Shipping a Australian vehicle back into the country?

Hi,

I am trying to help someone get an Australian built vehicle, rolling but in pieces, back into the country from an island in the Pacific and I really don't have much of an idea of what the process is and if we need involve other companies or whatever. Does any one have experience, suggestions or recommendations?

It might possibly be able to get on a boat to get it off the island that will bring it to Melbourne in July/August but other than that we really don't know know much more.

Terry

Terry

You will need a shipping agent. It is all too hard to try to do it yourself.

Have a long hard look at it as shipping is about 1/3 the cost, all the rest is port charges (Australia is the dearest in the world), customs, quarantine, transport, storage, paper processing, agent fees. It just goes on and on. Then some dickhead decides it has some dirt on it so compulsory steam clean $600. Then we have the new asbestos laws which could result in head gasket, brake linings and clutch being removed depending on vehicle age.

I have imported maybe 15 vehicles, getting more expensive every time. No more for me.

EVERY vehicle being imported to Australia must have an import permit. Go on the Government web site to see if your vehicle qualifies. Any recent vehicles are prohibited unless being brought in by certified importers who can plate them for Australian registration. Australian built has time limits for overseas residence before being considered foreign.

There are a lot of companies advertise in Just Cars who specialise in vehicles you should talk to them. The average person is not in the hunt, so complex is the process. Shipping agents are a no stress operation but you will pay and pay and pay!

Many will con you with a cheap price then in the fine print is "not including port charges". Get a quote door to door and be sitting down.

Lang

<1> buy a 20 foot preluvd container tha@ iz suitable for shipping still on th@ island
stuff the container with your goodies (make sure no timber or vegitable material is used or it will be quarantined)
OR
<2> try Swires they do the pacific islands
www.swireshipping.com/

WotSezU?

cya

Make sure it's clean with no dirt or vegetable material. otherwise, you'll be paying some $ to have it cleaned here.

This fellow shipped back his Canter from Malaysia after driving it around the world.

www.epicycles.com/Truck%20Blog/2014-04-02/2014-04-02.php
www.epicycles.com/Truck%20Blog/2014-05-17/2014-05-17.php

Jon

In recent times I have had two vehicles from USA with certified-agent cleaning certificates for Australian Quarantine. Which, with no evidence other than "Although I can't see any dirt it is an old vehicle and I think it should have an extra clean" $250 in USA for a "dirty" vehicle and Australian certificate and another $600 in Australia for a clean vehicle - both were pinged! The bastards blast everything - all the electrics, into the air cleaner, wet seats and even water in the sump

The customs people are professionals and only interested in paperwork (or smuggling) and I have never had any problem with them.

On the other hand I think they pull people out of the dole queue, give them a 10 day course and a Quarantine uniform and they are obstructive, tiny minded and indeed stupid people. They are the ones where the problem lays.

Lang

Think it may have become worse with quarantine, if they don't like how clean it is they can send it back out of the country instead of cleaning.

I know people that have bought quite a bit of gear over from the States
They fly over themselves and spend a lot of time cleaning, disassembling and getting things ready for shipping to try and prevent the cleaning hassel and cost when it lands here

I have had gear chucked in their containers and just pay what they ask

It got a lot more difficult in recent years and they stopped bringing gear out

Paul

Asbestos can also apply to all the plastic lining ,sound deadening paint ,wiring ,insulation ,as well as all gaskets ,everywhere ,not just head gasket,if the vehicle is subjected to 100%check ......which is why no one does it .......But ,I see a few getting in motorbikes without stripping them ,so ,as a wise man once said .....whadda eye noe?