Importing Vehicles to Australia

The Vehicle Imports team is committed to providing a prompt, accurate and relevant responses to enquiries from its clients and has worked to reduce the processing time to match the 17 day service charter target.  However, from 19 July 2010 the Service Charter for the processing of Import Applications will be changed from 17 days to 15 working days to better reflect the longer processing times during shut-down periods such as Christmas, Easter and over other public holidays.

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 Imports Enquiries
Ph: 1800 815 272
Fax: (02) 6274 6013

• General Information - Importing Vehicles 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 Forms

  Application for approval to import a vehicle to Australia.

• Contacts

  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.

• Alerts

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

• Legislation

  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.