Top Challenges When Exporting Luxury Cars to Australia | GVE London – Blog

One might find themselves wondering how easy exporting cars from the UK to Australia is, considering the historical connection between the countries, as well as the major fact that King Charles III is its head of state, represented by the Governor-General. Whilst we would hesitate to call it difficult, various regulations and logistical issues need to be taken care of. In this blog post, we’ll try to understand those luxury car export challenges and save ourselves some good old time, money, and stress.

Strict Import Regulations and Compliance

Australia has some of the toughest import regulations out there, and it isn’t difficult to see why.

First off, all cars exported must meet Australia’s strict safety, emissions, and design standards. Any car that does not meet these requirements must be modified accordingly.

Secondly, Australia’s ecosystem is quite unique, with species of flora and fauna found nowhere else. So, as one would expect, the introduction of pests, diseases, and invasive species from foreign countries could lead to a disastrous situation. Because of this, vehicles must go through rigorous customs checks and quarantine inspections, especially those from high-risk regions.

If a car is found to be contaminated, it will need cleaning and may even be quarantined, leading to delays and additional costs. Failing to clear these biosecurity checks by the Australian Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment may result in fines or the car being sent back to the UK.

Read Also: Shipping Cars Overseas from the UK: Costs and Options Explained

Find The Market

Everything sells if it’s marketed right and to the right individuals. It has been observed that the Australian car market is dominated mainly by SUVs, sedans, and vans. There is a demand for high-end vehicles in cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth. That said, Australia’s high Luxury Car Tax (LCT) makes high-end vehicles much more expensive compared to Europe or the US, but car enthusiasts, as they tend to do, always find a way.

Logistical Challenges

Shipping is always a complex affair, and it’s made more cumbersome when the item being shipped is an expensive luxury car. Choosing the right shipping method is crucial to ensuring the safety of your vehicle during transit. The journey takes around 6–8 weeks, and during this time, the vehicle is floating around in a big boat, exposed to the elements. So, selecting a shipping company with experience in transporting expensive cars is the best course of action to make things as stress-free as possible.

Ideally, it’s best to opt for the container shipping option, as it transports your vehicle across the ocean inside an enclosed container, protecting it from environmental exposure. Meanwhile, Roll-On/Roll-Off (RoRo) shipping, which is a much more cost-effective option, offers less protection. Also, make sure you get insurance, as things hardly ever go wrong with prior notice. Get pictures and videos of your vehicle before you send it out for shipping.

Currency Fluctuations

This is quite a proactive recommendation, but when dealing with expensive vehicles, it makes a huge difference. You see, the exchange rates between the British Pound (GBP) and the Australian Dollar (AUD) impact the cost luxury car exports to a great extent. The buyer wants to spend as little as possible, and the seller, needless to say, wants to make the most they can.

For example, a weaker AUD would mean the costs incurred by Australian buyers are a lot higher, and they might not be interested in making a big purchase at the moment. Whereas when the rates are more favourable to the buyer, they’ll be more enthusiastic. So, it is important to keep an eye on current trends to avoid this issue.

Conclusion

Exporting cars from the UK to Australia comes with its fair share of exciting opportunities for both buyers and sellers. As long as one is able to successfully break through the strict regulations and logistical issues, for which preparation is key, the process isn’t too complicated.

For assistance, as ensuring everything is done right certainly gets overwhelming for an individual, consider tying up with a supercar showroom like GVE London. Being experts at vehicle exports, we understand the nuances thoroughly and can streamline the entire process for you, ensuring your vehicle(s) arrive safely and ready for the Australian roads. Furthermore, being enthusiasts, we not only perform the usual repairs and service but can work on customisation, modifications and detailing as well. To know more, hop on a call with us today!