Your dream car.
So, you want a Nissan Skyline GTR, a luxury Lexus SC400 coupe or a fun convertible Celica?

Our work begins.
 Front Once you know what you want (spec, color, condition, km's, etc.) it is a simple case of filling it out an import agreement and paying a deposit, then our work begins.

With access to around 40,000 cars each week we are sure to find the right car for you. Details and pictures of any cars that meet your requirements are given to you by email, fax or phone for your approval, until we find the one you like. We will normally send you photos and detailed inspection reports with english translations so you can make an educated decision about each car. 

You get all the knowledge of our experience and our honest advice, but the final decision is yours - you choose if you like the car, if you want the car, and how much you will pay for the car.

You got the car, what next?
 After a winning bid on a car, or purchase agreement with a dealer in Japan, you need to make payment. We can assist you in making the payment directly to Japan, so you know exactly what the car costs and can be certain that there are no hidden mark-ups.

Once you have made payment we can help arrange compliance for you with a suitable RAWS workshop and assist you in getting a Vehicle Import Approval from the DOTRS in Canberra, the approval will take up to 3 weeks to be processed.  Australian laws state that you must not ship the car until you have the import approval, so the vehicle will not normally be shipped until about 3 weeks after the winning bid - however, during this time we will arrange for the vehicle to be transported from the auction house to the shipping yard and complete all necessary customs clearance & shipping paperwork in Japan. 

What are my freight options?
Until recently we have used NOR (non operational refrigerated) containers as our main shipping method. The added security of knowing that your car is locked away in a sealed container was great, but there has been a huge increase in container costs for all Australian ports - we were paying only $1,825 including all local clearance charges, unpacking, etc.(slightly more than RORO) but the cost has recently increased to more than $2,600 for the same service, so you need to decide if the additional cost is worth it for the extra security. Container shipping normally takes around 18-20 days to get here from Japan depending on the destination port.

The most common method of shipping is a RORO service (roll-on/roll-off) - this means that your car is driven onto the ship in Japan and driven off again in Australia.  The potential for vehicle damage and/or theft is higher than a container shipping, so we would obviously prefer not to ship this way unless you choose to have insurance.  Shipping insurance is normally around 3.5% of the FOB cost (eg. Toyota Supra costing 900,000 yen FOB should cost 31,500 yen to insure, or around AU$450)
Normal shipping times for a RORO service is around 12-18 days depending on the port of loading and discharge. (note that non-driving or accident damaged cars may be towed or carried off the ship)

When shipping RORO we recommend KIWI Car Carriers where possible - the main reason is that all cars carried with KIWI are covered by KIPS marine insurance automatically at no extra cost .. not a lot of people know that if a ship sinks with your car onboard, you can be held liable for part of the salvage costs unless you have "general average" insurance (which is also covered by KIPS)

Once your vehicle lands here.
When the vehicle lands in Australia we can make arrangements for all of the Customs clearance and Quarantine paperwork. You will be instructed how to make payment for the ocean freight, import duty and GST - again you are able to pay directly so you know there are no hidden costs.

If you choose container shipping, you may be invited to attend as the container is opened and your vehicle is unpacked - otherwise it will normally be transported directly to the RAWS workshop for compliance.  The work necessary to meet ADR standards varies considerably for different makes & models, but all vehicles have fluids & filters replaced (oil, air & fuel) and almost certainly require new tyres to be fitted, then it must be passed by an approved engineer.  Once the compliance work is all done and you have made payment for it, you can then take the car to arrange registration (we can help with this if necessary - please ask)

Now you enjoy your new car.
Your new car should be ready to register in around 10 to 12 weeks from the time of purchase. All prices given are only estimates and do not include on-road costs, but will normally include full ADR compliance - you will need to contact your local authority for registration prices (VicRoads, RTA, etc.) Prices could vary depending on the final auction sale price and current exchange rate.


Be the envy of your friends, drive your dream.

 

Vehicle import laws.
Australia has some of the most strict import laws prohibiting the import of most vehicles. The basic law states that a vehicle may only be imported if it has never been sold locally in full volume. This applies to vehicles that are essentially the same vehicle with different badging. (eg. Ford Laser & Mazda 323)
A vehicle is considered to be a different model if it varies substantially in design to a local car, as is the case with the Nissan 300ZX which was only ever available here in a 2+2 seater version, so we can import the Jap spec 2 seater cars. Different engine type or size does not classify a car as a different model. Once a vehicle is deemed to be a different model it must pass the S.E.V.S. criteria in order to be allowed for import.   

Specialist & Enthusiast Vehicle Scheme (S.E.V.S.)
All vehicles are now judged using the new S.E.V.S.ruling system. There is no easy way to explain this quickly but basically vehicles must meet 2 out of the following 4 criteria:

  • Be significantly different in appearance to vehicles sold new in Australia
  • Have unusual design features to anything sold new locally
  • Performance greater than 105kw/ton, or unusually good economy
  • Be featured in specialist publications (eg. High performance imports, Zoom, etc.)

They have a web site that keeps an updated list of all vehicle types that have been reviewed for import and approved or declined. Go to S.E.V.S.

What about cars not listed there?
 Obviously not all cars would pass these criteria. Most of the popular ones would have been judged already, but if there is a vehicle that you think would be eligible for import that is not listed, let us know and we will lodge an application for you. 

Import approval.
 Just because the vehicle type has been approved for importing, it doesn't mean you can just buy one and ship it here. Any vehicle that comes into Australia needs to have an import permit issued by DOTARS in Canberra. Under the new laws, the import approval for SEVS cars must be lodged by the compliance workshop (RAWS), but as usual we will be here to help with this part of the process if necessary.

Personal Imports.
You can import any car as a personal import if you have owned and used it for at least 12 months overseas first. You still have to apply for an import approval for a personal import. You will need to provide registration and insurance paperwork to prove ownership history and use of the vehicle. We can provide assistance to help you every step of the way.

Importing 1988 and older cars.
 Any vehicle built in 1988 or older is allowed for import into Australia without restriction, however as with any other vehicle you will need to get an import approval from DOTARS in Canberra. These older cars do not need to go through the normal SEVS compliance process, although you will need to do some basic modifications and get an engineers report proving that the car meets the relevant ADR's for the year of manufacture - the work necessary for this will vary between different cars and from state to state .. generally speaking you should allow around $800 to $1,300 for compliance work on most popular 1988 models.