in Australia is that the steering wheel is on the opposite side of the vehicle. Shipping a vehicle from the USA to Australia for personal use must comply with all local laws before being approved for entry to the country. For temporary import into Australia, a less complicated permit can be obtained that defers the payment of import duties.

Things You'll Need

• Import approval
• Shipping company
• Vehicle documents/Letter of Compliance
• Application fee

Instructions

1. Obtain a vehicle import approval. A vehicle import approval is the most important step in arranging to ship a vehicle into Australia, as no vehicle will be allowed to enter without one. The vehicle import application forms can be found on the following website: www.rvcs.infrastructure.gov.au. For vehicles that will be in Australia for less than one year, a carnet de passage (temporary import license) will be issued.

2. Contact the local Registration Authority in Australia to find out if left-side steered vehicles are allowed. Provide all information regarding the make and model of your vehicle. Note: Vehicles manufactured before January 1, 1989, generally are allowed into Australia without exception.

3. Submit a letter of compliance to the Australian government. A letter of compliance must be issued by the vehicle's manufacturer and must prove that vehicle is approved by Australian vehicle registration laws. The application requires a small fee.

4. Once import approval has been issued by Australian authorities, contact a local shipping company. Provide shipping company with the make and model of your car, all pertinent documents (title, registration, driver's license, permission to ship vehicle from lien holder). Select if you want to ship your car as RORO (vehicle is actually driven onto ship) or in a container.

5. Notify your shipping company when you would like the vehicle to arrive. Prepay for shipment of vehicle from the USA to Australia. Agree with the shipping company when and where to drop off vehicle. Usually, the drop-off point is at a container port or nearby warehouse.

6. Prepare vehicle to be shipped. Thoroughly clean and vacuum vehicle and remove any loose objects or personal items. Australian law requires vehicles to be steam-cleaned before being cleared by Customs, so ask your shipping company if they provide this service.

7. Drop off vehicle at location as agreed with shipping company. Do not leave keys inside vehicle. The shipping company will provide you with a tracking number and will notify you when vehicle has arrived to Australia. Upon arrival, your car must be cleared by customs, quarantined, and import duties must be paid.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to insure vehicle prior to shipping.

• Per Australian law, you must have owned vehicle a minimum of 12 months prior to shipping.

• Do not attempt to ship a vehicle from the USA to Australia without obtaining a vehicle import approval. Without a vehicle import approval, your car will not be allowed into Australia and may even be destroyed by Customs at your expense.

• Do not attempt to ship more than one vehicle in a 12 month period, as this is prohibited.

References

• Australian Vehicle Import Regulations