Another Private Import Query

[MrGTST]

Hi Guys and Girls...

Yes its another person asking for advice... I have checked the other threads around here and done the searches but also want to be armed with the most current information possible... I would also like different points of view....

I have made enquiries with a company in japan that will browse the auctions on your behalf,purchase the vehicle and ship it too you.

The prices they give for cars ( I am considering and R34 GT-T ) seem very cheap. This includes the price of the car and there shipping charge... Apart from compliancing would privately importing a car from japan be hit for any other charges upon entering australia? Do people have in success/horror stories as I also have the fear that every person gets where the money I deposit/pay for the vehicle will be lost overseas for nothing in return...

Basically I wouldnt mind a little help of the run downs of do's and dont's and anything under the new RAWS etc that may cause myself headaches...

Thanks in advance

[Blitz]

Give Prestige Motorsport a try. Geoff is normally more than happy to answer your questions and his website is pretty informative as well.

http://www.prestigemotorsport.com.au

[MrGTST]

I have checked out there website also... but this company in japan reckons they can get an R34 GT-T for 18,000 max shipped to Aus... I dont think I have seen anywhere that cheap before...

[lwells]

Import taxes, GST, stamp duty, not to mention compliancing costs ($5500 on R34 I hear).

Edit: http://www.prestigemotorsport.com.au/au/html/icc.html

LW.

[dale]

dodgy car maybe?

[lwells]

dodgy car maybe?

Probably not -- $18000 is about right before you add on all the taxes and compliancing costs.

LW.

[MrGTST]

Why are the compliancing costs so hi... the actually moddifications themselves are rather cheap aint they??? Isnt it the usual... mirrors/tyres/seatbelts etc ... or is the plate itself expensive???

[lwells]

Why are the compliancing costs so hi... the actually moddifications themselves are rather cheap aint they??? Isnt it the usual... mirrors/tyres/seatbelts etc ... or is the plate itself expensive???

Primarily because the plates are in short supply so market forces come in to play -- supply and demand. Workshops also have to cover the cost of becoming an approved workshop (remember, they only get 100 plates a year) while still making the process economically viable.

LW.

[BlueR32GTR]

Has anybody imported an '89 GTR this year under the 15 year rule?

Id be interested to hear your stories about compliance, costs, what was checked etc.

Thanks.

[kwazza11]

Has anybody imported an '89 GTR this year under the 15 year rule?

Id be interested to hear your stories about compliance, costs, what was checked etc.

Thanks.

dont qoute me but i'm pretty sure GTR's didnt get put in to production until mid year (august?) so no one will have got one complied yet.

[zymotic]

Heres a breakdown for importing 95 auction grade 4 GTST 6 months ago.

FOB 7214 (car + getting on boat)

PRESTIGE 1100 (Geoffs fee)

TT FEE 20 (Telegraphic Transfer Fee for FOB)

MACCUSTOMS 4015 (Customs agent, shipping, insurance, customs clearance)

COMPLIANCE 4609 (To ADR's)

REGO 488

CTP 357

17803 AUD

Basically, adding $10k to the FOB cost. IE u will pay $ 28k to get that GTT on the road not including insurance (i pay $2k), alarms for some insurance companies $400 etc

If shipping is included - $2k. But your $18k is prob only FOB.

It adds up very fast. Still probably did better than if i bought local.

+ for a GTT u may pay more for compliance as not many RAWS do them yet.

[urbanoperations]

ok... From Now On You Cannot Import A New Model Car 90Model Plus unless you are a compliance Yard Holder... you can only bring in 15Yold Cars now, none of this personal import approval Stuff anymore...

[lwells]

ok... From Now On You Cannot Import A New Model Car 90Model Plus unless you are a compliance Yard Holder... you can only bring in 15Yold Cars now, none of this personal import approval Stuff anymore...

Where are you getting that info from, because its just wrong.

LW.

[Duncan]

Approx costs for an 18000 FOB car:

shipping 1000-2000

customs duty 15+ of 18000 = 2700

GST 10+ of 20700 = 2070

steam clean 500

compliance 6000

new tyres 1000

registration 1000

Stamp duty 3% of 20700 = 600

approx total costs 33870

and of course, unless your Japanese contact is familar with SEVS requirements there may be further costs - all mods need to be removed and replaced with stock parts. And if the car has anything other than *minor* damage it will have to be exported or crushed.

Make sure you know what you are getting into....

Other options other than SEVS remain personal import (own 12 months os first) or race import for CAMS license holders

[urbanoperations]

yes ok, i dont care....

[MrGTST]

Cool... Thanks for the replies thus far... I was planning on specifying a grade 4 - 4.5 with no accident damge in stock from to minimise the probs on getting it through.... I must admit I was hoping the compliancing would have been cheaper though... I am awaiting some further details from both Geoff and other sources... will have to see what $$$ they come back with

[Duncan]

Well you may get compliance cheaper but the first r34 ones were only approved this month, and the workshops have had to make a HGE investment to get plates approved.

I've been quoted between 4000 and 6000 for a stagea.

I'd strongly suggest talking to prestige, j-spec etc and get them to help you out, the fee they charge is worth the peace of mind to me.

[Guest]

Craig at J-spec can get R34's complied right now I was talking to him today www.j-spec.com.au imports@j-spec.com.au