Vehicle Relocation Courier

Article by: Elizabeth
Last updated: Tuesday, 11-Jul-2006 00:00:00 CEST

For transporting a vehicle you will need a vehicle relocation courier. Before that thopugh think whether you really want or need to do this as it's a costly exercise in both shipping and getting it on the roadplus the servicing of the vehicle. However, you may have a vintage car that is your pride and joy and life "down under" wouldn't be complete without it! If that's the case, then here is a guide for what you will need to do.

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Federal Office of Road Safety

Prior to vehicle relocation, you MUST gain import approval from the Federal Office of Road Safety. Importation takes place once a vehicle relocation has got to an Australian port. for the purpose of landing it. Import Approval will be used for gaining clearance at its point of entry into Australia. The form to gain this approval can be obtained at the following website: http://www.dotars.gov.au/land/imports Certif/imp-cert.htm

The completed form will need to be returned together with the fee and usually within 3 weeks you will hear whether your application to import it has been accepted or rejected.

If it is accepted, then you will need to exchange the registration documents for a "Certificate of Permanent Export" which can be done at the nearest Driver Vehicle Licensing Centre. Once the vehicle relocation process has got it in Australia, you are not allowed to use it on the road until all importing procedures and processes have been complied with. The vehicle MUST be transported on a trailer during this part of the relocation process. First of all, you will be asked to pay 10% of the value of the vehicle to Customers for GST (Goods and Services Tax the equivalent of VAT) before you can collect the it.

STEP 1

:in order to prove the vehicle relocation was legal and is suitable to be used in Australia, you will need to obtain a "Personal Import Plate" and fix it to the vehicle. This will display that the it has been imported legally. In order to do this, submit an application form and appropriate fee to: Niddrie Name Plates Pty Ltd, PO Box 106, Niddrie, Victoria 3042 Australia. Ph: (03) 9335 2977 Fax: (03) 9335 4357

STEP 2

: Obtain a Modification Plate and Certificate. You are able to obtain this once an authorised engineer has inspected the vehicle. S/he will ensure that the vehicle complies with current Western Australian motoring standards. Once this is done, a plate and certificate are issued which carry the VIN and Engine Numbers. The plate has to be fixed to the vehicle and the serial number on the plate stamped onto the chassis. To gain this plate and certificate, you will need to contact an authorised engineer whose fee will be dependant upon the vehicle type, etc. The transport dept. will require this certificate to enable you to obtain registration of the vehicle.

STEP 3

:In this step of the vehicle relocation process it will need to be taken by a trailer to a motor garage authorised to inspect and test the vehicle for roadworthiness and issue a Vehicle Safety Certificate. Any work required to bring the it up to Australian roadworthy standards will be an additional cost.

STEP 4

:The next part of the relocation exercise will now be to obtain a Western Australian State vehicle registration. In order to do this, the vehicle must be taken by trailer to the local State Transport Office together with a completed application form and the appropriate fee. It will then will then be checked by the Vehicle Registration Office to ensure it complies with the import and modification requirements. You will also be liable to pay 2% Stamp Duty of the declared value. You will also need to obtain a CTP (Compulsory third party insurance) insurance certificate BEFORE going to the State Transport Office.

If all goes well your vehicle relocation is now complete and you will be able to drive your vehicle on Australian roads - Happy Motoring!

Contact and Information

The Department of Transport and Regional Services (www.dotars.gov.au). Go to the home page, top centre and click Index. Select I for Imports from the alphabetical list, importing vehicles which takes you to the main import page to obtain the documents you need. Then select Vehicle Certification in Australia (near top of page) which then takes you to another page. Scroll down until you see a list of documents called vehicle standards bulletins. Select VSB 10 which contains everything you need to know.