Posted by
joe bloggs
20 yrs ago
Does anyone know what the rules are for importing a car into Australia - there is a chance we may be moving there later this year and we have a car which we would probably like to take with us - value HK75-100k.
Thanks
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You can call me at 96561161. My name is Jay, I'm working in a cargo company. I can help you on this.
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cyrus
20 yrs ago
Didn't you say you teach kids full time?
http://hongkong.asiaxpat.com/forums/practical/threads/65195.asp
cyrus
http://www.promotionhosting.com
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My understanding is that unless you want to attract import tax, you have to prove ownership for a year. And the car has to be one that is available in Oz. But that may be only if you are an Oz citizen and it only applies to cars of a certain age. If you do a search on this forum, there were a couple of threads about this a while ago.
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mater
20 yrs ago
Thanks very much for the info so far but unfortunately it doesn't really cover this situation...
the car is 10 yrs old - a bit of a one off of which only about 200 odd were made which is why we want to keep it.
i am a british passport holder and bought the car in the uk 4 yrs ago. i brought it here about 9 months later when we moved here and it has been here now for 3 years. (this means i bought it in the uk but didn't own it in the uk for 365 days. i have owned it here for 3 yrs but didn't buy it here).
i would not be looking to sell it but to keep it as a sort of a classic so am not bothered what the aus car trade would make of it.
i am not sure what if any visa i might be getting in aus - i.e. long term temporary or perm res.
any more thoughts based on that info?
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That was me above by the way. didn't realise the pc had ben logged in by my wife.
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I'm working as sales in Cargo Company part-time. I had 2 jobs in hand and i dont need to teach the whole day.
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thanks almanac - looks like i'm pretty screwed on that one then. no aus passport, no aus relative, prob struggle to comply with aussie vehicle rules - it's a 10 yr old rover mini cabriolet.
will contact DOTARS but not holding out much hope.
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Wincy
20 yrs ago
Almanac, you are incorrect in one of your posts above where you refer to "accumulated time." The 12 months period of ownership and use must be CONTINUOUS, not just add up to one year, so you can't disappear for a few weeks and just add a few weeks on to the end to make a total of 1 year's use. Having said that it is understood that you will normally leave Hong Kong on business, holidays, etc, which is why a statement of travel and letter from your employer regarding business travel is also required with your application. As long as you were only absent from Hong Kong for a "reasonable" period during the year, your application will be accepted. There is no advantage in adding a few weeks on to make up for periods of absence.
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many thanks almanac. good idea getting someone else to take it in. will see what i can come up with on that
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Chy
20 yrs ago
Almanac, could you give my husband & I some advice about importing our BMW 323 CI (1999 Model) to Brisbane. I'm an Australian citizen and my husband a PR, with the car registered under his name. We've owned the car for 2 years valued at HK$215,000. Although not an expensive or fancy car, we do like it a lot and know that we wouldn't be able to buy something similar at that price or even second hand in Oz. The condition of the car is excellent, my husband spends a lot of time and effort in upkeeping & maintaining it so there's some sentimental reasons why we hope to ship it back.
We have looked into the total cost of importing the car generally and if I recall correctly, it's roughly HK$30,000 or so, am I correct? In your opinion, do you think it's worthwhile? Your expert advice and suggestions would be greatly appreciated, thanks in advance.
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bear1
20 yrs ago
Chy, There are different ways to send it back. If you send it back in its own 20' container and fully insure it, you'll probably pay around HK$30K. There are cheaper ways to send it (eg with other cars in a larger container or "ro-ro" (roll-on roll-off) but you're probably at more risk of damage. To determine whether it's "worthwhile", you have to compare what an equivalent car would cost you back in Oz (which it sounds like you've already checked out) with what you'll end up paying to get it across including insurance and the have it Australian compliant.
You can check the DOTARS site for the formula to estimate the amount of tax you'll have to pay. The conversion is done at the time you despatch the car so at the moment, with the A$ being quite high compared to the HK$, this would be in your favour. As you've owned the car for some time, there will be some depreciation in your favour as well.
I sent a car back recently to Sydney and, because I was stuck in HK, used a company to collect it from the movers, make sure it was Australian compliant, detail it and deliver it to an address in Sydney, ready for registration. That cost me A$1,500 but, for me, was worth it. I'm sure there'd be someone in Brisbane who does this as well. However, if you're going to be back to collect the car yourself then you can save this cost.
ps I used Crown to ship and they were excellent.
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Chy
20 yrs ago
bear1, thank you so much for your advice. Just another question about the timing, how long does it take for the car to dock in Brisbane? Considering that we comply with all the necessary import regulations, will it arrive within a month? So you shipped your car back with Crown right? Is that what you referred to as "ro-ro" option and if so, did it get damaged in any way? Hope you don't mind me asking so many questions, just that sometimes it's easier to comprehend from other people's first-hand experiences. thanks again.
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bear1
20 yrs ago
Chy
Make sure you get DOTARS approval before you send the car.
By the way, for the record, I have no connection with Crown or any other shipper! I can't comment on Almanac's experiences, only mine. hoever, if Almanac has imported 35 cars in the past 18 months, (s)he might be a dealer and more clued up than me.
I gave the shipping costs in my previous post and although shipping in a container was definitely more expensive than roro I wasn't prepared to take the risk. Roro refers to roll on-roll off, so cars are "rolled on and rolled off" the ship and are all parked together.
The shipping took 2 weeks. You do not have to empty the R134A refrigerant provided that you declare to the Department of Environment and Heritage that the car you are importing is for personal use only and that you would not be importing another vehicle within the Importing Period (one year).
Happy to give you any other info I can if you want to leave a contact etc.
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bear1
20 yrs ago
Almanac - what's with the attitude? Lighten up! You're a dealer, it's your business, you do it every day - good luck. I was simply posting my own recent experience of importing my car back to Oz, hopefully to give some help to Chy, which is the purpose of this thread. Nothing more nothing less. Jeez! I hope you don't rant at your customers like that.
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Chy
20 yrs ago
almanac/bear1, you have both been more than helpful, i cannot thank you guys enough for being so generous in sharing your experiences and giving me such valuable advice. i will definitely check out all the info of Dotars but meanwhile, your insight and experience has really provided a clearer picture of how it all works.
we're not leaving hk till sometime next year but wanted to plan ahead and consider all the pros and cons before deciding whether or not it's worthwhile to send the car back. almanac, really appreciate that you did the calculations for me, those figures of taxes & charges really go my head spinning. Actually, if you don't mind, i would really like to get your email address. if you'd like to send it to me directly, i'm at mojoto@gmail.com. ta
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Almanac - many many thanks. will know in the next month or so if the move to aus is definitely on and once i do i will get in touch with you - i'm more than happy to put business the way of helpful people. still got to get round the problem of not being an aussie tho. will work on that if everything else comes through.
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have emailed them almanac. thanks.
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Almanac - have doine some more research and been in touch with DOTARS. I will be able to apply for a permit it import as i will have a type 457 long-term business stay visa. Also the car, a 1995 Rover Mini, is listed on the register of "Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicles" (Rover Mini made between 1992 and 2000) so it should be eligible for a permit.
Assuming all goes to plan i will be in touch with you about arranging shipping if that is ok.
Joe Bloggs
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Hi Almanac. Thanks for all the interesting info above re RORO to Australia. I am also intending to do the same thing in the next few months, have emailed Crown re a quotation etc, but haven't got a reply. Do you have a contact there who's details you could share with me?
Thanks
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To Almanac
if you're out there please check your asiaxpat inbox - i am now in australia and have filed the necessary forms and docs to get the import permit - should come throughb this week. i am looking for suggestions on shippers, or would be able to arrange things for a suitable fee (you appear to be in the car business in some form ).
thanks for your help this far
joe
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Can anyone give me a contact name & or number for the Kawasaki Shipping line here in HK? I would like to use their RORO service to send my car to Sydney.
Many thanks!
Olympiad
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