Importing a vehicle from the UK into Australia

If you want to import a vehicle from the UK into Australia let AUTOHUB handle all the logistics for you. We offer a door-to-door fixed price importing service to make shipping a vehicle from the UK to Australia straightforward and stress-free. See how we can help you import a vehicle from the UK into Australia.

AUTOHUB Services

AUTOHUB offers RORO (Roll on, Roll off) shipping from two ports in the UK, predominantly out of Southampton. This is recommended for larger vehicles and boats, or if you prefer this mode of shipping for your vehicle.

Our service includes:

• Shipping from Southampton, UK.
• Photographic Gate-In inspection.
• Steam cleaning of the vehicle.
• Removal of airconditioning gas (if required).
• Testing and removal of asbestos (if required).
• UK and Australian Customs Clearance.
• Quarantine inspection through the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment.

You’ll also get full insurance while the car is in our care. Our package service price includes extensive Transit Insurance Cover. Full cover starts the moment your vehicle is in AUTOHUB’s care and control and stops when we hand the keys to vehicle to you.

Additional AUTOHUB Services

Alongside our AUTOHUB package service, we have several add-on services that we offer to make the task of importing a vehicle to Australia even easier. These include:

UK collection of vehicles for shipping

Vehicles can be either driven directly to the port facility or transported by an appropriate carrier.

UK Value Added Tax (VAT) handling and re-claim

VAT is like a local sales tax, but it differs in that only certain vehicles qualify to have this tax re-claimed if they are exported outside of the Euro-zone (EEC). There are very strict criteria around this process.

AUTOHUB has a contractual arrangement with a VAT registered company within the UK so we can assist with reclaiming VAT for qualifying cars and commercial vehicles. As long as the vehicle and the vendor fit the profile, we can help with VAT reclaim.

Sourcing of suitable vehicles

AUTOHUB has been in the import and export business for a long time and has built up established and trusted relationships around the world including in the UK. One of these relationships is with BUYUKCARS.

BUYUKCARS can help you find suitable cars from reputable sources in the UK with confidence. AUTOHUB can also help you buy vehicles from five major auction chains in the UK and facilitate introductions for Australian buyers to UK vendors.

If you are unsure if a vehicle you’re considering meets the Australian importation criteria, our expert team can provide sound advice and give you peace of mind before you make a purchase.

Compliance requirements in Australia

To import a vehicle into Australia, you need to first apply for approval under the Road Vehicle Standards (RVS) laws for a single road vehicle approval. Most vehicles can be imported through the Register of Approved Vehicles which is a database of vehicles that have met the requirements of the RVS legislation and are approved for provision to the Australian market.

Who can apply for approval under RVS laws:

• Car enthusiasts who want to import specialist or older vehicles.
• People moving to Australia and want to take their car with them.
• Manufacturers or importers of special purpose vehicles.

Please note: You’ll need to apply even if you’re not intending to use the vehicle on public roads, for example, for exhibitions, races, or test vehicles, or if you’re reimporting a vehicle previously approved for use on Australian roads.

To begin the process of importing a vehicle into Australia you will need to complete an online application through their online portal ROVER. Processing of this application can take up to 60 days.

Insurance cover

Customers who choose to import vehicles from the UK to Australia with our D2D package will benefit from comprehensive insurance coverage.

Your car will be covered under Institute Cargo Clause A, which provides cover for all risks associated with loss or damage to the vehicle. It commences from when AUTOHUB takes care and control of your vehicle.

Insurance cover will continue during transit, right until it is delivered to the first nominated local delivery address in Australia.

This insurance covers total loss, collision damage, and fire and theft of non-modified, driveable, road-going vehicles and items only.

You can learn more about our comprehensive insurance cover on our transit insurance for vehicle shipping page.