Shipping a car to Australia

[gav240z]

Hi guys,

I've had import approval for my car to come back to Australia with me at the end of August. I'm in the process now of trying to sort through different quotes and decide on which company to go with.

 

The problem is some are giving a quote that includes import fees on the Australian end and others are not, making it hard to know what is the better quote.

 

Also I am shipping my personal stuff at the same time, so I'm basically looking to put the car in the container with the personal stuff and import that way.

 

Insurance seems to be a bit hazy also because on 1 hand they are saying everything is insured for loss while it's on the boat, but once it arrives at Sydney and is on the docks insurance stops, my concern is if the car was stolen from the docks? (which I've heard this happened before, but not in Australia, it was a car waiting for export in Japan).

 

I'm just wondering if anyone has any tips or has been through this process before and what you would recommend in terms of a company and what to ask when speaking to them regarding quotes?

 

The other concern is potential damage with the car in the container getting moved around? I'm sure it will be fine, but never know.

 

Any other tips or advice are appreciated.

 

PS: What a headache...

[potter260]

My cousin shipped a car a few years ago from Japan and when it got here the stereo was missing as well as a few other things and all 4 tyres were bald.... So i would be a bit worried leaving personal stuff in the car

 

Mitch

[NZeder]

This kind of stuff has been going on for decades. In 1975 when we came back from Singapore dad shipped his Mitsubishi Galant GTO GS-R and when it got to NZ the wiper arms, aerial and fender mirrors were all missing ie stuff on the outside. New OEM replacements were ordered from a Mitsubishi Dealer with days of collection.

 

So nothing new....however I know NZ dock workers get paid well (they might not think so, but they should try other industries first before the complain about their pay) so don't understand why well paid people would do this.

[NZeder]

One more thing don't use these guys

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38jDQkkaxT8&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[Jimbo]

Ship your gear FCL (full container load) Depot to Door with insurance Depot to Door through a forwarding agent. Then when you receive your paper work hand it over to a Customs Agent here & they will clear it through Customs,Quarantine & Wharfage costs & have it delivered to your place of preference.

[Jimbo]

Ship your gear FCL (full container load) Depot to Door with insurance Depot to Door through a forwarding agent. Then when you receive your paper work hand it over to a Customs Agent here & they will clear it through Customs,Quarantine & Wharnancy boye costs & have it delivered to your place of preference.

 

 

That should read "they will clear it through Customs, Quarantine & Wharf costs  & have it delivered to your place of preference"   

[gav240z]

Thanks guys, just spoke to a removal company as oppose to a freight company. An important distinction because a freight company just quotes you on the container and no other import fees / customs etc..

 

I am waiting for a quote from these guys.

http://www.careline.ie/index.cfm/page/ireland-uk

 

Will let you guys know how I get on, but after speaking to these guys I feel a lot more confident in going with a professional service like they offer than the freight companies who were not upfront about the sorts of fee's I could incur and the issues you can face if you pack your own stuff etc..

 

One more thing don't use these guys

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38jDQkkaxT8&feature=youtube_gdata_player

 

I had to laugh, but man those owners would be livid, wouldn't they?

 

 

[Wayne G]

A few years ago I brought a BMW back from England roll on roll off.  Was quite cheap and there were no issues.  Drove to the gate at South Hampton and caught a bus back to London.

 

Make sure the car is show room clean inside and out including radiator cooling fins etc.  This can eliminate the need for an expensive clean in a quarantine area in Australia, which you probably won't be able to do yourself.

 

Cars in containers usually don't move much, especially if tied down.  The bigger issue will be making sure your other stuff doesn't move.  I packed a few dozen in Japan back in the day and my tip is pack them tight and fill them up. If there is no space left, the stuff can't move!

[gav240z]

Thanks Wayne I'm getting the car detailed tomorrow hopefully steam clean under it and full detailed engine bay etc..

 

I'm getting a quote on roll on roll off and ship personal items separate vs all together in a container. Wish me luck.