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Importing Vehicles to Australia

Recent Alerts Updates

  • Importing Vehicles to Australia Brochure (VSB10) and New Vehicle Import Application Forms
    A new version of the VSB10 information brochure will be made available from Wednesday, 20 July, to provide more up-to-date and accurate advice to our stakeholders and applicants. Changes to VSB 10 will be identified with a line marking against the new paragraphs.

    New versions of the three (3) applications forms will also be loaded on our web site on Wednesday, 20 July. The forms have been updated to refer to the correct pages in the new VSB 10 information brochure and also to improve readability.

  • The importation of motor vehicles manufactured before 1 January 1989
    The Department is releasing updated and expanded explanatory material for the pre-1989 scheme. The explanatory material is currently open for public comment.

  • The personal imports scheme
    This scheme allows migrants settling in Australia, and expatriate Australian citizens returning permanently to Australia after a long period overseas, to bring their personal vehicles with them.  The update is available here.

Service Standards

The Vehicle Imports team is committed to providing prompt, accurate and relevant responses to enquiries from its clients. You will normally be advised within 15 working days of receipt of your vehicle import application and all necessary supporting documentation whether your application has been approved or rejected. This is a target service standard and you need to be aware that in peak periods it may not be met. If your application includes a vehicle for Test and Evaluation you must allow an additional 28 days for eligibility to be reviewed.

If the information is acceptable, you will be issued with approval to import the vehicle described in the vehicle Import Approval.

The Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 (the Act) and Motor Vehicle Standards Regulations 1989 (the Regulations) make it an offence to import, sell or present new or used imported vehicles to the Australian market for the first time unless they meet the National Standards, except in circumstances where an exemption has been granted by the Administrator of Vehicle Standards (the Administrator).

Do not ship your vehicle until an import approval has been issued - it an offence to illegally import a vehicle to Australia.

This site provides you with all the information required to import a vehicle to Australia.

  • Vehicle Safety Bulletin 10 - Importing Vehicles to Australia, explains whether a vehicle is eligible to be imported and how to obtain an import approval.

  • Application for approval to import a vehicle to Australia.

  • For information on customs import duties, taxes and quarantine issues, contact the Australian Customs Services. This link also contains contact details for the Department and Motor Vehicle Registration Authorities.

  • The department publishes information 'Alerts' for applicants. Ensure you view this page before proceeding with your application.

  • It may be an offence to import new or used vehicles to the Australian market for the first time. Please ensure you are aware of the legislation.


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Last Updated: 20 December, 2011