Importing Using Personal Import Scheme

[cracker_15]

just saw bobo's thread on personal import scheme and was wondering what was involved to qualify for a personal import per year eg. how long must you live in japan - do you need japanese citizenship etc.? and what exactly do you avoid in terms of compliance when importing using the personal import scheme?

would appreciate any feedback, and if this question has been asked or covered before i apologise i did search, but please link me to the appropriate thread... cheers.

[raz0r$harP.UK]

See here: http://www.dotars.gov.au/transport/safety/...rting.aspx#5.06

Must own the vehicle for 12 months, be an Aussie citizen / PR or applied to become one, and have relevant car documentation as per the link.

The work required when the car gets here depends on the state, as there are different requirements. Basically though the car needs to meet ADR requirements (usually satisfied through an engineering certificate &/or inspection by the registration authority).

What you save over the normal SEVS scheme is the cost, and your car can be modified (provided you can meet the requirements in the para above).

[kakimoto33]

See here: http://www.dotars.gov.au/transport/safety/...rting.aspx#5.06

Must own the vehicle for 12 months, be an Aussie citizen / PR or applied to become one, and have relevant car documentation as per the link.

The work required when the car gets here depends on the state, as there are different requirements. Basically though the car needs to meet ADR requirements (usually satisfied through an engineering certificate &/or inspection by the registration authority).

What you save over the normal SEVS scheme is the cost, and your car can be modified (provided you can meet the requirements in the para above).

We should be a little more clear about this to avoid confusion:

You must have owned the car for a full 12 months while living overseas with it, you may also be required to show proof that you were the main driver of this car while living there.

When returning to Australia you must either be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or be prepared to apply for PR status and provide proof that you are moving back here permanently with some of the following documents:

- freight of personal possessions from overseas

- enrolment of children in school

- opening bank accounts

- employment contracts

- house rental or purchase paperwork

- connection of services in your name (power, gas, water)

- anything else that shows commitment to stay in Aus

The main advantage of importing a car under these laws is that you can import any car regardless of make or model (unlike the limited models allowed under the SEVS compliance laws)

For compliance there are a few things that will not be required however the main point is that you don't need to go through an RAWS workshop who has huge overheads like with SEVS compliance. You can expect most personal imports to cost around $600 to $1,000 for the compliance work needed (compared to $2,500 to $4,500 for SEVS)

[cracker_15]

Thanks for the feedback guys, certainly an interesting read on the dotars site. Had planned on OS holiday to japan and thought maybe i could take advantage of it but i wont be there 12 months...

[Razzmeister]

Just wanted a little bit more info from one of the J-Spec guys or Razor on this if I could.

Says you need proof that you are returning to Aus.

Does this mean that you could only ever do one personal import, as you would have to do it when moving back from Japan? Or otherwise keep moving back and forth b/w the 2 countries?

Or can you do one a year for as long as you are there and say that you intend to move back to Aus at some later stage? Obviously living here atm I have an Aussie address and bank accounts etc. Woud those be enough if I keep them to show intent to move back here permanently?

The reason I'm asking is that I may move to Japan at some stage, and there are a few cars on my list that I would love to bring back over, so if it was possible to live there for say 3 years and bring 3 over that would be awesome.

[kakimoto33]

Just wanted a little bit more info from one of the J-Spec guys or Razor on this if I could.

Says you need proof that you are returning to Aus.

Does this mean that you could only ever do one personal import, as you would have to do it when moving back from Japan? Or otherwise keep moving back and forth b/w the 2 countries?

Or can you do one a year for as long as you are there and say that you intend to move back to Aus at some later stage? Obviously living here atm I have an Aussie address and bank accounts etc. Woud those be enough if I keep them to show intent to move back here permanently?

The reason I'm asking is that I may move to Japan at some stage, and there are a few cars on my list that I would love to bring back over, so if it was possible to live there for say 3 years and bring 3 over that would be awesome.

Basically you would have to convince DOTARS that you are going to stay here in Australia rather than just spending a week here on holiday before moving back overseas, however once they are convinced and the import approval has ben issued then you can head back overseas again if you like.

There are quite a few guys living in Japan who come back to Australia once every year or so and being a personal import with them, I think it's easier for a returning resident than it would be for a foreign passport holder too.