Help wanted - moving to AU (Brisbane) from NZ and would like to take my ride over...

[croitoru]

Hi
Moving from NZ to AU soon, would like to take my ride over...
Was wondeirng if anyone can assist with some opinions...
1. Is it worth it?
2. Would it be street legal in Queensland/Brisbane
3. Would it be a lot of hassle to get it on the road...

It's my first ever project, not quite finished, and it's been a long road full of hard work...

Would appreciate your help...

Ride is 1989 EA1 MPFI 3.9L 6cyl, Fairmont Ghia
Repainted it, lowered it, fitted bodykit...just got it back on the road a few weeks ago... As I said, a lot of hard work. Absolutely love the vehicle (and how it drives) but I need to be realistic...
More info about the work that went in here...

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2976026/

Many thanks in advance
R.

[nstg8a]

has it been registered in your name for at least 12 months prior to you getting here?

if not, it makes it a lot harder.

imo, considering what ea's are worth here its not worth it.

for eg i know of a eb fairmont ghia that was sold recently here in brisbane, full ghia leather interior, good gt bodykit new paint, wheels etc, for less than $4000 aud.

my xf ute is still in storage in nelson, and ive been here for nearly 2 years now.

[croitoru]

Thank you for your answer nstg8a - guess that kind of sums it up... Sad, but I guess I can at least recoup some of the money if I sell it on TradeMe WITH the current rego plate...
Will still keep on open mind...but given the estimated fluidity of the first 12-24 months over there, might be more of a hassle to bring it over... and yes, I've had it since 2001.

[ebxr8240]

Check with the authorities here ?? You MAY be o/k seeing it was made in Aussie...
You need a certificate to unload car this end or it'll cost you megga bucks...
I doubt the shipping Co will let you load it without it...
Shipping should be under $2k...It was $1200 a few years back to Sydney...
Drive on drive off... Don't worry about a container...

[nstg8a]

taken from dotars site

5. Personal Imports - Part 10 on Application Form

The Personal Imports Scheme allows migrants settling in Australia, and expatriate Australian citizens returning permanently to Australia after a long period overseas, to bring their personal vehicles with them.

The Personal Imports Scheme is outlined at regulation 13 of the Motor Vehicle Standards Regulations 1989. Mandatory criteria apply under the scheme. These criteria are outlined below. The criteria are strictly enforced. If you fail to meet the criteria, you will not be eligible to import a vehicle under the scheme.

Criteria, ownership of the vehicle

Applicants must satisfy each of the following ownership requirements. You must:

own the vehicle when submitting the application; and
have acquired ownership of the vehicle from overseas; and
have owned the vehicle while overseas; and
have owned the vehicle for a continuous period of at least 12 months. This is the qualifying period. The qualifying period must have occurred immediately before you (permanently) arrived in Australia.
Criteria, use of the vehicle

The vehicle must have been available to you for use in transport. This means that the vehicle must have been available to be driven by you, at all times during the 12 month qualifying period. The vehicle should be registered (in your name) and garaged (proximate to your residence) throughout the 12 month qualifying period, so that you could, if needed, drive the vehicle. In addition, you must have held an appropriate licence to drive the vehicle overseas.

Criteria, citizenship and visa requirements

Applicants must fall into one of the following categories. You must:

be an Australian citizen; or
have applied to become an Australian citizen; or
be an Australian permanent resident (eg, hold a permanent visa); or
have applied to become an Australian permanent resident (eg, applied for a permanent visa); or
hold a visa that allows you to apply to become an Australian permanent resident (eg, hold a temporary visa that allows you to apply for a permanent visa); or otherwise
be entitled to remain in Australia indefinitely (eg, be a New Zealand citizen).
In addition, applicants must intend to change their residence. Applicants must have been resident in a foreign country (throughout the qualifying period of 12 months ownership and use of the vehicle) but now intend to become Australian residents on a permanent basis and remain in Australia indefinitely.


Note. The Personal Imports Scheme only covers individuals. Companies or corporations are not eligible to import a vehicle under the scheme.




Note. The Personal Imports Scheme does not cover temporary Australian residents. Visitors such as tourists, posted diplomatic personnel and posted military personnel are not eligible to import a vehicle under the scheme.

Criteria, date of application

Applications may be made before you arrive in Australia. Alternatively, applications may be made up to 6 months after you arrive in Australia.

Criteria, age of applicants

Applicants must be of an age to hold an Australian licence to drive the vehicle.

Criteria, limit of 1 vehicle per year

Applicants may only import one vehicle (under the Personal Imports Scheme) every 12 months.


Note. After 18 November 2010, applicants may only import one vehicle (under the Personal Imports Scheme) every 5 years.

Documents to be provided by the applicant

To apply for a vehicle import approval under the Personal Imports Scheme, you should provide the following (to the Department) in the first instance:

a completed Application for a Personally Imported Vehicle;
the application fee - $50 Australian dollars, by cheque, money order or credit card (MasterCard or Visa only). If paying by cheque from overseas, please seek advice from your bank on the correct procedure;
a copy of your drivers licence;
a copy of the purchase documents for the vehicle, in your name;
a copy of the registration documents for the vehicle (for the qualifying period), in your name;
a statement of travel. The statement of travel is prepared by you, and itemises any international travel you undertook during the qualifying period. In particular, the statement sets out any absences from your country of residence. If travel was for business reasons, you should supply a letter to that effect from your employer; and
a copy of your passport (this includes a copy of every page, including blank pages). If you hold dual passports, you should produce a copy of both passports.
Applicants importing a vehicle from Japan should also provide:

a copy of the Japanese deregistration certificate, in your name;
a copy of the Japanese parking approval, in your name; and
a copy of the Japanese compulsory tax and insurance documents.
Applicants may substantiate an intention to remain in Australia indefinitely, by establishing:

your employment details, such as a letter from your Australian employer;
a rental agreement / purchase agreement for your residential property in Australia;
the shipment of your household goods to Australia;
the enrolment of your children in an Australian school;
your Australian telephone / electricity accounts;the sale of your residential property in your former country of residence;
the cancellation of your residential rental property in your former country of residence; and
your resignation from employment in your former country of residence.
In addition, foreign citizens settling in Australia may substantiate an intention to remain in Australia indefinitely, by providing evidence that they have:

applied for an Australian Tax File Number;
registered with Medicare;
applied for Australian medical insurance;
applied to open an Australian bank account; and
applied for an Australian drivers licence.
These lists are a guide. You may also be required to provide further evidence, including:

a copy of the deregistration certificate, from the previous owner of the vehicle;
a copy of insurance documents for the vehicle;
copies of other documents that support your purchase of the vehicle (such as bank statements, receipts from vendors); and
copies of other documents that show you used the vehicle (such as receipts for any maintenance or repairs made to the vehicle).
Documents not in the English language must be accompanied by a translation certified by a member of an accredited agency such as the National Accreditation Authority of Translators and Interpreters.

You may be required to submit original documentation (not photocopies) to confirm eligibility under the scheme.

Hypothetical examples, under the Personal Imports Scheme

The following hypothetical examples are provided to assist you to decide whether you qualify under the Personal Imports Scheme.

Example 1
The applicant is an expatriate Australian citizen, resident for 2 years in the U.S. and employed as an airline pilot. During this period, because of work commitments, the applicant spent some considerable time outside the U.S. Nevertheless, the applicant remained based in, and resident of, the U.S. The applicant purchased a car 18 months ago in the U.S.; the car was garaged at the applicants U.S. residence and was registered for use in the U.S. for the entire 18 months. The applicant used the car regularly but infrequently. The applicant now intends to return permanently to Australia (and intends to take up employment as an airline pilot based in Australia). The applicant has not imported a car previously. The applicant qualifies under the Personal Imports Scheme to import the car into Australia, despite the infrequent use of the vehicle in the U.S.


Example 2
The applicant is a retired Australian citizen who 18 months ago moved to the U.K. The applicant was not employed but nevertheless remained based in, and resident of, the U.K. During this period, the applicant undertook a number of tours to neighbouring countries. The applicant purchased a car 18 months ago in the U.K.; the car was garaged at the applicants U.K. residence and was registered for use in the U.K. for the entire 18 months. Because of the applicants tours, the applicant used the car regularly but infrequently. The applicant now intends to return permanently to Australia. The applicant has not imported a car previously. The applicant qualifies under the Personal Imports Scheme to import the car into Australia, despite the infrequent use of the vehicle in the U.K.


Example 3
The applicant is an Australian citizen who has travelled to a Mediterranean country for 9 months, on an extended holiday and honeymoon. While overseas, the applicant purchased a scooter for personal transportation purposes and has used the scooter regularly and frequently for the entire 9 month period. The applicant is now returning to Australia. The applicant fails to qualify under the Personal Imports Scheme. This is because (1) the period of use of the scooter was less than 12 months; and (2) during this period, the applicant remained an Australian resident.


Example 4
The applicant is a New Zealand citizen who intends to settle permanently in Australia. The applicant is not travelling to Australia for holiday or tourist purposes. Rather, the applicant has arranged employment within Australia (and amongst other matters has obtained an Australian Tax File Number, has established an Australian bank account, has registered with Medicare and has applied for an Australian drivers licence). The applicant has also arranged residential property in Australia and is shipping his household goods to Australia. Under the TransTasman Travel Arrangement, there is a free flow of people between Australia and New Zealand. Upon arrival in Australia, New Zealand citizens are considered to have applied for a visa and, subject to health and character considerations, automatically receive a Special Category Visa. The applicant purchased a car 18 months ago in New Zealand; the car was garaged at the applicants New Zealand residence and was registered for use in New Zealand for the entire 18 months. The applicant has not imported a car previously. The applicant qualifies under the Personal Imports Scheme to import the car into Australia.
The personal import plate and vehicle registration

If you are eligible under the Personal Imports Scheme (and a vehicle import approval has been granted), you may apply for the issue of a personal import plate. There is an additional charge for the supply of the plate (payable to the plate contractor).

Vehicle registration is administered by the registering authority in your state or territory. Contact details for state or territory registering authorities are provided at the end of this bulletin.

The approval papers forwarded to you will contain four parts:

one copy allows the vehicle to be cleared from its point of entry into Australia (by the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service);
one copy allows you to obtain a personal import plate from the plate contractor;
one copy is for the state or territory registering authority, and is for the purpose of vehicle registration; and
one copy is for your own records, and should be kept with the vehicle.
A personal import plate is evidence that the vehicle is an approved vehicle import and allows the vehicle to be registered. Before you may apply for a personal import plate, the vehicle must be brought up to acceptable ADR standards and the original approval documents must be completed. For Australian registration purposes, a vehicle imported under the Personal Imports Scheme must:

be roadworthy; and
meet minimum safety standards.
Modifications to bring the vehicle up to minimum safety standards can be deferred until you wish to register the vehicle.

Some state or territory registering authorities will inspect your vehicle and sign a statement of compliance. Others will refer you to an authorised signatory for inspection. The statement of compliance on the approval documents must be signed by an authorised person. The original signed statement of compliance must then be sent to the plate contractor (whose address is set out in the approval documents).

You should contact your state or territory registering authority for further details on how to have your vehicle inspected and registered.

Go to the Personal Import Application form

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6. Is an Australian Identification Plate already fitted to the vehicle or are you returning a vehicle that was originally exported from Australia?

Part 8 on Application form

Any road vehicle, that is being imported into Australia must be covered by a valid import approval, a valid carnet or be subject to an intergovernmental agreement such as a Status of Forces Agreement before it may be cleared for entry into Australia by the Australian Customs Service.

There are many reasons that people take their Australian vehicle overseas, perhaps for a vacation, a particular event, to live overseas for a while or even to have work done on the vehicle. This section explains the different processes that may be followed to allow vehicles back in to Australia.

Vehicles fitted with an Australian Identification Plate that have not been modified before being re-imported to Australia

An Identification Plate (also known as a Compliance Plate) is fitted to a vehicle by the manufacturer to confirm that the vehicle complied with the applicable Australian Design Rules when it was first supplied to the market in Australia. Figure A shows what an identification plate looks like. Identification plates are normally fitted on the firewall on passenger cars and on the frame head on motorcycles however, some vehicles may have identification plates fitted in the door frame or in the luggage compartment. Older identification plates were made from stamped aluminium, modern plates are adhesive labels.


Typical Motor Car and Truck Identification Plate


Typical Motorcylce Identification Plate
Figure A

If your vehicle is fitted with an identification plate, an import approval may be able to be issued to allow you to import your vehicle. You must complete and submit the application at the end of this guide and provide the following information:

a completed Application for Approval to Import a Vehicle;
the application fee $50.00 Australian Dollars by cheque, Money Order, or credit card (MasterCard or Visa only) if paying by cheque from overseas, seek advice from your bank on the correct process;
Details of the plate, including a photograph showing:
Vehicle Make
Vehicle Model
Date of Manufacture
Vehicle Category
Number of seats
Identification Plate Approval Number
Photographic identification by way of an Australian drivers licence or picture page of a passport of the person making the application or, for a company, the responsible officer if you have not submitted an application to import a vehicle within the last 12 months you will need to provide photographic identification again;
Vehicles fitted with an Australian Identification Plate that have been extensively modified while overseas

Vehicles that have been extensively modified while overseas may not be eligible to be imported under this provision. Extensively modified vehicles may be considered new vehicles for the purpose of the Act because the original identification plate no longer describes the vehicle, for example in the case of a passenger car that has been stretched into a limousine with additional seats, the vehicle category may have changed and the number of seats listed on the plate may be incorrect. If your vehicle has been modified at all while overseas you must provide details of the modifications.

Where the modifications do mean that the identification plate is not valid, there are several alternatives under which an import approval may be granted:

For vehicles that were not used in transport in Australia (not registered), and not used overseas, the modified vehicle must be demonstrated to comply with the Australian Design Rules and approval must be issued under the Act to allow a new identification plate to be fitted. An application may be made to import the vehicle as a test vehicle .
For vehicles not used in Australia, modified and then used overseas, importation may only be granted under the Personal Imports Scheme (Section 5.5) or the Registered Automotive Workshops scheme (Section 4.3)
For vehicles that have been used in Australia and then exported and modified, an import approval may be granted if advice can be provided from the state or territory registration authority where the vehicle is to be registered that they will consider the vehicle for registration under their modified vehicle scheme. Import approvals issued under this arrangement will prohibit use in transport until a state or territory has registered the vehicle as a modified vehicle. People considering modifying their vehicle overseas should discuss registration requirements before exporting their vehicle.
Non Standard Vehicles not fitted with an identification plate.

If an import approval had been issued in the past to allow a vehicle not fitted with an identification plate to be imported into Australia, you cannot assume that it will be allowed back into Australia. A vehicle that was imported into Australia and then re-exported will need a new vehicle import approval before the vehicle can be imported back to Australia.

Please be aware, before you export the vehicle overseas you will only be issued with a new vehicle import approval if you satisfy one of the criteria contained in this document.

[Burnout]

Geeeezuuus, Just sell the dam thing, mate!

I know where there's a Morris Major for sale over here, a car you kiwi's should be familiar with.:P

[croitoru]

Thank you for the reply. While I admire British engineering, Morris is not quite what I'd be after ... not quite sure why, must be me... I'm also a slightly different generation from the one featured in Good Bye , pork pie :o)

Was interested if, with the modifications (lowering, big bore exhaust/extractors) and the fact it's never had a catalytic converter from factory PLUS the air con system is R12 (I think), if it would STILL be street legal in Queensland.

However, I tend to agree with your suggestion ... after cutting off all the love and attachment and discarding any consideration for the hard work and elbow grease I've put in it , I might just have to sell it and get a Mustang over there ...a red one probably.

[croitoru]

Thank you again nstg8a - quite comprehensive. I'm sure we'll qualify, I'm just wondering if I'll end up spending another 3-4k to get it on the road, with all the current modifications...

[ebxr8240]

I would say just a cat and child restraint brackets in the back ???
My WRX just needed the restraints... No epa testing etc required...

[GavL]

End of the day its your car and special to you, $ value may not matter as its your car, not someone else's you've bought over here.

On the other hand it could be a chance to start fresh with a new project.

[flappist]

Originally Posted by croitoru

Thank you for the reply. While I admire British engineering, Morris is not quite what I'd be after ... not quite sure why, must be me... I'm also a slightly different generation from the one featured in Good Bye , pork pie :o)

Was interested if, with the modifications (lowering, big bore exhaust/extractors) and the fact it's never had a catalytic converter from factory PLUS the air con system is R12 (I think), if it would STILL be street legal in Queensland.

However, I tend to agree with your suggestion ... after cutting off all the love and attachment and discarding any consideration for the hard work and elbow grease I've put in it , I might just have to sell it and get a Mustang over there ...a red one probably.

Taking the emotion out of it.

1) You will be able to buy about 4 EAs for the price of the freight.

2) You will need a road worthy to register it and that means compliance with Australian specs e.g. cat conv and air con gas.

3) When you do get it here it will be worth about $50 plus a slab of heavy (like most other EAs) so it will be a huge money losing adventure.

4) Are you going back? Leave it in a shed for your return. If not then sell it and buy an identical unit here and spend the money you save on freight on doing it up.

But it is up to you, your money.......

[The Snout]

You'll probably need sheep skin seat covers to pass Road Worthy in NZ.

[croitoru]

Yup, with the current weather in Welly, I'd say they'll make that compulsory safety feature soon...alongside roo skincover for rain protection.
flappist - thank you for the outline - it seems I'm heading in the same direction. No , don't intend to return at this stage, and leaving it in a shed for a couple of years will run it down failry quickly...just managed to put it back on the road after a while and had issues with seized brake calipers, steering, etc... been there, done that.
I'll list it for sale here and also get an idea of cost of shipping+landing+road compliance in Queensland. If I can't get the right price from the right next owner, I might bring it over. I have other things I need to sell (house, jeep, swift, boat) here first, so I might just have to pay the extra and bring it over. My main concern at the moment is potential difficulties with road compliance over there, as I cannot understand clearly if the mods will present a problem. Also, it would be much easier and cheaper to finish the vehicle as a project over in Australia, where the second hand and after market parts are plenty and reasonably priced, as opposed to kiwiland...

[scoupedy]

Not another one......but en zed is da best bro why would you want too

The shipping/wharf cost would be more than the car is worth i would think.
Silver ferns on the rear window get instand canary

[nstg8a]

Originally Posted by scoupedy

Silver ferns on the rear window get instand canary

when i bought my latest xf it had the southern cross on the back window, got pulled over 3 times in the first week, last cop suggested removing it cos its like waving "defect me" to the cops... i replaced it with the silver fern, havent been pulled over since.

[croitoru]

Only have an unwanted firestone sticker from a recent wheel alignment. Should I stick some 'roos or a big VB DRAFT logo instead, maybe it passes the compliance easier?

[croitoru]

Replaced the windscreen yesterday and tinted the windows today. I think I'll actually bring this one over. Many thanks to you all for the information, advice and thought.
Regards,
Radu