ausmini
https://www.ausmini.com/forums/

Importing a Mini. A basic overview.
https://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=90056
Page 1 of 1

Author:  ozcooper [ Fri Jul 24, 2015 9:14 pm ]
Post subject:  Importing a Mini. A basic overview.

I've been getting a few email and calls recently regarding importing a Mini and some of the callers are quoting information they are reading on the Ausmini forum. As we have been doing this for almost 20 years I thought I'd chime in here with some info that might be of use.

This information is for current imports, although some may be relevant for those imported in years gone by.

There are really 3 ways to import a Mini -

Personally Imported - https://infrastructure.gov.au/vehicles/ ... s/pis.aspx

Pre 1989 Import - https://infrastructure.gov.au/vehicles/ ... cheme.aspx

SEVS through a RAW - https://infrastructure.gov.au/vehicles/ ... /raws.aspx

I hear of people who claim to have a 'Personally Imported Mini' simply because they imported it personally. Unless you meet the relatively strict rules, you won't be issued with an Import Approval (IA) which will be clearly marked 'Personal Import'.
Personal Imports are required to meet the registration requirements of the State they are to be registered in. Upon presentation to an authorised inspection station (AUVIS in NSW) the vehicle will be checked by the examiner and only needs to meet a basic set of rules. This can, and does differ from State to State, and is open to an examiners interpretations of the rules which creates confusion between vehicle owner, examiner and rego authority. The page of the IA that authorises the Personally Imported Plate (issued by Niddrie Nameplates) will be signed and sent to them to get the plate (now a sticker). Although commonly called a compliance plate it is actually a sticker and will be yellow in colour.

Pre 1989 import is just that - only a vehicle made prior to 01/01/1989 is eligible. As with a Personally Imported Vehicle, a pre 89 import is required to meet the registration requirements of the State they are to be registered in. In NSW they will be checked under VSCCS - http://www.rms.nsw.gov.au/business-indu ... ers/vsccs/
Here is a list of the Second Edition Australian Design Rules - http://ozcooper.com.au/wp-content/uploa ... 072015.jpg
The car will be checked for compliance to NCOP under VSB14 -https://infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/vsb_ncop.aspx
and this includes the following checklist - https://infrastructure.gov.au/roads/vehicle_regulation/bulletin/pdf/NCOP10D_LO-2_Second_Ed_ADR_Checklist_V2.0_01Jan2011.pdf
These vehicles will not be fitted with a compliance plate of any sort and will retain the original manufacturer VIN issued when the car was built. This VIN will be used at the time the IA is issued to identify the year of manufacturer and the vehicle will have to meet the rules for that year. IE a 1982 model needs only to meet the rules for 1982.

Lastly we have Rover Mini's Imported under SEVS. Unlike Personally Imported Vehicles and Pre 89 Imports, only the RAW will be issued with the IA. The car will be modified to meet an approved set of modifications authorised by Dept. Of Infrastructure and Regional Development. As these modifications are done to meet Federal Govt. Regulations, completed cars can be registered in any Australian State or Territory with no additional modifications necessary. This is a heavily regulated system and involves all sorts of checks and balances. We have done over 100, 1996 (MY97) to 2000 model Minis under SEVS. We are required to have on hand evidence the Mini meets every one of the relevant ADR's including, but not limited to, lighting, seatbelts, emissions, and full frontal occupant protection. These vehicles will be issued with an Used Import Plate (sticker) which is red in colour. After the plate is fitted we provide the client with all the documents needed to enable registration. We do get calls every now and again from some Registration depot questioning the paperwork as they don't actually know the rules, however these are becoming rarer as time goes by.

There are other vehicles that were imported prior to the introduction of SEVS. Many came in under the Low Volume Import Scheme. This scheme gave blanket approval to certain models and many modifications were open to all sorts of questionable workmanship. These cars will be issued with a green plate (not sticker). Although there were many good cars 'complied' under this scheme, there were just as many bad ones and a buyer of these really needs to check these cars thoroughly.

Prior to the introduction of the Pre 1989 Import rule, there was the 15 year old import scheme. This allowed many 88, 89 and 90 year model Mini's to be imported. Similar to the current Pre 89 rules, registration of these cars varied from engineer to engineer let alone State to State. These cars had no compliance plates issued and can be problematic to get re-registered if rego elapses, or if registration is required in another State.

I hope this clears up some if not all of your questions.

Chris Gough.
Australian Mini Cooper.
http://www.ozcooper.com.au
ozcooper@primus.com.au

Page 1 of 1 All times are UTC + 10 hours
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
http://www.phpbb.com/