Need advice - setting up a vehicle import business.

[gav240z]

Hi Guys,

Just looking for some advice on this subject, I see lots of cheap cars over in Europe that tend to be quite expensive back home and I've been thinking of importing cars back home into Australia for a small profit. However I have read up on some of the basics but I have no idea when it comes to what's involved in terms of setting up a business to do it, or doing it as an individual.

 

At first I'm thinking I might import 1 car to see how it goes and what kind of profit I could make on it and take it from there. Does anyone know where I can find out more information or is there a number I could call to get advice on this topic?

 

Some of the obvious things that come to mind are:

 

- Shipping the vehicle

- Quarantine in Australia

- Getting it registered and roadworthy for sale (Australian compliance also)

- Selling it .

 

 

[pauly_adams]

hi gav,

i also looked into importing a car from the uk some time ago, since then the laws on imports have changed and are now a little bit more relaxed. now you can import over a classic or uncommon car with out getting it complied in australia from memory you still need import approval, papers and all the quarantine etc. as for getting left hand drive cars over here they no longer need to be converted if there a classic or rare. i would be looking at getting hard to find classics imported such as minis, austins, mg's and dattos when possible as there all quite desirable over here.

 

cheers pauly

[gilltech]

gav240z, don't forget to add Duty if less than a certain age (30 yrs?), plus 10% GST (tax) on the landed value of the car, which includes is it's assessed or agreed accepted value on the docks & takes into account the shipping & insurance to get it there.

There's also Luxury Car Tax applicable if the value is above approx $57.5K-ish.

An Import Approval is $50.

I paid AU$800 quarantine fee when bringing a 40 ft container over from NZ to Australia containing 2 cars & personal effects.

Allow a reasonanble sum for LO2 compliance / engineer certification/sign-off to enable registration.

All subject to the type of vehicle & era, but for preliminary calculation purposes I'd allow costs for a possible seatbelt upgrade to meet LO2 compliance - say, inertia belts in front, 3-points in back, & kiddie seat fixing points .

Be mindful of ADRs for compliance, you wouldn't want to get stuck with a vehicle that can't be registered.

Look up the Australian govt customs & state vehicle registration websites, I'm quoting 2007 figures & there may have been changes.

[xa1973]

Hi Guys,

I see lots of cheap cars over in Europe

 

 

So I assume they are all left hand drive....?