Shipping A Boat USA To Australia

There are various reasons why one would choose to purchase a vessel in the States and ship it to Straya. First of all, the U.S. market has a greater range of boats as compared to local dealers in Straya. Secondly, crafts are cheaper in the U.S. than in Australia. The latter is made possible by the fact that there is no import duty for American yachts because of the USA-Australia Free Trade Agreement (USFTA). This said, every country has its customs and regulations for imports so when shipping a boat USA to Australia, there are some crucial steps you need to follow. This article highlights the necessary process needed when hauling a vessel between locations (not only from Florida) without any problems.

Get A Survey Report Before You Purchase The Boat

Once you identify a vessel in the States that interests you, get a pre-purchase report or a survey from a marine surveyor. Essentially, the job of a marine surveyor is to confirm that the vessel is in a worthy condition; that it’s fit for the intended purpose, and that it’s safe for export. Marine surveyors survey everything from small crafts to yachts, to commercial moves. Part of a marine surveyor’s job is to ensure that the vessel meets international regulations and government classifications. You should never purchase a yacht that hasn’t gone through a pre-purchase inspection and here is why:

• As you probably well know, there are plenty of cons online, so you need to take caution and guard against scams. The process of the cruise survey confirms that the boat is genuine.
• Some sellers use old photos that were taken when the cruise was in good condition. Having a pre-purchase inspection done will save you from purchasing an old or damaged boat.
• In case the yacht got damaged while in transit, a pre-purchase report will confirm its initial condition and as a result, speed up the process of having your claim approved and processed.
• Inspections help you know the real condition of the vessel. If you’re buying a used craft that needs repairs, having the boat repaired in the USA before importing is often cheaper than importing it and then repairing it locally. Furthermore, knowing the extent of damages will allow you to negotiate prices.

Taxes, Import Duties, And Permits

There is no import duty on American-made vessels shipped from the U.S. to Straya. However, there are some variables here: If you buy a boat in the U.S. that was manufactured in another country, you will need to pay a 5% FOB cost. And if the craft is American-made but imported from another country other than the U.S., you will also incur an import duty of 5%. Then, import GST of 10% applies to all cruises on the CIF value, which refers to the cost of insurance, the cost of the yacht, and any inland transit or repairs to the keel. If the craft is a 2nd hand one, it will be inspected by Quarantine at a minimum charge of $139. And if it needs cleaning, they will add an extra fee.

All crafts with air conditioning units need an import permit from the government. When delivering a yacht USA to Australia, it’s advisable to de-gas and decommission the vessel before exporting it. To avoid pre-charged equipment licenses on arrival, you will need to get a certificate from the service provider that degassed your cruise before exporting. Alternatively, to avoid paying for this permit, get your dealer or whoever was involved in the air conditioning inspection to state in their report that ‘No air-conditioning or refrigeration was found on this vessel’. Finally, regardless of whether you intend to use the trailer in Straya or not, keel trailers also require a permit from the Department of Infrastructure.

Some Tips Before You Move A Vessel

• To avoid additional charges when the cruise arrives in the area, make sure the keel gets a thorough inspection before it leaves the U.S. You could also ask your mover to confirm the boat's condition before loading it. Ensure that you’re dealing with a transporter who is familiar with shipping keels to Straya. Otherwise, they won’t know what to be on the lookout for.
• If the cruise is very dirty, it most likely won’t be allowed onto the move. To avoid delays and inconveniences, make sure the seller cleans it beforehand.
• And finally, when shifting a boat USA to Australia, just know that the customs are very strict when inspecting used cruises, so when preparing yours, don’t leave any stone unturned.

If you have any questions regarding importing your craft between locations, we are here to help. Please contact us.