Importing Vehicles to Australia

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http://www.dotars.gov.au/transreg/vsb/vsb_10_downloads.aspx

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CHANGES TO IMPORT ARRANGEMENTS – OLDER (USED) CLASSIC OR HISTORIC VEHICLES
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1) What changes have been made?
The Government has replaced the "15-year-old" scheme with a new exemption for hobby and recreational vehicles. This change which was announced on 7 February 2005 came into effect on 13 May 2005.

Similar to the 15-year-old scheme, the new scheme provides older vehicles with an exemption from Australian safety and emission standards. Vehicles are cleared for import, without the need to comply with the ADRs.

Hobby vehicles traditionally perform low mileages and are imported in limited numbers. These vehicles therefore represent a minimal risk to overall Australian safety and emission goals.

2) Will older vehicles still be available for import?
Yes. The ability of enthusiasts to obtain hobby and recreational vehicles has been preserved. The purpose of the exemption is to allow the importation of enthusiast (i.e. classic or historic) vehicles, destined for restoration and hobby use. An exemption is provided, as individuals may find it uneconomic to import these single, one-off vehicles under established certification mechanisms.

Traditionally, popular models have included the Ford Mustang, the Chevrolet Corvette, the Porsche 911, the Chevrolet BelAir and the Chevrolet Camaro. These models have centred around vintages from the 1960s and 1950s.  Many other classic models have also been imported under the scheme. These types of vehicles are catered for under the new exemption.

3) What is the new exemption?
The new exemption allows the import (without restriction) of all vehicles manufactured before 1 January 1989.  

By nominating a specific date, the "buffer" period (between hobby vehicles and mainstream vehicles) will be gradually extended over time – up to a maximum of 30 years. This legislative change generally preserves previous arrangements.  1988 (and earlier) model vehicles will continue to be available under the exemption. The changeover to the 30 years has been introduced gradually, to allow importers and owners time to react to the revised focus of the exemption.

In addition, a transitional arrangement applies.  This arrangement applies to importers who made a financial commitment on a vehicle before 7 February
2005.  The 15-year-old scheme will continue to apply for these vehicles, until
31 December 2005. That is, the transition applies to vehicles manufactured up to the end of 1990. The purpose of the exemption is to provide a gradual changeover.
For those vehicles manufactured on or after 1 January 1989, and that are not covered under the transitional arrangements, importers will need to have their vehicles certified (as complying with the ADRs) under the Department's Registered Automotive Workshop Scheme (RAWS).

4) Why did the Government make these changes?
The changeover to the new scheme will reinforce Australia's vehicle safety and emission standards. The 15-year-old scheme had been used to import regular, mainstream vehicles in commercial quantities. These vehicles did not fit the "classic and historic" profile. In particular, these mainstream vehicles were previously imported through normal channels, and had been checked to ensure that they were compliant with the standards. However, under the 15-year-old scheme, they by-passed compliance with the Australian standards.   By changing to the new scheme, the Australian community will retain the certainty and confidence of a certification system (for safety and emission standards).  The changeover will also ensure that vehicles supplied to the same market are subject to the same regulatory environment. Under the previous scheme, the same vehicles were supplied by two parallel systems (one based on compliance, one unregulated).

Many commercial importers had been placed at a commercial disadvantage, and were leaving the industry. Imports of under-15-year-old specialist and enthusiast vehicles had dramatically declined.

The new scheme will reduce cost pressures on mainstream businesses, and promote the import of specialist vehicles of all ages. The Government's intent is to provide a level playing field. Vehicles – intended for supply to the same market – will be subject to the same standards.

5) What is the transitional arrangement?
The transitional arrangement applies to importers who made a financial commitment on a vehicle before 7 February 2005. This arrangement covers those importers (agents and owners) who purchased vehicles and stored them temporarily overseas – awaiting the time they qualify under the 15-year-old rule.
These importers do not need to dispose of the vehicle.

The 15-year-old scheme will continue to apply for these vehicles, until 31 December 2005. That is, the transition applies to vehicles manufactured on or before 31 December 1990.

6) How long does the transitional arrangement last?
Import applications need to be lodged with the Department on or before
31 December 2005.  Applications may only cover vehicles manufactured on or before 31 December 1990.

7) What evidence will be required for the transitional arrangement?
Evidence that the importer made a financial commitment. This includes purchasing the vehicle, or otherwise taking an equity interest in the vehicle, before 7 February 2005. Satisfactory evidence would include an invoice or receipt clearly identifying the vehicle.

8) Will the transitional arrangement still be based on the month of manufacture?
Yes. These features of the previous (15-year-old) scheme apply equally to the transitional arrangement. The vehicle must be 15 (or more) years old when making the application.

9) Will RAWs be able to plate vehicles more than 15 years old?
Yes. Vehicles manufactured on or after 1 January 1989, and entered on the Register of Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicles, may be handled and certified by Registered Automotive Workshops (RAWs).

10) What has happened to pre-existing older vehicle approvals?
Pre-existing approvals continue to apply. Once approved, the vehicle is cleared for entry into Australia.

11) What did the Government have regard to, when making its decision?
In deciding to replace the 15-year-old scheme, the Government assessed the performance of the scheme against its goals. In particular, the objective of the scheme was twofold:

1. to promote the availability of hobby and recreational enthusiast vehicles within
Australia. Their restoration, display and use (eg, in social events, such as rallies) is a recognised and long-standing recreational activity within Australia; and

2. to also support the wider goals of safer roads and cleaner air. For example, vehicle standards are generally recognised as contributing towards Australia's National Road Safety Strategy 2001-2010. The strategy target is to save 3,600 lives by 2010 and to permanently reduce annual road deaths by 700.

The Government considered the impact of the 15-year-old scheme on the industry and on the Australian community, and also considered submissions received from stakeholders. The Government concluded that – while the scheme successfully achieved the first objective – it failed the second objective. In particular, the scheme had created arbitrary and artificial distortions within Australia's motor vehicle industry.

12) What consultation process was used?
In January 2004, the Department distributed a discussion paper, outlining the proposed change and seeking comment. The paper was formally distributed to a wide range of stakeholders. Since the release of the discussion paper, DOTARS has received responses from stakeholders – some 737 submissions in total – from State and Territory Governments, industry peak bodies, members of industry, and individual importers and owners.

13) When were the Regulations amended?
Amendments to the Motor Vehicle Standards Regulations 1989, implementing the change, were entered on the register on the 12 May 2005.

14) Where can I obtain a copy of the Regulation Impact Statement?
The Regulation Impact Statement can be found on the Department's website http://www.dotars.gov.au/transreg/vsb/RIS_15yo_vehicles.doc

15) Where can I get information on RAWS?
Information can be found on the RAWS website at www.dotars.gov.au/raws . This site contains links to general information about RAWS, guides to RAWS, relevant legislation and a search facility.

If you cannot access the internet, you can call the RAWS team (02 6274 7297); they will provide you with a hard copy of the information.

16) Where do I get information on vehicles entered on the Register of Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicles?
Information regarding the Register is available from the RVCS website at http://rvcs-prodweb.dot.gov.au . The website provides a list of vehicles that are SEVS eligible, and also a list of vehicles that have been ruled as not SEVS eligible.

17) What if the vehicle I want to import was manufactured after 1 January 1989 and is not SEVS eligible?
You will not be allowed to import the vehicle under the RAW Scheme.
For further information please contact the Department of Transport and Regional Services.

Phone: Esther McLauchlan 6274 7376
Email: Esther.McLauchlan@dotars.gov.au