Hi all, I've been researching but was just hoping to hear from your actual experiences.

What costs are involved with this process. Going on the bases of a purchase price of 7000 English pounds ?
It's for a pick up mini so I was just wandering what the value would be over here as that is what they charge you on in taxes or so I understand.

Matt

Best ring Chris at Oz coopers, he'll be able to tell you all you need to know.
http://www.ozcooper.com.au/

You need to ad the following,
5% of purchase price for duty.
Cost of shipping.
10% of purchase price and shipping costs for GST
A few hundred dollars for the car to be cleaned when it arrives (no matter how clean it was they will still charge you before it clears in Australia)
If it has AC you will need to pay a fee to import a refrigeration system.
You will need to pay a customs broker to make it all happen smoothly.

I am basing this information on my experience of importing boats. I can guarantee that every man and his dog will have their hand out during the import process and the expected costs will double.
Good luck.

Don't forget compliencing, depending on year model it varies as to requirements. I'm a bit rusty on details but I think pre 1988 is just roadworthy items, 1989 - 1995? is gray area, 1996 - 2000, Chris does. Being a ute might throw up other possible problems. Not trying to put damper on idea, just don't want you ending up with $15,000 coffee table. Have you concidered importing nessessary body parts to convert Aussie mini?
http://www.m-machine.co.uk/cat.pdf

I can recommend these guys:

http://www.ironladyimports.com/

They will answer your questions and can help with the process.

Have a look around their page and read up on the Pre 1989 scheme under "other schemes". As long as the engine is still an A series you will be ok.

Cheers,

_________________
Brett Nicholson
Greendale (near Ballan) VIC.
1971 Morris Mini Moke
1966 Austin Mini
1965 Morris Mini Traveller
1973 LR Series 3 88
2007 LR Freelander 2

I had thought that the personal import scheme applies to cars you've owned overseas for more than 12 months. Otherwise you'll have to go through the SEVS system.

From the "Other Schemes" link

_________________

Timmy, pre-1989 cars don't need to go through SEVs. See the top of that page. You can import whatever car you like if it was made in 1988 or earlier and is not massively modified. I believe Mini utes ceased manufacture about 1988.

Personal Imports - yes you do need to own the car overseas for a year.

The laws regarding imports is currently under review. Hopefully once local manufacture ceases some of the barriers will come down.

_________________
Brett Nicholson
Greendale (near Ballan) VIC.
1971 Morris Mini Moke
1966 Austin Mini
1965 Morris Mini Traveller
1973 LR Series 3 88
2007 LR Freelander 2

Thanks guys ill do some reading of the links. its much appreciated.

I'd imagine you'd be a lot better off with a Japanese car.

Whatever you do, don't buy a fuel injected model. I've got an ECU fault with mine at the moment.

Good help with them is hard to find and the replacement parts are even worse...

If you get an air conditioned model, the space in the engine bay is significantly reduced (there is none to start with) which makes them difficult and time consuming to work on.