Australia Car Import

UK CAR IMPORTS FOR BUYERS IN AUSTRALIA

Our company has been exporting prestige cars all over the world since 2001 and we supply the latest model prestige cars at competitive prices with quick delivery times. Our vehicles can be imported & exported to Australia by sea or air (fully insured) through our fully managed service. We don't want to chuck a load of sales pitch information to you about what we can do, but what I can tell you that our small specialist team (especially me as the owner) have a deep love of all things automotive especially modern classic vehicles. 

We can supply buyers in Australia the key models that are eligible for importation with reduced import taxes/duties so if you're looking for a specific vehicle please do complete the short web form at the bottom of this page and one of our team will contact you to discuss further. Our vehicles we export to Australia will be right-hand-drive ones (RHD) as they are supplied from the UK (where we are based).

importing a car into australia...

OK, so there are some important factors to take into account when considering a vehicle import:

The first and most important thing to address :
Right-hand drive (RHD) suits Australia perfectly. Australians drive on the left (steering wheel on the right), exactly like the UK, so the right-hand-drive cars we supply are ready to use on Australian roads straight away — there's no need for any expensive steering conversion. 

Whether a car can be imported depends on which route it qualifies for, not just simply how old it is.

There are a few different routes :

• Cars aged 25 years or older take the simplest route. A car this age which is measured from when it was actually built, not its model year (different things) can normally be imported under a "concessional" entry onto the Register of Approved Vehicles (the RAV, which is the government's official list of vehicles approved for Australian roads), without having to go through the SEVS scheme or use a specialist workshop. The one thing to watch is that a car which has been heavily modified may no longer count as an "older vehicle" and could need a different route.

Why a modification can break it : 
Take a 1972 car — clearly old enough on build date. But if someone dropped in a modern engine, re-did the chassis, or converted the brakes five years ago, that modification is only 5 years old. The department then no longer treats it as an "older vehicle," even though the shell is from 1972. The recent change resets the eligibility on that pathway.

• Cars under 25 years old usually come in through the Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicle Scheme (SEVS). For this, the exact make, model and variant has to already be listed on the SEVS register. An approved Registered Automotive Workshop (a RAW) then carries out any compliance work the car needs before it's added to the RAV. SEVS isn't the only option for a newer car — there are also routes for people relocating to Australia (personal imports), for cars being brought back after being exported (re-imports), and for models already covered by an Australian type approval.

• There is no upper age limit. A car can be any age, as long as it qualifies under one of the routes above.

• Being approved to import a car is not the same as being allowed to register it. Import approval is a national matter, but registration is handled separately by each state and territory — and each one sets its own rules, including how it treats left-hand-drive cars.

So, please take note that the import approval has to be granted before the car arrives in Australia. It's applied for online through the government's ROVER portal. If a car turns up without approval, the Australian Border Force — the ABF, Australia's customs and border-control agency, which decides what is allowed into the country — will not release it. That can mean significant storage charges while it sits at the port, and in the worst case the car having to be shipped back out or destroyed. The authorities advise that an application can take up to 60 business days to assess, so it's always best to start the process early.

There are three main taxes, and all of them are calculated on the car's "customs value" (broadly, what the car is worth on arrival):

• Customs duty is normally 5% for car imports. It drops to 0%, though, for a car that qualifies as UK-origin under the Australia–UK Free Trade Agreement (which has been in force since 31 May 2023), and it is also 0% for any car aged 30 years or more — although GST and Luxury Car Tax can still apply in both of those cases. It's worth being clear that 25 years and 30 years are two separate milestones: 25 years is about whether the car is eligible to be imported at all, while 30 years is about whether it comes in free of customs duty.

• GST (Goods and Services Tax) is 10%, charged on the customs value plus the duty and the cost of shipping and insurance to Australia.

• Luxury Car Tax (LCT) only applies to more expensive cars. Each year the government sets a price threshold, and if a car is worth more than that, LCT of 33% is charged — but only on the amount above the threshold, not on the whole value. As a guide, for the 2026–27 year the threshold is around AUD $80,800 (about AUD $91,700 for a fuel-efficient car), and it's updated annually — we confirm the current figure when we quote. One thing worth knowing: age doesn't get a car off this tax, so even a valuable classic that pays no customs duty at all can still be liable for LCT. Don't we just love these taxes ! 

On top of these costs (!), a couple of other requirements apply. Every car has to be checked and cleared for asbestos, and it must meet Australia's strict biosecurity (quarantine) rules — which means arriving thoroughly clean inside and out, and passing an inspection.

We can ship to any major Australian port, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Fremantle by insured 20ft container. 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS — IMPORTING A CAR INTO AUSTRALIA

Do we supply right-hand-drive (RHD) vehicles to buyers in Australia?

Yes. Australia drives on the left side of the road, so every car we supply is right-hand drive and ready for Australian roads — no conversion needed. We source eligible classic and prestige cars and guide you through the whole import process. Our company has been established for over 20 years with exporting vehicles all over the world. 

What kinds of cars can typically be imported — can you give some examples?

The cars we're asked for most fall into two groups.

The first, and simplest, is classic and collectible cars at least 25 years old, which come in through the older-vehicle route. Typical examples include a Ferrari 355, 360 Modena or Testarossa, an Aston Martin DB7, V8 or one of the earlier DB-series classics, an air-cooled Porsche 911 (such as a 964 or 993), a Jaguar E-Type or XJS, a classic Mercedes-Benz SL, or a Lamborghini Diablo. A car built 30 or more years ago is better still, because it also comes in free of customs duty — though GST, and Luxury Car Tax on a valuable example, can still apply.

The second group is newer specialist and performance cars under 25 years old. These can often be imported too, but usually through the SEVS route, which means the exact make, model and variant has to be on the SEVS register — so eligibility is decided car by car. 

There's also a real advantage for British-built marques: an Aston Martin, Bentley, Rolls-Royce, McLaren or Lotus can often be imported free of customs duty under the Australia–UK Free Trade Agreement, provided it meets the agreement's origin rules.

Whatever you have in mind — from a 1980s classic to a modern supercar — just tell us the exact car and we'll confirm which route it takes and what it will cost, landed, before you commit to a purchase, but we do strongly recommend doing some homework over there first as there are a number of criteria to fulfil with the authorities there. 

How is a vehicle enquiry made?

Just simply fill in the enquiry form further down this page with your specific vehicle requirement details. We would greatly appreciate as much information as possible such as Make, Model, Variant and any specific colour, age and when you are considering to make this purchase. 

One of our team will get back to you by email or WhatsApp to talk through the make, model, year and specification you want, and your timescale. Once we've checked the car is eligible to import, we send you a full quotation to your nearest major Australian port. 

What brands can be supplied?

We specialise in prestige and classic European marques — Land Rover, Range Rover, Ferrari, Porsche, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Bentley and Rolls-Royce. Cars built in the UK (many Land Rover and Range Rover models, plus Bentley, Rolls-Royce and Aston Martin) can often come in free of import duty under the Australia–UK Free Trade Agreement. Cars built elsewhere in Europe — a German-built Porsche or Mercedes-Benz, for example — are still supplied from the UK, but usually pay the standard rate of duty. We confirm the exact position for your car before you commit.

Do UK-built cars pay less import duty into Australia?

Often, yes. Under the Australia–UK Free Trade Agreement (in force since 31 May 2023), a car that counts as "UK-origin" can be imported at 0% customs duty, instead of the standard 5%. What matters is where the car was actually made and whether it meets the agreement's origin rules — not the badge, or where it's shipped from. So UK-built marques like Aston Martin, Bentley, Rolls-Royce and certain Land Rover and Range Rover models will often qualify, while a German-built Porsche or Mercedes-Benz normally won't. Separately, any car aged 30 years or more comes in free of customs duty whatever its origin. We check all of this for you before quoting.

How old does a car have to be to import into Australia?

The simplest route is for a car that's at least 25 years old, measured from its build date (not its model year). A car this age can usually be imported under a concessional entry to the Register of Approved Vehicles (RAV), without needing to be on the SEVS register. One thing to note: a heavily modified car may not count as an "older vehicle" and could need a different route. And approval to import is not the same as registration — registration rules, including those for left-hand-drive cars, are set separately by each Australian state or territory.

Can I import a newer car — what is SEVS?

Yes, depending on the car. For many specialist cars under 25 years old, the route is the Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicle Scheme (SEVS): the exact make, model and variant has to be on the SEVS register. An approved Registered Automotive Workshop (RAW) then carries out any required compliance work and gets the car onto the Register of Approved Vehicles. SEVS isn't the only option for a newer car — there are also routes for personal imports, re-imports, and cars covered by an Australian type approval. We work out the right one for your car before you buy.

Is there a maximum age limit for importing a car to Australia?

No — there's no upper age limit. A car aged 25 years or more may qualify under the older-vehicle route, but you still need an import approval and you still have to meet your state's registration rules.

Do I need import approval before the car is shipped?

Yes — and this one is important. Your import approval should be in place before the car is shipped. If a car arrives in Australia without one, it won't be released from customs by the Australian Border Force (the ABF — Australia's customs and border-control agency, which manages what enters the country), and you can face heavy storage costs, or even have to re-export or destroy the car. Approvals are applied for online through the Australian Government's ROVER portal, and can take up to 60 business days to be assessed — so it pays to start early. We build this into your timeline.

What taxes and costs are due when importing a car to Australia?

Taxes are worked out on the car's customs value. There are three main ones. Customs duty is usually 5%, but it's 0% for a qualifying UK-origin car under the free trade agreement, and 0% for any car aged 30 years or more. GST is 10%, charged on the customs value plus duty and the cost of shipping and insurance to Australia. Luxury Car Tax (LCT) may also apply to more expensive cars — those worth more than the threshold the government sets each year — and is charged at 33% on the amount above that threshold (not on the whole value). One point worth knowing: an older car is not exempt from LCT when it is first imported, so a valuable classic can still attract LCT even when its duty is nil. On top of the taxes, allow for approval and clearance fees, port charges, quarantine cleaning and inspection, any asbestos testing, compliance work, transport and state registration. Because the figures depend on the car, we give you a full, itemised landed-cost quote before you commit.

How are the vehicles shipped to Australia?

We ship by fully insured sea freight to a major Australian port, with a Bill of Lading, export paperwork and regular updates along the way. Every car has to arrive thoroughly clean, inside and out, so it doesn't carry any biosecurity (quarantine) risk. Australia is also strict on asbestos, so depending on the car's age and parts we may need to provide evidence or testing to show it's asbestos-free. We prepare the car and the paperwork to make customs and quarantine clearance as smooth as possible.

Do we handle the import approval and paperwork?

Yes. We can guide you through the ROVER import-approval application and provide the purchase, export and shipping documents you need through our local agent there. If the car comes in through the SEVS/RAW route, an approved Registered Automotive Workshop does the compliance work and gets it onto the Register of Approved Vehicles; an older (25-years-plus) car may qualify for a simpler concessional entry instead. Final registration is then done under the rules of your Australian state or territory.

Are there any useful resources that can be provided for further research ? 
Firstly, we strongly advise all prospective buyers to check the link to the Australian Government website on this process which can be seen here :
Link: https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure-transport-vehicles/vehicles/importing-road-vehicle-australia

The link above explains what the ‘Register of Approved Vehicles’ entry (RAV) process is all about. A concessional RAV entry that has been approved means that the vehicle can be officially imported into the country.

There is also a useful web link to ‘classic’ vehicles (older than 25 years) which can be imported there. This link will explain the relevant information required for applying and gaining official approval to import such a vehicle into the country. 
Link : https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/department/media/news/how-import-your-older-vehicle-25-years-or-older

Please SUBMIT AN ENQUIRY

We would love to assist you with your Australia vehicle import enquiry so please enter your contact details below along with your specific vehicle requirements and one of our helpful consultants will be in touch with you.