Import 4 WD Vehicle to OZ from NZ for own use

Use a shipping company and have it shipped across. They should be able to organise the customs requirements as well for you.
Just don't use the shipping company that is having a little trouble in the English Channel. LOL

Cheers Kev

These people should be able to provide you with all the information you will require.. Australian Customs - Information on Importing/Exporting

Mike ,

It is going to cost heaps . I used to ship goods to and from NZ and the saying used to be that it was the most expensive piece of water to ship across in the world .

In the end it was cheaper to airfreight than ship by sea . Cars are a bit big for that though !

One thing is for sure , you should get quotes from at least four companies - prices will vary hugely - the large companies will be so expensive you will die when you see their quotes .

Maybe it would be better to sell and buy again .

Willie .

I can only echo what Willie has said above. There is not a lot of trade direct from New Zealand to Australia, so hence the freight costs can be quite prohibitive.

Can you let me know what ports you are shipping from and to? It may be cheaper from another port. Hell, it may be cheaper to send it via another country, although that would take a long time. When you are talking to the shipping country, see if they have an option to send it via Japan or China - the rates are excellent to those countries, and not too bad back from them. Let them know time is not a problem - there may be a creative solution they can help with.

This is all based on shipping containers though - it is probably different for a vehicle.

Because it is only a one off, you will be stung pretty good...

Cheers,

Chris

I seem to recall a forumite shipping their truck to NZ last year for a longish trip. Maybe someone else can remember who it was.

About $2,000 each way 12 months ago.
Contact me at nzrees@yahoo.com if you want more details.

Hi Mike

Am going through the same process at the moment. I am shipping my truck over on one of the Owens/Mainfreight role on role off ships, cost $2500 Wellington to Melbourne, would be cheaper Auckland Melbourne.

If you are going for less than 12 months you can get a Carnet de passage (Temp export permit) this costs $475 from the AA and you have to put up a bond to cover all import taxes, approx 50% of the value of the truck, you do get interest on the bond. The other option is to import the truck to OZ, this gets expencive as the import taxes are pretty steap, in my case approx 50% of the truck.

Hope this helps. Drop me a line or give me a call if you want.

Cheers

Mike
+64 21 220 6776
mike.upshon@gmail.com

Thank you everyone for the suggestions. I am following up on several at present so will be in contact with some of you shortly. Mike

The best site for the rules regarding Importation of a vehicle into Aus is www.dotars.gov.au. I think you will find a Carnet will let you use the vehicle in Aus longer than 12 months up to the time of your Visa expiry. I know for a fact tourists from Europe can get an extension on their Carnet's if they get an extension on their Visa on the proviso the vehicle registration remains current in the country it was Imported from. You pay no rego fee in Aus just third party insurance cover and it is as cheap "as". You keep ypur own NZ plates on the car but get a w/screen sticker from the State Licensing Authority of the State you Import it in to and basically they just want to keep tabs on the vehicle so you don't sell it here before you leave. The other way would be to bring it in as a Personal Import but I am not sure what residency status is required in Aus to comply with bringing it in under that regulation.