Importing

People often ask questions like; "How much would I expect to save by buying direct from Japan? A newspaper article said that to bring a particular car in cost around $24,000, whereas buying something similar here would cost double that. Is this correct?"

It is a popular misconception that importers and dealers charge obscene markups on the vehicles they sell. Some years ago we saw the odd dealer selling imports at inflated prices to unwary buyers. in today economic climate, the margins of even these businesses have been cut in order to maintain turnover. You'd now be hard pressed to save $3000 on a $30000 car and certainly nothing near the figures that the newspaper above suggests.

You might be keen to import your own car for reasons other than financial. If you've found a very unique, clean or well-modified vehicle or your tastes run to something more obscure, then there are three ways to get your car in:

Private Import: Buying and driving your car for a year over seas allows you to bring it in as a 'private import'. You must own it, drive it, and be able to prove that you were in the country with it for a year, except for brief work trips back home i.e.. They may ask to see your passport. The beauty of this method is that you'll require only minimal modifications for registration (Rather than full compliance at around $3000) and that you can import any make or model, the down side is the time required.

Over 15 years old: If a vehicle was manufactured more than 15 years ago it can be registered without a compliance plate, so again you can bring in largely what you like and don't have to deal with compliance associated cost and mods. There are still some checks and minor modifications needed for registration, and you will need permission to import the car from the Department of Transport and regional Services (DOTRS)

Low volume: The vast majority of imports come in this way and are modified to comply with Australian Design Rules (Compliancing) after arrival. This system of type approvals and modification is set to change with the introduction of SEVS mid next year. But as this is currently the most popular method, lets take a look at some specific costs.

Some months ago one of the Importdriver team brought in a twin turbo Supra from New Zealand. It was bought for around $20,000 AUD with the final on road cost around $39,000. The rough break down was as follows;

FORS Permit Application - $50, Container & Shipping - $1600, Shipping Insurance (total loss only)- $220, Examination + Steam Clean - $165, Duty (15% of Purchase Price) + Sales Tax (22% of Purchase Price) + Customs agent fee - $10,400, Compliance - $3500, New Tyres (required) - $850, Odds & Ends, Rego & 3% Stamp Duty make up the rest.

Prices will differ from country to country; depend on exchange rates and how much you shop around for good shipping rates. If you go for 'roll-on roll-off' shipping instead of a container, you'll want full insurance due to the higher probability of damage or theft, this costs around 3% of the vehicles value.

The majority of Australian imports come straight out of Japan, but for the average person the Japanese end is not easy. Apart from language difficulties there are a string of bureaucratic complications starting with the licensed buyer you'll need to bid for the car at auction. Unless you've got a bit of time to learn the ins and outs, take a look to see what is on the local market or to talk to an import agent. Have a look in our classifieds and business directory if you're interested in these options.

If you do want to jump in head first, you'll find more on the rules of importing at http://www.dotars.gov.au/transreg/str_sevs.htm and a sample of Japanese auction prices at www.j-spec.com.au/auction/