Shipping Vehicles to Australia: : Complete Guide to Rules, Costs and Process

Picture your car sitting on a wharf in Melbourne, fully paid for, insured and just a short drive from home, and still not allowed to leave. That happens more often than you’d think, and the ship is rarely the reason. So what actually decides whether your vehicle rolls out of the port in days or sits in storage for weeks?

The short answer: paperwork and preparation that happens before it ever leaves the overseas port. Shipping vehicles to Australia involves three government agencies, a strict “approval first, ship second” rule, zero tolerance for asbestos and some of the toughest biosecurity cleanliness checks anywhere. Get the order wrong and you pay storage while you fix it. Get it right and the process is very manageable.

This guide walks you through the whole journey, from checking your car is eligible to registering it in your state. You’ll learn which import pathway fits your situation, how RoRo and container shipping compare, what really drives the cost, how duty, GST and Luxury Car Tax are worked out, and the mistakes that cost importers the most time and money.

To ship a vehicle to Australia, you first get an import approval from the Department of Infrastructure through its ROVER portal. Then you have the car cleaned and checked for asbestos, ship it by RoRo or container, clear customs and biosecurity on arrival, pay duty, GST and any Luxury Car Tax, and finally meet any approval conditions before registering it in your state.

Key takeaways

• Approval comes before shipping. Under the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018 it is an offence to import a road vehicle without approval, and the Australian Border Force (ABF) will not release a car that arrives without one.
• Your pathway decides almost everything. Older vehicles (more than 25 years old), Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicles, personal effects vehicles and reimported vehicles each follow different rules.
• Clean means spotless. Used vehicles get a full internal and external biosecurity inspection, and contamination is fixed at your expense.
• Asbestos is your responsibility. A signed “asbestos-free” declaration is not evidence on its own.
• Cost is shipment-specific. Freight is only one line in your landed cost; taxes, port charges, inspection, storage and compliance work all add to it.
• Registration is a state decision. An import approval does not guarantee your state will register the vehicle, especially if it is left-hand drive.

Who Is Involved When You Ship a Car to Australia?

Shipping a car to Australia is not just a booking with a shipping line. Three Australian Government agencies each control one part of the process, and your vehicle needs a green light from all of them.

After those three, your state or territory registration authority decides whether the car can go on the road. It sets its own rules, and it is not bound by the Commonwealth approval.

Step 1: Check Which Import Pathway Fits Your Vehicle

Before you look at a single shipping quote, confirm your car can actually be imported. The Department of Infrastructure explains that most single vehicles come in through a concessional RAV entry approval, a non-RAV entry approval or a reimportation approval. Each has its own eligibility criteria.

A newer car that was sold new in Australia in the same specification usually does not qualify as an enthusiast import. That is exactly why buying overseas before checking eligibility is the most expensive mistake on this list. For a deeper look at each pathway, read our guide on how to import a motor vehicle to Australia.

Step 2: Get Your Vehicle Import Approval Before Anything Ships

Every road vehicle needs an import approval, regardless of its value. According to the Department of Infrastructure, “it is an offence to import a road vehicle into Australia without approval”, and applications are made only through ROVER, the department’s online portal.

Here is how the application works in practice:

1. Create and verify a ROVER account. You’ll need to prove your identity, and the department notes verification can take a couple of weeks.
2. Choose the right application type. Most private importers use the Single Road Vehicle option.
3. Upload your evidence. Build-date proof (for older vehicles), photos of the VIN or chassis number, ownership records and details of any modifications.
4. Pay the application fee. Applications are not assessed until the fee is paid. Check the current fee on the department’s website.
5. Wait for the decision. The department says assessment may take up to 60 business days, so start early.

The ABF is blunt about what happens if you jump ahead: a car that arrives before approval is not released, storage and other charges build up, and you may be required to export or destroy the vehicle at your own expense.

Tip: Check the VIN on your application against the car itself, character by character. A mismatch between the approval, the shipping documents and the vehicle is one of the fastest ways to stall a clearance.

Step 3: Rule Out Asbestos Before the Car Leaves

Australia bans all types of asbestos, and the ABF enforces that ban at the border. The rule applies to private and commercial imports alike, and it applies even when the country of origin has its own asbestos ban, because some vehicle parts and components can still contain it.

According to the Australian Border Force, the importer is responsible for making sure the vehicle contains no asbestos. Older vehicles deserve the closest look, particularly brake and clutch components, gaskets and heat shielding.

Three points catch people out:

• A declaration is not evidence. The ABF states that an asbestos-free declaration “on its own is not considered evidence”, whether it comes from you, the manufacturer or a supplier.
• Fix it before shipping. Any asbestos content must be dealt with before the vehicle is shipped to Australia, not at the wharf.
• Testing at the border costs you. If the ABF judges the car a risk and you cannot give adequate assurance, it can be held for sampling and testing, and you carry the costs and the delay.

If you are importing an older vehicle, budget for a pre-shipment assessment by a qualified specialist and keep the paperwork with your shipping documents. Our customs and quarantine clearance team can tell you what evidence the ABF is likely to expect for your vehicle.

Step 4: Prepare the Vehicle for Australian Biosecurity

Australia’s biosecurity system exists to keep out soil, seeds, insects and plant material that could harm local agriculture. DAFF says it is the importer’s responsibility to make sure the vehicle is clean and free of biosecurity risk before it arrives.

How clean is clean enough?

Think professional steam clean, not car wash. DAFF points to wheels, mudguards, the underside, the engine bay and window seals on the outside, and storage compartments, under the seats and vents on the inside. You’ll also need to supply the keys so officers can open every compartment.

What inspection to expect

• New vehicles get an external inspection on arrival.
• Used vehicles get a full external and internal inspection on arrival, unless they were processed by a recognised offshore cleaning and pre-inspection provider, which can reduce the inspection level.
• If contamination is found, the options at your expense may include cleaning, fumigation, export or destruction.

Brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) season

Vehicles fall within the goods DAFF classes as target high risk for BMSB, which means mandatory treatment when they come from a target risk country during the season. Under DAFF’s BMSB seasonal measures, the measures apply to targeted goods shipped between 1 September and 30 April (inclusive), and the shipped-on-board date on the ocean bill of lading is the date that counts.

The United States, Canada and much of Europe are on the target risk list. The United Kingdom, China, Japan and the Republic of Korea are listed as emerging risk countries, where goods may be selected for random inspection. RoRo vessels that have called at target risk ports, or ports in China, Japan or Korea, also face heightened vessel surveillance. How treatment is handled differs between containerised cargo (directed for onshore treatment if it arrives untreated) and break bulk (which must be treated offshore before arrival). The lists, dates and treatment options are reviewed each season, so confirm the current measures with your forwarder before you book.

Air-conditioning gas

The ABF notes that a vehicle with an air-conditioner might need an import licence for ozone depleting substances and synthetic greenhouse gases. Before shipping, find out the type and quantity of gas in the system. The Department of Infrastructure’s own checklist says to remove the gas before shipping where necessary.

Step 5: Choose How to Ship – RoRo or Container

Once your approval is in hand and the car is prepared, you can book the freight. There are two main methods for shipping vehicles to Australia.

Roll-on/roll-off (RoRo). Your car is driven onto a purpose-built vehicle carrier at the origin port and driven off in Australia. It suits standard, running vehicles on routes with regular RoRo services. Most RoRo carriers require the car to be empty of personal belongings, apart from standard items such as the spare wheel and jack.

Container shipping. Your car is loaded and secured inside a steel container, either on its own (sole use) or shared with other vehicles. It suits high-value or classic cars, vehicles that don’t run, and people moving house who want to ship household goods with the car (declared, and still subject to inspection).

Neither option is “best” in general. The right one depends on your car’s value and condition, your route and how quickly you need it. Our explainer on RoRo shipping to Australia goes deeper into how vehicle carriers work, and our guide to LCL vs FCL shipping explains the shared-versus-sole-use trade-off for containers.

What Drives the Cost of Shipping Vehicles to Australia?

The cost of shipping vehicles to Australia is set per shipment rather than by a standard rate. What you pay depends on your origin port and route, the shipping method, your vehicle’s size and value, the season and carrier capacity at the time of booking, and the taxes and charges that apply once it lands. Freight is usually just one part of the final bill.

The ABF lists the cost categories you should expect when importing a vehicle. Here is what moves each one:

The biggest swings usually come from three places: the pathway (a SEVs car needing RAW work costs far more to bring to the road than an older vehicle), the car’s value (which drives duty, GST and possibly LCT), and avoidable delays that turn into storage.

Important: Freight, port and inspection costs change with market conditions and carrier capacity, and taxes depend on your vehicle’s value and origin. Treat everything in this section as an explanation of the drivers, not a price. A shipment-specific quote is the only accurate figure for your car.

When you compare quotes, ask each provider which of the lines above are included. A quote that covers ocean freight only can look much cheaper than one that covers the car all the way to your driveway.

How Duty, GST and Luxury Car Tax Are Calculated

Government charges are paid to the ABF as part of customs clearance, and the car is not released until they are paid. You don’t have to calculate them yourself, because the ABF issues an Outstanding Payment Advice once your import declaration is processed. Understanding how they stack up, though, helps you budget before you buy.

Customs duty

Duty is charged on the vehicle’s customs value at the rate set by its tariff classification in Chapter 87 of the Customs Tariff. Most passenger motor vehicle classifications carry a 5% general rate in the ABF’s current tariff, but preferential rates under Australia’s free trade agreements can reduce this, including to free, for vehicles that meet the rules of origin. Agreements with the United States, Japan, the United Kingdom, Korea and Thailand are among those in force. Our guide to free trade agreements for Australian importers explains how to claim a preferential rate.

GST

According to the ATO, GST is 10% of the value of the taxable importation, which adds together:

1. the customs value of the car
2. any customs duty payable
3.  the cost of transporting it to Australia
4.  the cost of insuring it for that transport.

In other words, you pay GST on the freight and insurance as well as the car. Private importers pay it too, whether or not they are registered for GST.

Luxury Car Tax (LCT)

The ABF explains that LCT applies to cars designed to carry a load of less than two tonnes and fewer than nine passengers, when their value is above the LCT threshold, and that it is imposed at 33% on the amount above that threshold. For an imported car, the ATO uses this formula:

(LCT value − LCT threshold) × 10 ÷ 11 × 33%

The LCT value of an imported car includes its customs value, international transport and insurance not already counted, customs duty, and GST.

Two things surprise many importers:

•  Age alone doesn’t exempt a car. The ATO’s own worked example applies LCT to an imported 1970s classic.
• The thresholds change every financial year. There is a standard threshold and a higher one for fuel-efficient cars. From 1 July 2025, a car counts as fuel-efficient only if its fuel consumption does not exceed 3.5 litres per 100 kilometres. Check the current thresholds on the ATO or ABF website before you buy.

For how duty is worked out on other goods, see our resource on understanding duty calculation.

The order of the calculation

Because each charge builds on the one before, the order matters:

1. Customs value is converted into Australian dollars.
2. Duty is calculated on the customs value.
3. GST is calculated on the value of the taxable importation (customs value + duty + transport + insurance).
4. LCT, if it applies, is calculated on the LCT value (which includes the GST) above the threshold.

Documents You’ll Need to Import a Car

Missing paperwork is one of the most common reasons a vehicle sits at the port, and it is the easiest part of shipping vehicles to Australia to get right. Have these ready before the car sails:

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

There is no single answer, because the voyage is only part of the journey. Your total timeline depends on the import approval assessment, the route and whether it is direct or transhipped, RoRo sailing frequency or how quickly a shared container fills, BMSB treatment in season, how clean the car arrives and how quickly any compliance work and registration can be completed.

The fastest imports are the ones where the approval is granted early and nothing has to be fixed on arrival. If your car comes from the United States, our guide to shipping from the USA to Australia covers that route in more detail.

Step 6: Clearing Customs and Biosecurity on Arrival

Once the car is in transit, an import declaration is lodged with the ABF and a biosecurity entry is lodged with DAFF. Your customs broker usually handles both. On arrival:

1. The ABF checks the declaration, the import approval and any asbestos evidence.
2. You pay duty, GST and any LCT.
3. DAFF inspects the vehicle. You or your broker may need to arrange the appointment.
4. If DAFF finds contamination, the car is directed for cleaning or treatment before release.
5. Once both agencies are satisfied, the car is released and can be collected from the terminal or depot.

You can read more about what happens during an inspection in our guide to the customs inspection process in Australia.

Step 7: Compliance, RAV Entry and Registration

Release from the port doesn’t mean you can drive home. Depending on your pathway, you may need to:

• Meet approval conditions, such as marking an allocated VIN on the vehicle.
• Have a RAW complete modifications (SEVs vehicles) before the car is entered on the Register of Approved Vehicles.
• Confirm the car appears on the RAV before presenting it for registration. The RAV replaced the old compliance plate system.
• Pass your state’s inspection and meet its registration and insurance rules.

Many importers use interstate transport to move an unregistered car from the port to a workshop, or to another state.

Importing Classic, Used and Left-Hand-Drive Vehicles

Older vehicles: the 25-year pathway

Since the RVS laws took effect on 1 July 2021, the older vehicle pathway has given enthusiasts a wider choice. Your vehicle must have been built, or significantly modified, more than 25 years ago. The department assumes December of the build year if the month isn’t known. Anyone can apply, and an agent can apply for you.

SEVs Register vehicles

Newer used vehicles generally need to be on the SEVs Register and modified by a RAW. The RAW does the work needed to meet Australian standards before the car goes on the RAV, and charges for that work. Get a RAW’s assessment of your specific vehicle before you buy.

Left-hand-drive vehicles

An approval doesn’t guarantee registration, and the department specifically flags left-hand-drive vehicles as a reason to check with your state or territory registration authority before you import. Rules on which left-hand-drive vehicles can be registered, and on what terms, differ between states. Some limit them to older vehicles or to conditional and club registration schemes. Check with your state authority first.

Common Mistakes When Shipping Vehicles to Australia

1. Buying before checking eligibility. A car that was sold new in Australia, or one that isn’t on the SEVs Register, may simply not be importable under an enthusiast pathway.
2. Shipping before approval. The ABF won’t release the car, and storage builds up while you wait.
3. Treating asbestos as a paperwork exercise. A declaration without evidence won’t satisfy the ABF.
4. Underestimating the clean. A quick wash won’t pass a full internal and external inspection.
5. Ignoring BMSB dates. The shipped-on-board date, not the date the car reached the terminal, decides whether seasonal measures apply.
6. Leaving belongings in a RoRo car. Most RoRo carriers won’t accept a car with personal effects inside.
7. Under-declaring the value. Customs value drives duty, GST and LCT, and false declarations carry serious penalties.
8.  Comparing quotes that cover different things. A freight-only price leaves port, inspection, storage and tax costs out of the picture.
9.  Assuming registration is automatic. Your state has the final say.

Worked Example: A 1990s Pickup From California to Melbourne

This is a hypothetical scenario to show how the rules interact. It is not a real customer shipment.

Say you’ve found a left-hand-drive American pickup built in the early 1990s, and you want to ship it from Los Angeles to Melbourne in November.

• Pathway: It was built more than 25 years ago, so you apply for an older vehicle approval in ROVER, providing build-date evidence and VIN photos. Nothing ships until the approval arrives.
• Asbestos: An older vehicle with original brake and clutch parts is a higher risk, so you arrange a pre-shipment assessment and keep the records.
• BMSB: The United States is a target risk country, vehicles are target high risk goods and November falls inside the season, so the car needs treatment by an approved provider. You also confirm how the carrier’s service is classed, because that decides whether treatment must happen offshore.
• Shipping method: A RoRo service may suit a running pickup. A container may make more sense if it doesn’t run or you want extra protection.
• Taxes: Duty depends on its tariff classification and whether you can claim a preferential rate under the Australia–United States FTA with proof of origin. GST applies on the car plus duty, freight and insurance. LCT applies only if its LCT value is above the threshold.
• Registration: Before buying, you check Victoria’s rules for left-hand-drive vehicles and older-vehicle registration options.

None of these steps involves a fixed price, which is why the quote stage matters so much. Every line depends on this particular truck, this route and this sailing.

Choosing a Vehicle Shipping and Customs Partner

You don’t need a broker to import a car, but most people use one because the process involves several agencies with strict timing. When you compare providers, look for:

• Experience with Australian vehicle imports, including ROVER, asbestos and BMSB requirements.
• Licensed customs brokerage, so your import declaration, duty, GST and LCT are handled correctly.
• End-to-end coordination from the overseas port to your door, a workshop or another state.
• Transparent quotes that show which costs are included, from freight and insurance to port charges and inspection.

Omega Cargo manages customs and quarantine clearance for commercial and personal shipments into Australia, along with sea freight and domestic transport. If you’d like your vehicle’s pathway, paperwork and landed cost checked before you commit, our team can talk you through it.

Frequently Asked Questions About Shipping Vehicles to Australia

Can I ship personal items inside my car to Australia?

Usually only in a container. Most RoRo carriers require the car to be empty apart from standard items like the spare wheel and jack. In a container, household goods can travel with the car if the carrier allows it, but everything must be declared and is subject to biosecurity inspection, which can add time at the border.

Do I need approval before shipping a car to Australia?

Yes. Under the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018, importing a road vehicle without approval is an offence. You apply through the Department of Infrastructure’s ROVER portal, and the ABF will not release a car that arrives without approval. Storage and other charges then build up at your cost.

What is the 25-year rule for importing cars to Australia?

The older vehicle pathway lets you import a vehicle built, or significantly modified, more than 25 years ago through a concessional RAV entry approval. It covers passenger cars, vans, motorcycles and light commercial vehicles. Approval lets you import the car, but registration still depends on your state’s rules.

How much import duty will I pay on a car?

Duty depends on your vehicle’s tariff classification and origin. Most passenger vehicle classifications carry a 5% general rate on the customs value, but free trade agreements can reduce it, including to free, for vehicles that meet the rules of origin. GST of 10% then applies on the value of the taxable importation.

Does Luxury Car Tax apply to imported classic cars?

It can. LCT is based on the car’s value, not its age. If an imported car’s LCT value is above the threshold, LCT of 33% applies to the amount above it, worked out with the ATO’s import formula. The ATO’s own example applies LCT to an imported 1970s classic.

Can I bring my own car when I move to Australia?

Possibly, under the personal effects pathway. It is for migrants settling in Australia and Australians returning permanently after time overseas. The applicant must own the vehicle, and ownership and use criteria apply. Check the Department of Infrastructure’s personal effects overview before you ship.

Do I really need to clean my car before shipping?

Yes. Used vehicles get a full internal and external biosecurity inspection, and any soil, seeds, insects or plant material must be dealt with at your expense. Options include cleaning, fumigation, export or destruction. A professional clean before shipping, covering the underside, engine bay and interior, is the best way to avoid delays.

When does BMSB season apply to vehicle imports?

DAFF’s seasonal measures apply to target goods, including vehicles, shipped from target risk countries between 1 September and 30 April inclusive, based on the shipped-on-board date on the bill of lading. Vehicles are target high risk goods, so treatment is mandatory. DAFF reviews the countries and measures each season.

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

It depends on the approval assessment, your route, sailing frequency, BMSB treatment, clearance and any compliance work. The Department of Infrastructure says approval assessment alone may take up to 60 business days. Plan the whole journey, from application to registration, rather than just the voyage.

Is RoRo or container shipping better for a car?

RoRo often suits a standard running car on a route with regular vehicle carrier sailings. Containers suit high-value, classic or non-running vehicles, or when you’re shipping household goods with the car. Compare total landed cost and protection, not just the freight line.

Can I import a car with asbestos parts if I replace them later?

No. Australia prohibits importing goods that contain asbestos, and the ABF says any asbestos content must be addressed before the vehicle is shipped. If the ABF suspects asbestos, it can hold the car for sampling and testing at your cost. Replace at-risk parts and keep the evidence before the car sails.

Ready to Ship Your Vehicle to Australia?

Shipping vehicles to Australia is a sequence: approval, preparation, shipping, clearance, compliance and registration. Most of the cost and delay comes from steps done in the wrong order or skipped entirely. If you’d like someone to check your vehicle’s pathway, documents and the charges likely to apply before you buy or book, our team can help.

Request a shipment-specific vehicle import quote. Tell us the vehicle, where it is now and where it needs to go in Australia, and have the VIN, build date and purchase details handy.

Import rules, tax thresholds and biosecurity measures are set by the Australian Government and change over time. Always confirm current requirements with the relevant agency or a licensed customs broker before you buy or ship a vehicle.