Different Ways To Ship Cars
When it comes to shipping your car internationally, several methods are commonly employed, each with its own advantages:
- Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) Shipping: RoRo shipping involves driving vehicles onto and off specially designed vessels. It’s often a cost-effective solution for standard-sized vehicles that are in operational condition.
- Container Shipping: Your car can be secured inside a shipping container, typically a 20-foot or 40-foot container. This method offers added protection from the elements and other cargo. It can also be a preferred option for high-value or non-operable vehicles. Several cars can sometimes be consolidated into a single container to optimise costs.
The best method for you will depend on factors such as the type of vehicle, its condition, your budget, and the origin and destination.
How Long Does It Take To Import A Car?
Understanding the approximate transit time is crucial for planning your international car shipment. Please note that these are rough estimates and can be influenced by various factors such as the specific ports involved, shipping line schedules, customs processes, and weather conditions:
- From Europe to Australia: Expect transit times to generally range from 6 to 10 weeks. Major European ports like those in Germany, the UK, and the Netherlands are common departure points.
- From the USA to Australia: Transit times from the USA typically fall within the range of 4 to 8 weeks. Departure ports on the East Coast and West Coast will have varying transit durations.
It’s always best to get a specific transit time estimate based on your exact shipping details when you request a quote.
Things To Consider When Importing A Car
Importing a car involves more than just the shipping itself. Here are some important aspects to consider:
- Import Regulations and Compliance: Each country has its own set of rules and regulations regarding vehicle imports. This can include vehicle standards, emissions requirements, quarantine inspections, and necessary documentation. It’s crucial to research and understand the specific regulations of Australia to ensure a smooth import process.
- Documentation: You will typically need to provide various documents, such as the vehicle’s registration, ownership papers, your passport or identification, and potentially import permits. Ensuring you have all the necessary paperwork correctly completed is essential to avoid delays.
- Customs and Duties: Importing a car will likely involve paying customs duties, taxes, and other fees as determined by Australian customs authorities. These costs can vary depending on the vehicle’s value, age, and origin.
- Marine Insurance: While shipping lines take precautions to ensure the safe transport of your vehicle, unforeseen circumstances can occur. Obtaining marine insurance provides financial protection against potential damage or loss during transit.
- Quarantine and Biosecurity: Australia has strict biosecurity measures to prevent the introduction of pests and diseases. Your vehicle will likely be subject to inspection upon arrival and may require cleaning or treatment.
- Destination Handling and Transportation: Once your car arrives in Australia, you’ll need to arrange for its collection from the port and any onward transportation to its final destination.
How Much Does International Car Shipping Cost?
The cost of international car shipping is influenced by several factors, making it difficult to provide a precise figure without specific details. Key elements that affect the price include:
- Shipping Method: RoRo and container shipping have different pricing structures.
- Vehicle Size and Weight: Larger and heavier vehicles generally incur higher shipping costs.
- Origin and Destination Ports: Shipping routes and distances play a significant role in pricing.
- Additional Services: Costs for insurance, customs clearance, and inland transportation will add to the overall expense.
To obtain a tailored and accurate quotation for your international car shipping needs, please provide us with details about your vehicle, its origin, and your desired destination in Australia. Our team will be happy to assess your requirements and provide you with a comprehensive cost estimate.
Why choose Clarke global
Established in 1917, Clarke Global Logistics is a reputable Australian Customs Broker and Freight Forwarder; offering a totally integrated trade service both locally and globally, encompassing international freight forwarding, customs brokerage, third party logistics and warehousing.
Located in Melbourne, Australia, the professional team of Clarke Global Logistics has acquired a wealth of collective knowledge in providing customised solutions to a wide array of industries, and is supported by industry trained transport, logistics and administration personnel.
Professional service based on a foundation of over 100 years in servicing importers and exporters.
One contact for all your global shipping and airfreight supply chain logistics.
Friendly and personalised service; We have built long-standing relationships with clients over many decades.
We facilitate the entire service – from freight forwarding to export logistics, Customs Clearance, transportation and warehousing storage.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, obtaining a Vehicle Import Approval (VIA) from the Department of Infrastructure is the single most critical step. You should never ship your vehicle until you have this approval in hand, as vehicles that arrive without one may be denied entry, resulting in significant storage costs or even re-exportation.
Australia has some of the strictest biosecurity laws in the world. Your vehicle must be thoroughly steam-cleaned and vacuumed internally and externally before shipment to ensure it is free of soil, seeds, and organic matter. Any contamination found by Department of Agriculture officers upon arrival will lead to mandatory cleaning delays and additional fees.
This depends on the shipping method you choose. If using Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo), vehicles must generally be empty of all personal effects. However, if you choose container shipping, you can often include personal items or spare parts within the vehicle, provided they are properly manifested and declared for customs and quarantine purposes.
Luxury Car Tax (LCT) applies to vehicles with a GST-inclusive value above a certain threshold (which is updated annually by the ATO). If your imported vehicle—including the cost of shipping and insurance—exceeds this limit, LCT may be applicable. Our team can help you calculate the potential tax obligations based on the current financial year’s rates.
Yes, the Australian Border Force has a “zero tolerance” policy for asbestos. If your vehicle was manufactured before the early 2000s, you may need to provide certification or testing results ensuring that components like brake pads, gaskets, and seals are asbestos-free before it can be cleared for entry.
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About Clarke Global
Established in 1917, Clarke Global Logistics is a reputable Australian Customs Broker and freight forwarder; offering a totally integrated trade service both locally and globally
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Import and Export Services in Australia
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