Importing a GTV from the UK to Australia

[generalsasso]

Hi guys,

I'm hoping some of you may have experience with something similar and can share any tips you may have.

I'm looking to import my 2002 3.0 V6 GTV from the UK in to Queensland.

I've owned the car for 18 months and cannot sell it back in the UK for an even half-way reasonable amount, so I've decided to hang on to it and bring it over.

I'm expecting around $3,000 in transportation and import costs, but wanted to know what, if any, modifications had to be made to allow it to be registered in Queensland.

Thanks for your help in advance,

Brian.

[alfagtv58]

While not addressing the QLD registration, which I will leave to the banana benders.  There is some info on these threads about importing.

http://www.alfaclubvic.org.au/forum/index.php?topic=3066.0
http://www.alfaclubvic.org.au/forum/index.php?topic=6534.5
http://www.alfaclubvic.org.au/forum/index.php?topic=5061.0
http://www.alfaclubvic.org.au/forum/index.php?topic=2988.0

[hammer]

Brian,

If you are looking for a reliable, reasonably priced freight forwarding agent to take care of the transfer a good friend of mine has a small company based in Brisbane and has 30 years experience in this field.

His details are below.

If you'd like to look into joining the Qld chapter of the Alfa Romeo Owners Club of Australia I'd be only too happy to discuss any questions you may have. My contact details are on the AROCA Qld committee listings.

Cheers,

Brent Hampstead

Adam Kemp
Sunstate Customs & Cargo
216 Lavarack Avenue    
Eagle Farm Qld 4009
Ph:   61 7 3260 1212

Fax: 61 7 3260 1313
adam@sunstatecustoms.com.au

[mario-jnr]

i will second that recomendation,ive known adam kemp and his wife jenny for quite a while and always known him to be a straight shooter and a pro at what he does,he will put you on the right road without the bull/s##t 

[Craig_m67]

I brought my '03 156 SW across in 2009.  I can get PM you the details if you like.

It is easy. There are steps that you must address in sequence however they're reasonably straight forward.  It is essential that you get Aust. DOTAR approval ($50./) to import, they add the VIN to the aussie register.. If you dont it, it wont get in. Essentially, you need to have owned and operated the car as yours for 12 months or more (tick). Only modification we had to make was for Aust child safety seats brackets, they're specific to Aust. and will not be present on your version.

So.. Aust. DOTARS, Shipping, Customs, Quarantine, ADR compliance (state based), state rego and personal insurance.  It cost me A$6053./ all up. Drove it to the shippers on the way to Heathrow the day we left to registered our driveway Brisbane.

Don't forget to carefully value what the car is worth here too, to ensure this makes financial sense. These cars must be bottom of the depreciation curve at the moment here swell I'd have thought.

I'd get wishbones, cam belts and any and other preventative maintenance done in the UK before you ship... Australia will rip you a new one to do this.

[generalsasso]

Hi Craig,

If you could PM me some more details that would be awesome.

I'll get the DOTARS sorted and go from there.

Also I keep reading about cars failing if they have any rust on them? There is none on the bodywork, but there is bound to be some underneath on an 10 year old car. Anyone know the restrictions on this?

Don't want to risk shipping it over and it being turned down for resgistration 

Once I get the DOTARS process sorted I'll contact Adam about shipping my beloved over.

Thanks for your help and advice guys.

[Kiwiboy105]

Hi Brian

For more information on importing cars into Australia check the customs website out:

http://www.customs.gov.au/site/page4371.asp

Cars over 30 years old are exempt from import duty.  I know a few people, including family who have imported cars from both the US and the UK successfully.

Cheers

[generalsasso]

Awesome.

Thanks once again for your help guys.

I'll start the ball rolling and see what happens...

[Beatle]

Sadly I don't believe the FWD GTVs are at the bottom of the value curve just yet.  Still plenty around.   Also, when valuing your car in the Aussie marketplace remember it's worth less straight off the bat because it's an 'import'.  So if equivalent cars are selling for say $20K, yours may be worth 10% less.