Importing a car from Europe

[berlinaman]

Has anyone any experience in importing cars from Italy. There seems to be a reasonable range of guilias in Italy and at the present exchange rate at reasonable prices.
What is a ball park figure for shipping and any other costs involved.
I like the idea of driving a LH drive car which I believe one can if the car is older than 30years.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Tony

[Fast Eddie]

Shipping probably about US$3k plus another A$1k at least for import customs, quarantine clearance, cleaning, inspection and then Customs Duty & GST on top etc.

BUT, do not commence shipping any car from o/seas before you apply for your import permit from DOTARS.  If the car is on the water before the import permit is issued or lands here without it you will have 2 choices - ship it back or have it crushed.   There is no longer any compromise on this from Customs any more.

The permit is easy to apply for and cheap.

The DOTARS permit is only the first step.  Assuming you get import approval and you land the car here, you still need to meet state licensing laws to get it registered and on the road.

The car might be cheap to buy but it isnt cheap to import and get on the road here.