Importing traps

[Jake]

Hi all...I'm considering importing a 1961 Giulietta Spider from the US. It appears to be in good condition but I haven't physically inspected the car. Would really appreciate some guidance on:
a) whether there are any reputable independent people in the US who could effectively provide the car with a clean bill of health; and b) traps or other key issues I need to take into account when importing (I've gone to both the Dept Infrastructure & Transport and VicRoads sites, but an overview would be great).

[alfagtv58]

Hi Jake, welcome. 

a) I cant help much here, others may chip in
b) Search function is your friend, this has been discussed several times on this board.  (alright, I admit, its a terrible search function on here, but you will still find lots of threads on this topic)

[Jake]

Thanks, I'll take some time to search the posts

[Craig_m67]

..... just typed a big response and then lost it, hate that.

1. Get permission from DoTARS to import and advise them of the VIN so they can put it on the Australian register.  They can't withold permission to import as the vehicle manufacture date is older than Dec 1989, I assume that is the option you're choosing to import under? That said, do no ship until you have permission!  Cost $50./
2. Ensure you or the owner, whomever is exporting the vehicle from the US has US Title to the vehicle.  You can't legally export a vehicle out of the US without title.  Not all US states require the registered owner to have title (proof of ownership) although it is simple enough to get apparently. Make sure the owner has title!
3. You will pay Customs duty, GST, bonded store charges (maybe), transport and lots of other fees, taxes and charges associated with import (AQIS cleaning etc). Don't let them rip you off, understand the basics and you can do it yoruself (I did)
4. Duty and GST is based on the Australian value of the car NOT the US invoice. Find a registered car valuer, get an agreed value, they may base it on the US invoice if you like, but remember the US invoice is NOT the Australian value.  This was my biggest pain when importing.
5. You will have to go through the process of compliance for the vehicle, even though it is old enough to not warrant any compliance - tick box here, $chaching!
6. Check you can register a LHD vehicle in your state of residence.  Just becaus you have permission to import doesn't mean you have permission to register. All States have different rules !
7. Rego will cost the same as new car - you will pay state sales tax and duty (again).

I imported our car from the UK, it's not that hard really, lots of easy paperwork. 
Make sure you undetrstand all the Customs clearance requirements and charges in Australia so you don't get ripped off by import agents.

Cheers
Craig

[Cool Jesus]

As far as inspections go, jump onto AlfaBB and/or shoot an email to the local Alfa club near the cars location. If they are anything like the members on here, I'm sure they'll be happy to inspect it for you and more.

Due to the age of the car you won't find it too difficult to import, having said that there's probably $2 or $3K in getting it shipped. Again search US car websites for vehicle import/export. They are called something specific which escapes me at the mo. I've got some info on my hard drive at home which ill throw on here. In any case jump onto Australian customs website and search vehicle importation. It's not just a matter of placing it on a boat, there's fluid removal degassing if aircon equipped, cleaning for plant material, steam clean, fumigation. Just a few things that come toons, which should all come with certification to show our customs that it was done, otherwise they will bill you when it arrives for them to do it here. There's no gst or duties involved due to its age, just an application fee of sorts. An importer will do all this for you. Evenso, it is possible to do yourself if you have the time, patience and contact I the country of origin.

Ditto what Craig has added while I was typing this 

[Jake]

Thanks for the detailed feedback guys, plenty to dive into and start researching...

[164Queue]

Just a couple of corrections, if the vehicle is older than 1989, there is no duty applicable, but there is GST at 10%.

Try to get the car completely cleaned of all dirt and debris before shipping. If AQIS find any dirt anywhere, there won't clear it. You'll then have to either clean it yourself on site at the docks (not easy) or get a specialist who will collect it, clean it and arrange another AQIS inspection. This is around $300-$400 and maybe worth if it cleaning the car thoroughly overseas is not possible.

In Victoria, no need for ADR compliance if you are only getting a club permit (historic plates), just a roadworthy.

Re pre-purchase inspection, just google this and see what comes up. There should be a range of commercial services that will do this, they should be able to send you a detailed report with pics. Don't assume they will pick up absolutely everything, only what is visible without a hoist. But they should be able to give you a pretty fair assessment of the car - just be prepared for some (hopefully small) surprises when it arrives.

Craig, not sure what you mean by customs duty and GST being based on the Australian value not the overseas invoice - I have been importing for years and the duty/GST is always based on the overseas invoice converted to Australian dollars at the prevailing rate - perhaps you mean this?

[Fast Eddie]

if 'held' due to failing an AQIS cleanliness inspection, you wont be permitted to clean it yourself at the port.  it will have to be transported in an enclosed vehicle to one of a handful of approved depots within the port that will then pressure clean it in their approved wash bay where the water and residue is captured and then also treated and disposed of.  Then AQIS will re-inspect.

cost all adds up significantly as does time.

if you get it pre-cleaned at origin, get it certified but also inspected by an independent 3rd party as most 'pre-treated' imported cars still fail.

just driving it from the wash bay or cleaning point to and then into the shipping container deems the car as 'dirty' under AQIS policy.