Few insider tips about the importation process for cars and motorcycles from New Zealand to Australia and USA to New Zealand

 While New Zealand has imported a record number of vehicles in the past year, Australia does not really encourage importing vehicles. Australian laws and legislations regarding the importation of cars and motorcycles into the country are guided by strict policies which discourage the import of cars and bikes. The exception made to the aforesaid policies is under Australia’s Personal Import Scheme and Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicle Scheme.

The process of determining the cost of shipping Car NZ to Australia is a relatively more complicated process. It is important that you get a detailed breakup of all the charges that are included charges and the charges that are excluded are also mentioned. Try to obtain a very detailed quotation document rather than just a mention of the total amount. You can effectively compare quotes from different service providers only if the quotations are sufficiently detailed.

Car shipping and Motorbike shipping

Your cost of motorbike shipping or car shipping to Australia from New Zealand will include Marine Insurance, duties, GST, Government charges, taxes, cleaning costs, fumigation service charges, inspection and re-inspection charges, etc. The car or motorcycle also has to comply with ADR or Australia Design Rules standards.

The third Edition of the ADRs standards are directly administered by the Australian Government under the Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989. All road vehicles in Australia, indigenously manufactured, imported as new or second hand, have to compulsorily comply with the corresponding ADR standards at the time of manufacture and supply to Australia. However, it is not as bad as it sounds as there are similarities between vehicle standards in Australia and New Zealand.

In order to import a car, motorhome or motorcycle into Australia, you have to either be an Australian resident or you have plans of being one. You also need an import permit. Most vehicles imported into Australia are done so under the Personal Effects Option. This option allows migrants settling in Australia or expatriate Australian citizens returning permanently to Australia after a long period overseas, to bring their personal vehicle with them as long as it has been owned for the qualifying 12-month period.

It’s vital that before you consider importing a motorcycle to Australia, you check if you meet any of the import permit options. The allowable motorbike import ranges from personal imports owned and used for over 12 months and classic bikes which are over 25 years old. It is compulsory for you to apply for an import permit before the motorbike leaves the country.

If the imported motorcycle is being brought back to Australia, then you need to provide sufficient documentary evidence of this fact. The previous Australian Registration can get you a GST exemption. Duties are calculated on the Customs Value only whereas GST is calculated on the total of the Customs Value, Duties as applicable and cost of shipment to Australia.  

Although the new trend in the purchase of cars by New Zealanders show a remarkable tilt towards Electric vehicles, it is an established fact that a very big section of New Zealanders love classic cars. Importing a Car Shipping USA to NZ is the best option. The important part of the importation process is that you should get quotes from a number of service providers. You also need to be aware of the fact that most US manufactured cars are left hand drive while New Zealand transport agency allows mostly right-hand drive cars.