Country import guide · 🇦🇺 Australia
Importing a Japanese Vehicle
to Australia — Complete Guide.
The usual sequence, the real costs, and the regulatory bodies you actually deal with. Numbers itemized. No hidden margin.
At a glance
- Import duty
- 5.0%
- Consumption tax
- 10.0%
- Age rule
- 25 yr personal
- Compliance
- SEVS
- Drive side
- RHD
All-in landed cost — Nissan Leaf → Australia
$11,958
Itemized below · no hidden lines · currency converts at the listing level
Popular vehicles imported to Australia
Eligibility & compliance pathway
Age rule: Vehicles 25 years or older use the personal-import scheme; under 25 years routes through SEVS where the variant must be on the RAV register.
Pathway: SEVS — Specialist & Enthusiast Vehicle Scheme (RAV entry). SEVS is the under-25-years pathway. The specific model variant must already appear on the RAV register. Above 25 years, the personal-import scheme is the typical route and avoids most RAV cost. State registration sits separately, on top.
Typical cost: Typical RAV entry AU$3,000–8,000 plus compliance-plate work AU$2,000–4,000. Vehicles 25 years or older route through the personal-import scheme instead, which compresses these costs. LCT (Luxury Car Tax) adds 33% on the value above the threshold (~AU$76k–91k depending on fuel type — verify current threshold with the ATO).
Required documents
The standard package for Australia import. Missing any one of these typically holds the cargo at port until it is produced.
- Bill of Lading
- Commercial Invoice
- Japanese Export Certificate (METI deregistration)
- Pre-shipment Inspection Report
- Marine Insurance Certificate
Step by step · the usual sequence
- 01Auction winBid won at a Japanese auction (USS, TAA, JU) or sourced from a dealer-direct match. Payment cleared in JPY.
- 02Export documentationMETI export certificate (deregistration) issued in Japan; commercial invoice and packing list prepared.
- 03Inland to portVehicle transported to Yokohama or Kobe and stored at the exporter's yard.
- 04Vessel boardingLoaded onto RoRo (roll-on / roll-off) or container vessel bound for Port Kembla (NSW).
- 05Ocean transitSea freight in transit. Bill of lading issued at departure; vessel tracked end-to-end.
- 06Port arrival + clearanceVessel berths at Port Kembla (NSW), Port of Melbourne, Port of Fremantle (WA). Australian Border Force (ABF) processes duty and tax assessment; cargo released against the import declaration.
- 07Compliance pathwaySEVS — Specialist & Enthusiast Vehicle Scheme (RAV entry). SEVS is the under-25-years pathway. The specific model variant must already appear on the RAV register. Above 25 years, the personal-import scheme is the typical route and avoids most RAV cost. State registration sits separately, on top.
- 08Registration + on roadState / Territory road authority (Transport for NSW, VicRoads, Main Roads WA, TMR Queensland) issues registration and plates. Typical 4–8 weeks: RAV entry and asbestos screening through the Department of Infrastructure, compliance-plate fit, then state registration. Personal-import vehicles compress this to 3–5 weeks.
Ports of entry typically used for Japan-origin vehicles into Australia: Port Kembla (NSW) · Port of Melbourne · Port of Fremantle (WA) · Port of Brisbane.
Key gotchas · first-timer traps in Australia
- SEVS RAV entry is per-variant — your specific model trim must already be on the register. A model that is RAV-listed in one trim may not be in another.
- LCT (Luxury Car Tax) kicks in above the threshold and can add a third of the excess to the bill. Land Cruiser and Vellfire are the usual targets.
- Asbestos screening is mandatory and has held Japanese vehicles for weeks. Declare brake / gasket history up front; budget for retesting.
Frequently asked · this vehicle, this destination
What does it cost to import a Japanese vehicle to Australia?
Landed cost is the vehicle hammer price plus ocean freight, import duty, consumption tax (VAT or GST), customs clearance, and the WATTSHIP transaction fee. Australia's rate schedule and the typical range are itemized in the breakdown above — every line shown, no hidden margin.
How long does shipping and clearing a Japanese vehicle to Australia take?
Auction-day to keys-in-hand totals 8–14 weeks on most routes: 1–2 weeks inland to Yokohama or Kobe, 3–8 weeks ocean transit, 1–4 weeks port + compliance + registration. Lane and season shift these windows.
What documents are needed to import a Japanese vehicle to Australia?
Standard package: original Japanese export certificate (deregistration), bill of lading, commercial invoice, and any country-specific compliance documents (see the Required Documents checklist above). Vehicles 25 years or older use the personal-import scheme; under 25 years routes through SEVS where the variant must be on the RAV register. The SEVS — Specialist & Enthusiast Vehicle Scheme (RAV entry) pathway sits separately from the document pack.
What is the Luxury Car Tax threshold and when does it apply?
LCT applies above the threshold (around AU$76,000 for standard vehicles and AU$91,000 for fuel-efficient vehicles in 2026 — confirm the current year with the ATO). The 33% rate is levied on the amount above the threshold, not the full price. Hits Land Cruiser variants, Vellfire, and most legend imports hard.
Can I drive my RHD Japanese import the day after clearance?
Not until state registration is issued. Clearance from ABF releases the vehicle for transport, but state rego requires the compliance plate, identity inspection, and number-plate issue. Plan 1–3 weeks for this step depending on state.
Why are some Japanese vehicles held at port for asbestos screening?
Australia bans asbestos in any form. OEM brake pads, gaskets, and exhaust components on older Japanese vehicles can contain trace asbestos. ABF requires a declaration; random testing happens at the importer's cost.