Hi
I just thought I would give you an update on the import. after the car completed a grand tour of the pacific it finally arrived in Brisbane in the middle of Feb. Unfortunately customs decided to pull the container carrying my car and 2 others for asbestos testing. I had the rear brakes removed as recommended. so I was hopeful that it wouldn't be a problem. In hindsight I should of got ISA cert
for the record in case anyone else is thinking of importing. I thought I would list the process and the costs, please feel free to ask any questions.
Customs tested the front and rear brakes and found traces of asbestos, I am guessing the trace was on the front as there were no back brakes. It seems like the amount found effects what customs do next. I was charged to remove and dispose of the brakes and for the testing, total cost $1350 but they did not issue a fine but I did get a warning letter.
In hindsight I should of got the ISA cert instead of the rear brake removal, but I probably ended up about even by the time you take into account the cost of the cert and removal of the asbestos. If I decide to import again, I will go down that path
The whole process took about a week and because of that I was charged $175 in storage charges by the import agents. I know next to nothing about testing for asbestos, so how common it is to find traces of asbestos I don't know.
Anyway on the bright side i have the car and my initial inspection is minimum rust and the body and paint are in amazing condition. still unpacking but the glass and seals dash, exterior lights, badges etc are all there. will require a new headliner and carpets plus I'm sure a few other bits. The engine I will check through next weekend.
so costs
I paid 11k AUS for the car, cost of shipping, GST, Customs came in at around 6K . So all up 17K. could I have got a car in this condition here, maybe? but I spent a good 12 months looking and had no luck.
I've said good-bye to the wife and kids and promised to pop out of the shed at xmas to see how they are doing.