Hello people. I have some questions about importing a Ferrari into Australia. What's the requirements for something like that? Since its going to be RHD already what other compliance issues will I be running into, and at what costs? Who does the compliance for these cars in Australia? What other costs besides the customs/GST/LCT etc are there? And would I have to get a RAWS workshop to import it on my behalf? Also a side question. If a LHD Ferrari is to be imported into Australia, does it need to be converted into RHD? If so how much would something like this cost, approx? Thanks people
It all depends on how you going to importing it. The easiest would be under personal otherwise is pretty much full ADR.
I still havent decided on which model to bring in, as I am unaware of the costs and feasibility of doing so. But its going to be between the 550 or 360 or 355 Thanks
Don't do it unless it's a valuable classic older Ferrari. The economics don't stack up on the modern production cars, the hassle factor is monumental and you will always have a "storied" car that will be hard to flog when you are done. Spend a bit more and buy an Aussie car. The only modern exception that comes to mind is a 355Challenge which is priced very highly in Australia relative to the rest of the world.
If you plan driving it on the road (eastern states anyway, unless its over 30yrs old). Something around $10-20k.
Its really hardly worth the effort unless it's a personal import or something special like 360c mentioned. A RHD conversion is a very big job and an expensive exercise. By the time all the mocking around, you'll swear you should have bought a local car.
So in other words dont even bother with LHD Ferrari. And if I do end up importing a Ferrari, make it a RHD one, specifically a 360CS or a 355C (what about a 550B). Or if its a rare classic model. Is that what everyone agrees on? If so, say I do end up with one of them cars (360CS/355C) How much for compliance? Who does that? and so on. Secondly, what kind of compliance work is to be done on a classic Ferrari (LHD vs RHD), rare or not, and for how much? Thanks again people
forget it, you're wasting your time pay the additional 10-20K and put it down to longer years left in life, it ain't worth the hassle , been there done that. if you're doing this to save money .....
Scott IIRC its near on/impossible to import a car already sold here for road reg? ie a 360 modena/355 etc wouldnt be eligible period?
i dont know....thats why im asking the question! i was under the impression that if a car was sold new here, you cant just import used ones from OS..presumably to protect the local mkt? using the nissan 200sx as an example, you can only import jap versions dated up till they began selling them here. shrug...im sure someone can shed some light
unless its a clssic, forget it, waste of time and effort and money. If you do it a true purist wont buy the car, so your market is limited, look at 60's and early 70's stuff. and dont let anyone convince you that you can drive a LHD newer than 30 years legally on the road, regardless of state or territory, its a national rule. Compliance can be a real issue if you dont do your homework right, there are experts out there who do bring in cars and have the expertise to get compliance, you dont, so dont bother.
The rules have changed the past 12-18mths, what was easy to import to the country afew years back, is now impossible. What [355] says is true, some cars cannot be imported here if they are/were sold locally. What the SA Pres did 5yrs ago to import his 355 may nolonger be valid. Try this site for starters http://rvcs-prodweb.dot.gov.au/ and http://www.imports101.com.au/importing.php?page=9
SEVS is a crock - as is RAWS. If you haven't owned (and used!) the car overseas for a minimum of 12 months don't even begin to think about it. If you do still want to think about it PM me and I'll give you the contact details of someone who will talk you out of it! Following receipt of a letter from the minister he imported a car and spent more than 12 months trying and failing to get it through.
its a long-discussed topic on all the major import car forums. the massively tight regulations brought in were in part to eradicate shonky backyard importers who didnt fit intrusion bars, and spraypainted old cat convertors instead of fitting new ones....amongst other things. only hassle free way to buy an imported (modern at least) car these days is to go thru a dealer with the appropriate SEVS/RAWS compliance, drop your $$ and drive away. the costs incurred by these importers keen to continue trading under SEVS/RAWS was massive....in the realm of tens of thousands for EACH model of car they were wanting to sell!
So it would seem that importing even the rarer models, or the classic models would not be advised, correct? Has anyone here done that before?
Sorry to burst your bubble Goobs, not in WA, i know plenty of people who have 80's Porsche's Yank Barges etc which are LHD and fully reg'd. the only car i know of having trouble being regd (its pre 1989 here WA) is JR and his F40, but i beleive he has his lawyers onto it, because you can register anything imported LHD or RHD here if its pre 1989
But back to topic, Importing is a waste of time unless its 'special' in terms of the model, or 'special' to you (ie: some sentimental reason for wanting it, and money not being an issue). i'm pretty sure ive seen 355's and 360's for sale here that are imported though a grey market way, perhaps you could pick one of those up really cheap?
15 years in WA but trouble for the F40 dude, god knows why !! other HOS have got rego but not an F40 ??!!! gimme a break
took a 360F1 for a drive last month imported from Singapore for $30k under the normal price here and was a gem, fully complianced and registered, done by specialists, so leave it to them
