Importing a Car to Australia from the UK: Costs, Rules and Process

For many families moving to Australia, a car is not always an easy item to leave behind. It may be a restored classic, a reliable family vehicle with years of use left, or a car that would be expensive to replace to the same standard after arrival. Importing a car to Australia is possible, but the rules are strict, and the process works best when each step is completed in the right order.

Bringing a vehicle into Australia involves several stages. You need to confirm whether the car is eligible, identify the correct import pathway, obtain import approval before shipment, choose a suitable shipping method, prepare the vehicle for biosecurity inspection, and allow for duties, GST, Luxury Car Tax where applicable, and local registration requirements after arrival. Each stage affects the next, so early planning helps avoid delays once the vehicle is already in transit.

Simpsons has experience coordinating vehicle shipping alongside household removals to Australia. That can be useful when a car forms part of a wider relocation, because shipping dates, customs paperwork, destination handling, and delivery planning need to work alongside the household move rather than sit separately from it.

Planning to ship your car and belongings to Australia? Get a free removals quote.

The information here is general guidance only. It is not customs, legal, tax, or financial advice, and Australian import rules can change. Always confirm the latest requirements with the Australian authorities and a licensed customs broker or vehicle import specialist before committing to shipping a car from the UK. 

Can I Import Any Car into Australia?

No, not every car can be imported into Australia. Road vehicles need import approval before they are brought into the country, and the vehicle must qualify under a recognised approval pathway.

Vehicle Import Eligibility Pathways

Most UK emigrants will use the first route below.

• Personal Import Scheme. For people migrating to or returning to Australia who have owned and driven the vehicle for at least 12 months. This is the usual route for someone bringing their own car as part of a move.
• Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicle Scheme (SEVS). For eligible specialist or enthusiast vehicles on an approved register. It matters more to collectors than to families.
• Classic and older vehicles. May fall under different requirements depending on age; historically, those made before a set cut-off. Verify the current cut-off before relying on it.
• Registered Automotive Workshop and approved importer routes. Aimed at commercial importers rather than individuals.

Eligibility must be confirmed before any shipping arrangement is made. For someone emigrating with their own car, the Personal Import Scheme is usually the right route.

How Do I Import a Car from the UK to Australia?

Importing a car from the UK to Australia follows a set sequence. The process usually starts with eligibility, then moves through import approval, cleaning, shipping, customs clearance, biosecurity inspection, compliance, and registration. 

Working through those stages in sequence reduces the risk of storage charges, port delays, or problems that only become visible after the car has already left the UK. 

Step-by-Step Car Import Process (Overview)

1. Confirm your eligibility pathway, which for most UK emigrants is the Personal Import Scheme.
2. Apply for and obtain a Vehicle Import Approval through the ROVER system before shipping.
3. Prepare and thoroughly clean the vehicle for biosecurity, including a steam clean of the engine bay, underbody and interior.
4. Choose a shipping method, either container or roll-on roll-off, and book with an experienced shipper.
5. Complete export formalities in the UK.
6. Ship the vehicle to the destination port in Australia.
7. Clear customs and pay import duty, GST, and any Luxury Car Tax.
8. Pass the biosecurity, or quarantine, inspection.
9. Complete any required compliance and identification plate steps.
10. Register the vehicle in your Australian state or territory.

Step two is critical. The import approval must be obtained before shipping. A car that arrives without it can be refused entry, sent back, or destroyed at the owner’s cost, with no room for recovery.

Use our cost calculator to estimate the cost of shipping your car and household goods together: international removals cost calculator.

What Does It Cost to Ship and Import a Vehicle to Australia?

Importing a car costs considerably more than the shipping quote alone. The freight figure is the most visible, but duty, tax, biosecurity, and compliance stack on top of it and together can rival or exceed the cost of the crossing. The table below breaks down the total cost for most shipments.

Cost Component	Indicative Amount	Notes
Sea freight (UK to Australia)	GBP 1,500 to GBP 3,500+	Depends on the method (container vs RoRo), port, and vehicle size
Vehicle Import Approval application	Modest government fee	Verify the current ROVER application fee
Marine insurance	1.5% to 3% of vehicle value	Strongly recommended
UK export and handling	Variable	Port handling, documentation
Australian import duty	Typically 5% of the customs value	Lower or nil may apply under some conditions; verify
GST	10% of (customs value + duty + transport/insurance)	Applies to most imports
Luxury Car Tax (LCT)	33% above the LCT threshold	Only on high-value vehicles above the threshold
Biosecurity inspection and cleaning	AUD 100s to AUD 1,000s	Higher if the vehicle fails initial inspection
Quarantine/port charges	Variable	Storage if delays occur
Compliance and modifications	Variable	If modifications are required for standards
State registration and inspection	Variable by state	Roadworthy, registration, plates

These figures are indicative and should be verified. Duty, GST, biosecurity, and compliance add so much to the freight cost that a lower-value car can cost more to import than to buy in Australia, a comparison addressed later.

What Import Duties and Approvals Apply When Bringing a Car into Australia?

Two separate requirements apply when bringing a car into Australia: permission to import the vehicle and payment of the charges due at entry. 

Import approval confirms whether the vehicle can be brought in, while duty, GST, and any Luxury Car Tax determine what must be paid before clearance.

These are separate steps, and one does not replace the other. A vehicle may qualify for approval but still attract taxes and charges, so the approval process and customs cost calculation should both be checked before shipping is arranged.

Vehicle Import Approval (The ROVER Application)

A Vehicle Import Approval is the mandatory permission required before importing a car to Australia, obtained through the official ROVER online system before the vehicle is shipped. It is specific to that vehicle and route, not a reusable permit. Shipping without it is a serious error: an unapproved vehicle can be refused entry, re-exported, or destroyed at your expense.

Import Duty, GST, and Luxury Car Tax Explained

Yes, in most cases, you will pay duty in three separate charges. Import duty is typically 5% of the customs value for most passenger vehicles, though some categories and ages differ. GST is charged at 10% on the customs value plus duty plus transport and insurance. Luxury Car Tax applies only to higher-value vehicles, at 33% on the value above the LCT threshold, which is updated annually and set higher for fuel-efficient vehicles.

Charge	Rate	Calculated On	Applies To	Notes
Import duty	Typically 5%	Customs value of the vehicle	Most passenger vehicles	Some older or specific vehicles may differ; verify
GST	10%	Customs value + duty + transport + insurance	Almost all imports	Standard goods and services tax
Luxury Car Tax	33%	Value above the LCT threshold	High-value vehicles only	Threshold set annually; higher threshold for fuel-efficient cars

The following worked example is illustrative only, not a quote. On a car with a customs value of GBP 20,000, import duty at 5% adds GBP 1,000. GST at 10%, calculated on the value, duty, transport, and insurance combined, adds around GBP 2,300 on a base of GBP 23,000. Together they add over GBP 3,000 before biosecurity, compliance, and registration. A licensed customs broker can calculate the precise liability.

Shipping a vehicle to Australia? Explore our international removals service for cars and household goods.

Can I Ship My Car Alongside My Household Goods to Australia?

Yes, a car can often be shipped alongside household goods when a family is moving to Australia. This usually means using a container, with the vehicle secured separately and the household goods packed around or behind it in line with shipping and biosecurity requirements.

This can make practical sense when the vehicle forms part of a full relocation rather than a standalone shipment. It keeps the move under one coordinated plan, but the car still needs its own import approval, customs clearance, and biosecurity preparation.

Combined Car and Household Shipping Explained

A 40ft container typically takes a car plus a household’s belongings, the vehicle secured at the front and the goods behind a bulkhead. This gives one shipment, one customs process, and better use of space than shipping the car alone. Two conditions apply: both the car and the goods must meet Australia’s biosecurity standards, and the car still needs its own Vehicle Import Approval. Roll-on roll-off shipping cannot carry household goods.

Container Shipping vs Roll-on Roll-off (RoRo) for Cars

The two main ways to ship a car are container and roll-on roll-off. The right choice depends on whether the car travels alone or as part of a household move.

Factor	Container Shipping	Roll-on Roll-off (RoRo)
How it works	Car secured inside a shipping container	Car driven onto a dedicated vehicle vessel
Can include household goods?	Yes (shared container with belongings)	No (vehicle only)
Security and protection	Higher (enclosed, protected from weather)	Lower (open vehicle deck)
Cost (car only)	Usually higher	Usually lower (often the cheapest car-only option)
Cost (car + household goods)	Efficient (one container, one shipment)	Not applicable
Best for	Emigrants moving home and car together; valuable/classic cars	Car-only shipments on a budget
Personal items in car	Generally not permitted (biosecurity/insurance)	Not permitted
Availability	Widely available	Route-dependent

The right choice depends on the situation:

• Shipping home and car together: a combined container is usually the most cost-effective route.
• Shipping a car alone on a budget: RoRo is often cheaper.
• A valuable or classic car: container shipping justifies its cost through better protection.

What Paperwork Is Required to Import a UK Car into Australia?

Importing a UK car into Australia requires paperwork for ownership, approval, shipping, customs, and registration. The exact documents depend on the import pathway, but incomplete or inconsistent records can delay clearance once the vehicle reaches port.

The most important documents usually prove that the vehicle is eligible, legally owned, correctly valued, approved for import, and properly shipped. Preparing these before the car leaves the UK reduces the risk of storage charges and avoids last-minute requests when the vehicle is already in Australia.

• Vehicle Import Approval (VIA) from the Department of Infrastructure.
• Proof of ownership and that you owned and used the vehicle for the required period, for the Personal Import Scheme.
• UK vehicle registration document (V5C).
• Purchase invoice or proof of vehicle value.
• Bill of lading from the shipping company.
• Marine insurance documentation.
• Passport and visa, or proof of migration status.
• Biosecurity cleaning documentation, where applicable.
• Customs declaration and any broker documentation.
• Evidence for any duty concession claimed.

A licensed customs broker is worth using for the customs entry, alongside an experienced shipper to coordinate the move. A single missing or incorrect document is among the most common causes of delay.

Car Quarantine and Biosecurity Inspection in Australia

Biosecurity is a step UK owners often underestimate when importing a car to Australia. Every imported vehicle may be inspected on arrival for contamination, because soil, seeds, insects, plant material, and animal matter can create biosecurity risks.

A vehicle that arrives dirty can be directed for cleaning, delayed at port, or held while further action is arranged. Preparing the car properly before shipment is usually cheaper and less disruptive than dealing with a failed inspection after arrival.

Common biosecurity risk areas include:

• Underbody and chassis: Soil, mud, gravel, and plant material often collect underneath the vehicle, especially around seams, brackets, and exposed metalwork.
• Wheel arches and tyres: Dirt, grass seeds, and organic matter can remain around tyres, wheel wells, mud flaps, and the spare tyre area.
• Engine bay: Leaves, insects, grease, and loose debris can sit around the engine, bonnet latch, radiator area, and other hidden spaces.
• Interior and boot: Food traces, pet hair, plant material, soil from shoes, and loose debris can create inspection issues if the car is not cleaned thoroughly.
• Crevices and storage areas: Door seals, trim gaps, roof racks, tow bars, tool compartments, and spare wheel wells should be checked carefully before shipping.

Personal items should generally be removed before the vehicle is shipped, both for biosecurity and insurance reasons. Gas, LPG systems, aftermarket modifications, and specialist equipment may also need separate checks before export.

Professional pre-export cleaning is the most reliable way to keep the import process on schedule. Experienced shippers can advise on preparation and may arrange cleaning before the vehicle leaves the UK, which is usually more manageable than paying for cleaning, storage, and reinspection after arrival.

Do Imported Cars Need Modifications for Australia?

Imported cars may need modifications before they can be registered in Australia. The requirements depend on the vehicle’s age, import pathway, condition, and whether it needs to meet specific Australian Design Rule or state registration requirements.

UK cars have an advantage because they are right-hand drive, which suits Australian roads. Even so, right-hand drive compatibility does not remove the need for compliance checks, roadworthy inspection, or registration approval in the relevant state or territory.

How Long Does It Take to Ship a Car to Australia?

The sea crossing takes roughly 6 to 12 weeks, but the full process runs longer once approval, preparation, clearance, and registration are added. 

Planning around the full process gives a more realistic timeline than looking only at the sailing duration. This is especially important when the car is moving alongside household goods, because the vehicle and the main shipment may not clear or deliver at exactly the same time.

Stage	Indicative Duration	Notes
Vehicle Import Approval (ROVER)	2 to 8 weeks	Must be obtained before shipping
Pre-shipping preparation and cleaning	1 to 2 weeks	Critical for biosecurity
Sea freight (UK to Australia)	6 to 12 weeks	Varies by port and method
Customs clearance	Days to weeks	Faster with a broker and correct paperwork
Biosecurity inspection	Days to weeks	Longer if cleaning is required
Compliance and state registration	1 to 4 weeks	Varies by state
Total realistic timeframe	3 to 6 months	Plan well ahead; obtain approval early

Begin the import approval process early and do not ship until approval is granted. Depending on how the move is coordinated, the car may arrive before or after your household goods, so if you are shipping both, decide in advance which you want to arrive first.

Questions about shipping your car to Australia? Contact our team for tailored advice.

Is It Worth Importing a Car to Australia?

Importing a car to Australia is worth considering when the vehicle has strong financial, practical, or sentimental value. Classic cars, rare models, specialist vehicles, and well-maintained cars that would be expensive to replace may justify the cost and administration.

For common everyday cars, the decision is less straightforward. Once shipping, duty, GST, biosecurity, compliance, and registration are added, buying a similar vehicle in Australia may be cheaper and simpler.

Importing usually makes sense for:

• Classic, rare, or specialist cars with sentimental or collector value, often irreplaceable at any price.
• Vehicles in excellent condition that would be expensive to replace.
• Cars eligible for duty concessions under the Personal Import Scheme.

Importing usually does not make sense for:

• Common, mass-market cars readily and affordably available in Australia.
• Older high-mileage vehicles whose total import cost exceeds local replacement value.
• Cars needing expensive compliance modifications.

Add the shipping, duty, GST, any Luxury Car Tax, biosecurity, compliance and registration, then compare that total against the local price of an equivalent car. For everyday vehicles, importing is usually not worthwhile.

Importing a Car to Australia from the UK with Simpsons Removals

Importing a car to Australia from the UK can be worthwhile if the vehicle is rare, valuable, difficult to replace, or important to you personally. For an everyday car, the numbers often don’t work once shipping, duty, GST, biosecurity, compliance, and registration are all included.

The first rule is simple: don’t ship before you have import approval. A Vehicle Import Approval needs to be in place before the car leaves the UK, because customs clearance and later registration depend on the vehicle entering Australia under the right pathway.

Cost needs the same level of care. The shipping quote is only one part of the total, so compare the full landed cost with the price of buying a similar car after arrival. If the car is easy to replace in Australia, importing it may add more work than value.

Preparation matters too, especially for biosecurity. A professionally cleaned car is less likely to face avoidable delays at port, and that becomes even more important if the vehicle is travelling in the same container as your household goods.

Simpsons Removals can help coordinate the shipping side of the move, including container options, household goods planning, vehicle preparation, and timing. You’ll still need to confirm import approval, customs, tax, and registration requirements with the relevant Australian authorities, a licensed customs broker, or a vehicle import specialist before the car is shipped.

If you’re still weighing up the decision, start with eligibility and total cost. From there, compare importing with replacing the car after arrival, then choose the option that makes the most sense for your move. For help planning the removals side, request a free removals quote, contact the Simpsons team, or explore international removals to Australia.

Get a free, no-obligation quote for shipping your car and belongings to Australia.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I import any car into Australia?

No. Australia restricts vehicle imports and requires a Vehicle Import Approval before shipping. Most UK emigrants import under the Personal Import Scheme, which requires you to have owned and used the vehicle for at least 12 months before migrating. Other pathways exist for specialist, enthusiast and older vehicles. Importing without prior approval can result in the vehicle being refused entry, re-exported or destroyed at your cost.

How much does it cost to import a car to Australia from the UK?

Sea freight typically costs GBP 1,500 to GBP 3,500 or more. On top of this, expect import duty (usually 5%), GST (10%), possible Luxury Car Tax on high-value cars, marine insurance, biosecurity inspection and cleaning, compliance and state registration. The total often significantly exceeds the shipping cost alone. Always obtain a personalised quote and confirm current duty and tax rates.

Do I have to pay duty on a car imported to Australia?

Yes, in most cases. Import duty is typically 5% of the customs value for passenger vehicles, plus 10% GST calculated on the value, duty and transport costs combined. High-value vehicles above the Luxury Car Tax threshold also attract 33% LCT on the amount above the threshold. Some concessions may apply under the Personal Import Scheme. A licensed customs broker can calculate the exact liability.

What is the cheapest way to ship a car to Australia?

Roll-on roll-off (RoRo) shipping is usually the cheapest method for a car alone, as the vehicle is driven onto a dedicated vessel. However, it offers less protection and cannot carry household goods. If you are emigrating with both your home and car, shipping them together in a container is often more cost-effective overall and offers better protection for the vehicle.

How long does it take to ship a car to Australia?

Sea freight from the UK to Australia takes approximately 6 to 12 weeks. However, the full process, including obtaining import approval, preparation, customs clearance, biosecurity inspection and state registration, realistically takes 3 to 6 months end to end. Obtaining your Vehicle Import Approval early is essential, as the vehicle must not be shipped before approval is granted.

Can I bring my car when I emigrate to Australia?

Yes, many UK emigrants bring their car under the Personal Import Scheme, which requires that you have owned and used the vehicle for at least 12 months before migrating and that you obtain a Vehicle Import Approval before shipping. Right-hand-drive UK cars are compatible with Australian roads, which is an advantage. The vehicle must still pass biosecurity inspection and meet registration requirements.

Do imported cars need modifications for Australia?

Possibly. Imported vehicles may need to meet Australian Design Rules, with requirements varying by vehicle age and import pathway. Under the Personal Import Scheme, some requirements may be reduced, but a state roadworthy or safety inspection is still required for registration. UK cars are right-hand drive, which is compatible with Australia, avoiding the costly conversions that left-hand-drive imports require.

Can I ship my car with my household belongings?

Yes. A car can be shipped inside a container alongside your household goods, with the vehicle secured at the front and belongings packed behind a bulkhead. This consolidates your move into a single shipment and customs process and is often cost-effective for emigrants. The car still requires its own Vehicle Import Approval, and both the vehicle and goods must meet biosecurity standards. Roll-on roll-off shipping cannot carry household goods.