FAQ

Member of Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce (VACC)

Sales@vicautos.com.au

Vic Auto Zone & Compliance

Vic Auto Zone is a certified RAW-000059 under ROVER

What Can I Import?

Check the list of eligible vehicles at SEVs Register. NB: a vehicle must be on this list and ALSO available for compliance at a certified RAWS workshop. If you have any doubts please call or email us to confirm eligibility of your vehicle.

What are the VicAutoZone Fees?

VicAutoZone charges a flat fee of $990 GST inclusive which covers all the work involved in sourcing (we will send you several options to choose from), buying, shipping, filing of paperwork, and compliance. Our compliance service starts at just $1650 GST inclusive for converting the vehicle to Australian standards. Please email us for a fixed price quote at Sales@vicautos.com.au

Who complies the car to Australian standards?

If the vehicle is manufactured after 1st January 1989 the only person who can apply for an import approval and comply the car is a RAWS Vic Auto Zone is a certified RAW-000059 under ROVER.

Can you import modified cars?

No. Under the new RAWS scheme, all cars are to be stock standard, and if vehicles arrive with any modifications, they are to be returned to stock and the modifications are to be crushed. Any car produced pre-1989 are different and modifications may be allowed. Check with your local authority as every state/territory has different criteria.

What sort of modifications may be acceptable?

For pre 1989 cars, you are best to use the Safety certificate, blue slip or road-worthy certificate as a general guide. Registering authorities are pretty strict now, so be careful when presenting a car for registration. Post 1989 no modifications are permitted.

Once you have had the car complied, is it ready to register?

After the vehicle has been complied, you need to get a roadworthy certificate or other paperwork needed by your state prior to registration.

Do you normally experience any problems at the motor registry?

No. The registry offices are getting used to imports now, so it is usually quite a smooth process, as long as you have all the correct paper work. The car is presented in good order and as the compliance rules stipulate you should be fine.There were instances of some individuals making it tough for people registering imports, but with the advent of SEVS and RAWS, the guys and girls at the various branches are better than they used to be. Ask your broker to help with registration. It is his job to assist.

What do you need to take to the registry other than the rego application and your licence?

In each State you will need the Import Approval, CIN (Consumer Information Notice). Some states ask for a copy of the VIC (Vehicle Inspection Certificate), all of which you will get from the complier. Note: Each state has its own rules for registering a vehicle – eg, in Queensland you must have a roadworthy certificate, in NSW you have to get a pink slip, blue slip etc and in Victoria you will need a roadworthy certificate. All this is the same as if you were registering any vehicle for the first time in your name. Some authorities are asking for shipping documents – it seems there are no defined rules, just take everything and have copies ready. You don’t want to lose any of your paperwork.

Who keeps the import approval?

The owner of the vehicle usually gets the import approval and the compliance company will keep a copy.

If the car runs out of rego or is sold interstate, is it treated differently than a local car?

No. Once the car has been registered in Australia, it is treated the same as a local car.

What happens to a vehicle that has structural damage when it arrives at a RAWS workshop and has to be re-exported or crushed?

Make sure you are happy with the arrangements if this occurs, there are unscrupulous backyard brokers who will leave you dangling, no responsibility – they just dump you. Make sure you get a comprehensive money-back guarantee or don’t use that broker.

How big is the Japanese car market?

Japan is the second largest domestic automobile market in the world, with five major manufacturers Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Mitsubishi and Mazda.

WHAT WILL IT COST AND WHEN DO I PAY?

TERMS OF TRADE

We will assist you to locate your dream car from several sources for example Japanese auctions, Japanese used car dealers, wholesale networks, private sellers and export agents but first-

For an order to be made $990 GST inclusive (if we are also complying the vehicle this is ‘the deposit’) must be paid to RPI to start the process. We take the payment upfront to ensure only genuine orders are taken and this amount is refunded if an order is cancelled before the vehicle has been purchased from Japan.

Once an order has been filled a proforma invoice will be sent to you advising that the requested unit(s) have been purchased.

The following procedure is RPI’s payment schedule:

A fee of $990 GST inclusive is to be paid to RPI to start the search for your vehicle. As above- this amount is refunded if an order is cancelled before the vehicle has been purchased from Japan. You can request a copy of our contract at Sales@vicautos.com.au .

Once a vehicle is purchased, the buyer pays the FOB cost of the vehicle.

As the car arrives in Melbourne (we can arrange other ports but if we are complying the car Melbourne is our local port) the buyer pays shipping/customs/taxes for the vehicle.

Upon completion of compliance, the buyer picks up the car (or we can assist with interstate transport) and makes final payment for compliance and any other outstanding balance. Please call or email us for an up to date Compliance Cost Schedule at Sales@vicautos.com.au

Once the particular vehicle has been purchased from Japan the deposit is no longer refundable and is forfeited if the order is cancelled from this time onwards.

Tax & Imports Duties

  • Import Duty of 5% on the FOB calculation and;
  • GST at 10% of the customs evaluation of reasonable market value.
For example a car purchased for A$10000.00 would attract $500.00 in Import Duty with 10% GST being imposed on the final C&F Price. If a car worth $10000.00 is purchased for $5000.00 you still pay the same duty and GST as if it was purchased for $10000.00.

In addition to Import Duty and GST there is also around $1000 worth of other fixed Customs Duties you have to pay when a car has landed at a port.