Shipping a Car from Australia

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Roll On Roll Off and Container Shipping

Regardless of the reason, the process and the procedures involved in shipping a car from Australia remain the same. International car shipping companies transport cars and other vehicles in large, specially constructed car carriers, some of which are capable of transporting up to 8,000 cars in one load. You will have the choice of transporting your car either on a Roll on Roll off (RoRo) basis or in a large container.

With the first option, you car will be driven on board the ship and secured for transportation in a parking garage-like space on the ship. With container shipping, your car will be stored in a 20’ or 40’ container, which is then loaded on the transport carrier. Most shipping companies will allow you to store household goods and other personal items in the same container, but containers typically cost substantially more to use than RoRo shipping.

Duty Free Imports

When you ship a car from Australia, you will need to comply with several customs, safety and emissions regulations before your car is allowed into the US. If you are a US citizen or permanent resident returning to the country after a stint in Australia, you will be allowed to bring your car in duty-free if you can show that you purchased the car in the US You can also import a car from Australia duty free for personal use for a period of up to one year, regardless of whether you are a citizen or non-citizen. Cars imported in the US for races and other special purposes are also exempt from duties. If you are importing a car from Australia on a permanent basis, you will be assessed an import duty of 2.5 percent of the value of the car.

Emission Requirements for Importing a Car

All cars that are imported to the US are required to meet strict US standards for safety and emissions control. When your car arrives at its US port of destination, it will be subject to an emissions testing protocol that could sometimes last 14 hours. The cost for such testing is around $1,000. In addition, when shipping a car from Australia, your vehicle will be tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to see if it meets federal safety requirements for bumpers, restraints and headlights.

Importing Non-Conforming Vehicles

Even if your car does not meet these requirements, you will still be able allowed to import it as a non-conforming vehicle if you pay a bond equal to 150 percent of the value of the car. However, you will need to bring the car into compliance within 45 days of entry into the country, or you will forfeit the bond. Importing a car from Australia can be a somewhat complicated and time consuming process, which is why it is a good idea to have your car transported by a shipping company that specializes in importing cars to the U.S.