How to Export Luxury Cars to Australia? | GVE London – Blog

Thinking of moving to Australia and not wanting to leave your buddy on wheels behind? We truly understand the sentiment. Leaving behind your ride, be it temporarily or permanently, is one of the most difficult tasks for a car enthusiast. So, if you want your ride to come along with you to Australia, whether you’re merely visiting for a vacation or making Australia your new home, it is possible with careful planning and a thorough understanding of the process. In this blog post, we’ll state all you need to know and the steps involved in exporting cars from the UK to Australia.

Understanding Import Regulations

Australia isn’t exactly the most lenient country in terms of vehicle import regulations, but it is definitely better than many others. First things first, you must obtain a Vehicle Import Approval (VIA) from the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications. This department handles the regulation and compliance side of things. Without their stamp of approval, your vehicle won’t be entering the Australian border legally.

Now, it also matters which car you’re exporting to Australia. There are certain guidelines, as well as predefined safety and emissions standards, that a car must meet in order to be allowed into the country. If your car is older than 25 years, it will come under the “pre-1989” scheme and must qualify there. A supercar showroom, like GVE London can assist you in ensuring your vehicle complies with all the requirements.

The Taxes Don’t End

Here’s a kicker: 

You’ve spent a long time getting yourself a luxury car and saved enough money to move to Australia. Well, get ready to shell out some more cash, because Australia imposes a Luxury Car Tax on imported vehicles that exceed a certain price range. As of the 2024–25 financial year, the LCT threshold is $80,567 for standard vehicles and $91,387 for fuel-efficient vehicles, and any car exceeding that is taxed at a rate of 33%. Unfortunate, but such is the case.

To make things clearer, let’s take this example. Your car is worth $100,000. The LCT threshold is $80,567. So, the taxable amount is $100,000 – $80,567, which equals $19,433, and 33% of that is $6,412.89. This amount is in addition to the 10% Goods and Services Tax (GST) and any applicable customs duties.

To get the most up-to-date details, a supercar showroom would have the latest data.

Read Also: How to Choose the Right Shipping Method for Car Exports?

Tips for Success

Once you’ve understood the taxation systems, here are some recommendations to make the process easier.

• Shipping a luxury or supercar must be done with delicacy and care. A single scratch can cost you a hefty amount. Nobody likes a scratched luxury vehicle. So, consider partnering with a shipping company or a luxury car export dealer that has a history of working with expensive vehicles.
• Nobody likes paperwork. It is boring and tedious, yet it is the most important part of it all. So, make sure the paperwork is ready, including the car’s registration, proof of ownership, Bill of Lading, Import Declaration, and Vehicle Import Approval (VIA) form.
• Before shipping your car out, first check if it complies with Australian Design Rules (ADRs), which cover safety and environmental standards. Otherwise, you’re going to be stuck in quite a predicament and may have to perform some costly modifications.

Conclusion

Exporting cars from the UK to Australia isn’t impossible, but it is certainly an involved process. However, with the right knowledge of what to do and an understanding of the regulations and compliance requirements, it shouldn’t be too difficult either. If you need assistance with the process, you can always get in touch with a trade showroom. For all your service, wrapping, repair, detailing, or modification requirements, contact GVE London!