Exporting a car to Australia

[eneman]

I`m returning home real soon, too soon to do much yet, but I was wondering how difficult is it to export a car home. Are there sites I could visit to know what cars I can import, the cost of importing, the papaerwork needed and the regulations regarding same.
Alternatively are there companies in Japan that will do all the legwork for me? I looked at Japanvehicles.com but they don`t export to Oz.
The used car prices in Japan make it seem worthwhile if I get a good car. My inlaws could house a car for me if there is a serious waiting period of ownership. It would be nice to own a good car than my usual bombs. Any links or advice would be gratefully recieved.

[FG Lurker]

I'm not Aussie so you should check what I say...

I think if you want to take it into the country without paying the outrageous taxes you have to own it in Japan for 6 months first. That means you being here *with* the car. Don't think the car has to be licensed etc during that time.

As for freight etc, there are lots of companies around that will help with that. Not sure if they will all do just shipping or not, but you are bound to find some that will -- for a fee of course! Probably easier than trying to do it yourself.

[Maths Dude]

You must have owned the car in Japan and have proof of parking , repairs etc for a minimum of 12 months (for a personal import - which is FAR easier). Once you have the doc's you aplly for permission to import then you import it. Pay a bunch of fees, get a road worthy etc (Each state has different laws too).

One problem is insurance. Because the car is a 'personal' import a lot of insurance companies wont touch it or have high fees. Better check that out before you send it. The other problem is it WILL fetch a lower price, if you happen to sell it, than one that was originally delevered to Aus. So forget about making money from deals like this. The bull ran long ago and heaps of Aussies got rich before the Gov stopped the gravy train. If you are a Kiwi you can send as many cars as you want, so Kiwis still can make money.

Also, ANY car 15 years or older can be imported without restriction to Aus. But who wants a 15 year old car?

My sister recently sent a car to Peru, took 5 months to sell and just broke even, and with all the bullshit, wasn't worth it.

[Ketou]

[Big Booger]

Also, ANY car 15 years or older can be imported without restriction to Aus. But who wants a 15 year old car?

http://www.goo-net.com/cgi-bin/goojp/used/summary_w.cgi

Quite a few 1990 skylines I'd like to buy. Several under 50,000Km...

A few fairlady Z's to be found to... not to mention supras and so on..

One man's junk is another's treasure.

[Maths Dude]

Only fags drive Rice Burners.

[Ketou]

Only fags drive Rice Burners.

And you?? Monaro with fluffy dice?

[Maths Dude]

I dislike driving in a cage. I have a motorbike instead. I blow away all wimpy supra's and fag ass skylines no problems, and I onlt paid 1/3 of what those losers paid

[Big Booger]

I dislike driving in a cage. I have a motorbike instead. I blow away all wimpy supra's and fag ass skylines no problems, and I onlt paid 1/3 of what those losers paid

And then you get hit by that fag and you die, and he lives.

[FG Lurker]

Only fags drive Rice Burners.

Still living in the 80s Maths Dude? Things have changed.

Sure there are still idiots who put big mufflers on a Civic and think they're cool... But there are a lot of very fast and very capable Japanese cars too. Honda dominated F1 when they took part. Subaru and Mitsubishi have basically controlled the WRC for years.

You need to get a bit better at adapting to change.

[amdg]

I`m returning home real soon, too soon to do much yet, but I was wondering how difficult is it to export a car home. Are there sites I could visit to know what cars I can import, the cost of importing, the papaerwork needed and the regulations regarding same.
Alternatively are there companies in Japan that will do all the legwork for me? I looked at Japanvehicles.com but they don`t export to Oz.
The used car prices in Japan make it seem worthwhile if I get a good car. My inlaws could house a car for me if there is a serious waiting period of ownership. It would be nice to own a good car than my usual bombs. Any links or advice would be gratefully recieved.

There are companies around that will take care of everything at the Japanese end for around 10 man Yen including picking it up from your place and shipping to Australia. At the Australian end, there's a lot of paperwork to do and bogus 'safety' inspections, including things like replacing all the seat belts with approved products.

Previous posters are correct when they say that you have to have proof that you've owned it for more than 12 months in Japan. So you may be a little late to start the process now. Despite the red tape it's still a money earner for Australians living in Japan because second-hand Japanese cars that you can pick up for almost nothing still cost a lot in Australia. If you're looking to make a profit its a simple process to find the best car to import - simply have a look at the on-line Australian used car sites to see what cars are selling well and then see what you can pick one up for at auction in Japan.

Its not unusual that you can sell the car for 5 or 6 times what you paid for it in Japan.

[james]

has anyone used these guys?

Japan Partner

i'm currently estimating shipping costs to new westminster, bc, canada and it seems they can get my car there for about $1080 USD, if i'm reading it and doing the estimates right. (toyota prius, 11.38m^3)

would be kind of fun to take the family on a cross country tour while driving home to ottawa.

still need to see what import taxes / inspection / paperwork is needed. i know that right-hand drive vehicles are legal in ontario at least, but not sure about the other provinces.

any other canadians here have experience with this? gonna see what the google machine says.

edit: found this Importation of vehicles into Canada from countries other than the United States

the long and short of it seems to be that if you can prove and provide paperwork that your vehicle meets Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (or United States Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) without having been modified than it's eligible for import, and in the case of used vehichles that you are the original purchaser, along with certain residency requirements.

[Bucky]

i'm currently estimating shipping costs to new westminster, bc, canada and it seems they can get my car there for about $1080 USD, if i'm reading it and doing the estimates right. (toyota prius, 11.38m^3)

I found this