Car Shipping From Japan To Australia

Whether you’re moving from Japan to Australia or a car collector looking to import a collectible Japanese vehicle, you may be wondering what the process involves and if it’s possible to import Japanese cars to Australia. Let’s discuss some of the basics of the process now.

Can I Legally Ship A Car From Japan To Australia?

Yes. You can legally ship cars from Japan to Australia in a few ways. Vehicles older than 25 can be imported without restrictions as long as they are not modified. An RAWS Workshop must modify vehicles older than 25 to meet foreign safety standards.

Vehicles older than 25 years can be imported because of the 25-year rule, which allows all foreign cars older than 25 years to be imported into Australia. Auto enthusiasts who buy highly desirable late-80s and early-90s Japanese vehicles often use this rule.

Newer cars can also be imported, but they will need a full conversion from RAWS (Registered Automotive Workshop) to meet safety standards. This can include a left-to-right-hand drive steering conversion and many other steps. This is quite expensive, so it’s often better to sell your current vehicle in Japan and buy a new one in Australia if it’s newer than 25 years old.

How Much Will I Pay In Taxes When I Haul a Vehicle?

Personal Import Scheme allows Japanese migrants to Australia to bring in one car every five years that they have owned for more than 12 months tax-free. In addition to the 5% GST (Goods and Services Tax) on the FOB (Free On Board) value, a 10% tax will be applied to the CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) value of all other automobiles.

Sometimes, you may also need to pay an additional luxury car tax. You will also need to pay for compliance checks and customs entry fees. You can click here to get more information about taxes, duties, and import steps from the Government.

How Should I Move a Vehicle Internationally?

Your best option is to arrange for transport via truck and ocean-going freight. Your car will be picked up in Japan, brought to a port, loaded onto a freight ship, and then sent to AUS. Then, it will be picked up in Australia and brought to its final destination.

It will usually take 20-30 days to ship a car from Japan to Australia, depending on the origin port and destination port and various other factors. You can contact a shipping company to get a quote for the shipping cost and an estimated transit time.

Contact A-1 Auto Transport

If you need to ship a car safely from Japan to Australia, A-1 Auto Transport is here for you. Our network of shipping providers provides reliable, timely, and affordable shipping vehicle services. Contact us online or give us a ring for more information.