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UPDATE 2: hehehehe..

I just called up shipping line to verify everything before I headed in today, and they told me ship hasn't arrived in Sydney yet!! It's coming this weekend and it's a bit too early to arrange everything (with customs and stuff) yet, so I'll be going in Friday to pay shipping / customs, and it'll be ready for pickup Monday.

Oh well, despite the delay I guess I'm finally happy since I know everything is on track.

I beat you all. I bought my car august LAST year. Applied for my import approval on the 1st of January (like eleventy billion other people). Didnt recieve it untill Mid May, and now im told my car will arrive on the dock around the 4th of August, so i may get it on the road around september!!!!!!!!!!

You think your pissed!! Get in line

update thursday: grr :P

In a nutshell - I'm waiting on the degassing certificate. Still planning on doing it myself.

If you want to know the specifics, read on..

***

I called up Customs to double check what I need to do (because I've never maanged to get the same response twice)..anyway the lady on the phone told me "you cannot put in requests for customs clearance and inspection until the ship has actually landed" - I have previously been told that I could file the forms a couple of days before the ship docked. She checked with her manager and told me that only brokers can pre-apply for customs, everyone else must wait until the car is docked.

In a moment of desperation, I was about to just get a customs agent to do it for me. I called up CGL (they did my R33 last year) and spoke to them. Was told that yes, they could do it, but I needed the aircon degassing cert first. They also confirmed my car is arriving this weekend.

Called up broker .. 'hello Mr Broker where's the degassing certificate? By the way thanks for not informing me that my car is being shipped this weekend..'

Anyway he's still having issues reaching the supplier. The supplier previously said the degassing forms would be ready by 5 July, so it should be a matter of him faxing them off when he's in the office next (hopefully tomorrow).

Still intending to do it myself though. I'm going in tomorrow to pay shipping line / pick up delivery order, and then visiting Customs to take a look at the forms and see how it is supposed to be done. I'm assuming I'll have the forms I need by Monday so I can go arrange inspections and pick up car later on in the week.

Sorry for the post, this thread is turning into quite a biggie.

heh, the joys of importing.

It took me 17 weeks from paying the FOB to driving away in my R33.

I picked it up on Xmas eve last year.

THE BEST FUGGIN CRISSY PRESSY EVER!!

It's a pain in the arse going through it but it saved me about eight grand.

Update on my personal import (R32 GTR)

Received BIG GO AHEAD letter from DOTARS tonight :rofl:

29 DAYS from date of application... Not so bad considering other tales from this thread. Only about 15-25 Days untill car is in OZ (hopefully) Then I will see (SAUvic) guys on the road. ;) if everything goes well... (fingers x'ed)

Oo oO

Hey ppls..just wanted to update the thread again.

Everything's cool now. I now have a lovely car sitting at the workshop getting complied. The car arrived in Australia last Saturday and I managed to clear it Wednesday. Considering I did it myself I think that's pretty good.

I wouldn't recommend trying to clear a car yourself unless you've got a few days spare, and a LOT of patience. Few little things along the way held me up, but only by like a day. Lots of stress but I have a better appreciation of the whole process now!

Cheers.

  • 2 weeks later...
I am thinking of importing my own car (through broker and customs agent tho).

After reading this thread I hope thats shephards pie in my knickers.

*scared*

Just read up and plan plan plan, and budget budget budget :D Its not that scary if you take the time to research it.

Personally I think going with a custom broker is a small price to pay for a much easier ride.

LW.

  • 2 weeks later...

I paid for my Cefiro on the 2nd of July, and the car was on the boat on the 30th of July, landed in Freo on Aug 12, and Im clearing it in customs myself. I had the car degassed in Japan and had the certificate faxed over, which i sent to the EPA in Sydney, who intern cleared this OK and notified customs in Freo. My Customs Entry form was filled out by myself, and I went in bright and early and the guy helped me fill it out correctly, using correct codes etc. Apparantly they dont usually do this, but I found a nice block on a good day, and hopefully i wont have any dramas from this. I have to call AQIS once the car is clear, which should be Monday. Apparantly AQIS are pretty quick at the moment, within 24 hour turn around time from booking an inspector to when he/she actually comes out to see the car.

JK

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