Importing Vehicles to Australia - General Information

An Import Approval must be obtained for a vehicle to gain customs clearance at its point of entry to Australia. Vehicles that arrive in Australia without an Import Approval generally incur significant storage costs until an Import Approval is issued.

It is strongly recommended that you do not ship your vehicle to Australia until such time as you are issued with an Import Approval. If you ship your vehicle before receiving an approval and your vehicle arrives before the application is processed, you may incur storage costs from the shipping company/freight forwarder. You may also be open to prosecution, as it is an offence to import a vehicle without an Import Approval. Importation takes place when a vehicle is landed within the port of intended discharge and not once the vehicle clears customs control. If the import application is not approved, you will have to either export the vehicle or have it destroyed at your own expense. Destruction will need to take place under Customs supervision.

Importing Vehicles to Australia Brochure (VSB10) [DOC: 1151 KB] [PDF: 407 KB]

• Application Check Sheet

  An application check sheet is available.

• Application Form

  Download and application form for approval to import a vehicle to Australia.

• Considerations Before Importing

  Information on specifications, insurance, left hand drives and more can be found here.

• Contacts

  Contact details for the Australian Customs Service and Motor Vehicle Registration Authorities.

• Vehicle Approval Schemes

  Information on Vehicle Approval Schemes and their definitions.

• Persons Eligible to Certify Documents

  Details on who can certify copies of the documentation that is to accompany all applications.

• Selling an Imported Vehicle

  It is an offence to sell an imported vehicle for use on a public road that does not meet the ADRs.

• Service Charter

  Information on the application approval process.

• Notice of Rights of Review - Appealing a Decision

  An Administrative Appeals Tribunal has been established for applicants to seek to have a decision they are unhappy with reviewed. Information on who to contact and how.

• Vehicles Equipped with an Air Conditioner

  Vehicles equipped with air conditioners may be subject to certain provisions. Follow this link for further details. 

• Legislation

  It may be an offence to import, sell or present new or used imported vehicles to Australia for the first time unless they meet National Standards. To ensure you are aware of your obligations, please read the legislation.

• Importation of converted vehicles under the pre 1989 scheme

  The Department has received applications to import converted vehicles under the pre 1989 scheme. This includes replica cars, drag racing cars and hot rods. It is important that you read this summary of the pre-1989 scheme before you consider importing a converted vehicle into Australia.