Hello Everyone….

I had a few queries on my experience of importing a Riley Elf from NZ…. Here is a summary of the process and costs… (have not added it all up before – so will be a shock to me I’m certain ). … the only relief was due to the time involved the costs were spread out.

I have been very lucky and got an incredibly original and straight rust free Elf… a few jobs to do but better than I’d hoped… so very happy so far.

Step 1.

First find your Car .

I had intended to have a look around whilst on holiday in NZ – but saw the one I bought on http://www.trademe.co.nz and moved my project timetable up a bit…

Cost 1: VIR check (http://www.vir.co.nz) this is pretty much like REVs – and gives registration history of the vehicle and Police/Finance “interests” in the vehicle. Report is instantaneously available online… just type in the rego number and your credit card details…

Eg this showed me the Elf was at 60,036 miles Oct 1995 with slow progressive rise each year at WOF (Rego) check and now at 63,537 in march this year. On getting the car I suspect that these are actual original milage.

Cost 2: Won the auction and bought the car for NZ$5,000 – about $4,500 – the exchange rates fluctuate – and fell the day before the auction closed – and of course the banks don’t give you what you see on the TV but lower. (My internet bank has International Transfer which shows true cost!)

Hidden Costs 1: Conversion/transfer fees – via Internet bank $22 at my end (over counter would have been $28 ) and another NZ$25 at the NZ bank.

Time: 2-3 working days for funds to transfer. Another 2-3 days to get original receipt posted by seller.

Potential cost: My seller was happy to look after the car till I arranged shipping. Others may not – and you may have to find somewhere to store the car (and get it there…) My process took almost 50 days from winning the auction to the car being picked up!

Suggestion: My contacts in NZ where unavailable to check the car – and I took a gamble that paid off… I am sure there is the equivalent of an NRMA inspection you could get done… at least find out if it is a rust bucket or not… a small cost in the scope of the project. (Kick myself I hadn’t thought of this at the time – as I say I was lucky)

Step 2 . Approval to Import http://www.dotars.gov.au
Cost 3: $50

This is what I see as the Catch 22… you have to apply to DOTARS to get approval to import the car – but can’t apply until you own it…. Tricky if they decide NO you can’t.

If it is pre-1989 it can be imported – so no worries …. After that and there are a variety of rules and regs – as my car is 1969 didn’t need to investigate this.

I got a receipt from the previous owner – and they de-registered the car (a further delay of a few days) – and I got an electronic copy of that as well. The DOTARS application is guaranteed within 18 days (working?). Mine took about 10 days.

Step 3. Ship the car.

Before even looking at buying a car I investigated a few shipping lines and got some quotes. Some didn’t have a clue and the rest were roughly around the same ball park. I didn’t go the cheapest – but the ones who gave me the best info – and have a history of shipping Elfs (Elves?) before… and I wasn’t disappointed – everything was done smoothly and efficiently.. and damage free which is what counts at the end of the day. Their estimates were pretty good and so not too many unexpected nasties.

They would not book in the car until I had the Import Approval document… once that arrived all happened pretty quick – but they need about 5 days lead time prior to the fortnightly shipment (takes a few days to load the ship). I just missed this – adding an extra 14 days to the wait.

As I was buying a single car I was told the cheapest option was RO/RO (Roll On/Roll Off – eg drive on ferry) – for multiple cars a container may be cheaper.

I had the car picked up by transport truck and taken to the wharf – rather than have the little old lady drive and down and try and find the right location ( I had images of the Elf trundling off the end of a wharf… or squashed by a container truck)

Pick up cost: NZ$80 (Car was in Auckland – costs elsewhere will differ greatly)

Steam clean pre Export : NZ$150
An optional cost – and no guarantee… my customs agent said I should have a 80-90% chance of being OK’d by AQUIS on landing in Australia. however …

Export Customs Clearance Fee: NZ$150
(NZ Government want there share too…)

International Freight : NZ$1,700
Cost based on size/weight of the car.. apparently the “standard size” is based on a 1968 Toyota… obviously no probs with any Mini variant.
(Shipping from Christchurch would be about NZ$500 more)

Bunker Adjustment Factor: (BAF): NZ$432.50
(This is basically a fuel costs levy just like the Airlines charge –just for Big ships… and varies on current fuel prices… mine was NZ$18 less than the quote)

Marine Insurance: Insurance for car (and covered shipping costs too) NZ$125

Other Costs:
If the car isn’t a runner (doesn’t have WOF) there is a Tow on/off fee of NZ$150. Not needed in my case.

Hidden Costs:
Transport company wouldn’t take Credit Card and I couldn’t direct transfer electronically to the Bank account. Over Counter bank charge: $28 and NZ$25 at the NZ end.

Finally the car is on it’s way…

Shipping 6 days Auckland to Sydney.

Step 4: Customs and Quarantine on Arrival

The Shipping company organized a Customs Broker for me who would look after this process.

It takes 3 days to unload the ship – and quarantine check them in that order – so may be a few days wait depending on where the car was loaded.

There is a minimum Inspection fee of $108 by AQUIS.
If there is a problem – further re-inspection fees are applied. And yep they wanted the car cleaned again…. There are no cleaning facilities at the Wharf and the car has to be transported in an enclosed truck to be cleaned and then brought back… which of course costs)

Steam Cleaning Motor Vehicle including transport to Depot and Depot fees $330

AQUIS Inspections fees: $193

Customs and AQUIS formalities including Broker fee: $300

Port charges due Carrier: $35

OK now the fun one…. As the car is over 30 years old no import duty – but still GST as is over $1000 in value (and Luxury car tax not applicable). This is based on the value of the vehicle as determined by Customs by some voodoo – and includes the cost of shipping… http://www.customs.gov.au

Duty/GST and Entry Fees: $719.68

GST on bits with GST charges (eg cleaning) : $66.50

Finally the car was mine and ready to be picked up !!

Step 5 : Get your car…

I had my own trailer so took the day off and drove down to Sydney and picked it up. This was quite funny as I was directed to a huge warehouse – so I negotiated my way around the container trucks and started loading up. The forklifts had to find alternate ways around during this process – but everyone was very friendly and didn’t hassle me in any way…

Suggestion: I forgot in the final rush – but get Shannons “laid up” insurance cover for the vehicle – it’s cheap and will cover the vehicle in transit. (And folks with cars in garages not in use – check this out as well)

Step 6: Rego

Early in the piece I emailed ACT Rego re requirements- and all I need is the Import Approval form and to meet ADRs for the age of the car. In 1969 this is ADR 4 and 4a – Front seat belt mounts and front Seat belts… No worries in that regard.

The car has a couple of oil leaks (diff seals) and I have yet to go in for Rego Inspections yet… and plan on Historical club rego….

Usual temporary permit and inspection fees apply… about $70 to come…. I’ll let you know how I go…


OK now the really scary bit… what do all those numbers add up too ?

NZ:
$25 (VIR)
$5000 (Car)
$25 (Bank fee)
$2637.50 (Shipping Fees)
$25 (Bank Fee)

Total: NZ $7,712.50 approx ( $6,500)

OZ:
$22 (Bank Fee)
$28 (Bank Fee)
$50 (Import Approval)
$1,644.18 (Arrival clearance Costs)

Total: $1744.18

Overall approx Total: $8,250
Time : 60 days from purchase.

Yikes … almost cost as much to get it here as it cost to buy!

At least I have now a different and unique vehicle to play with (think only one in ACT) and still cheaper than ones I’ve seen “For Sale” in Oz.. but you can understand why they are at those prices!

So in others words – not a cheap way to get a car…. And may be actually be cheaper (though longer) to get from the UK due to better shipping competition – though obviously some costs (eg Govt charges) will always apply….

Hope that clarifies things for everyone….

Ken

Other related post including piccies: http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=25125

and some reference photos when I first got the car
http://users.tpg.com.au/ken__lee/MiniStuff/Elf/index.html

Terrific stuff Ken...someone should make that a sticky

WOF = Warrant of Fitness
NRMA does have reciprocal rights with the AA

now for the bad news....its not the only Elf in Canberra...there are Elves mate (a BRG one I know for sure) ...and its nearly Christmas as well

_________________
"Show me the Mini!"

Costs are very similar to shipping from Japan. All the same sort of charges, but my car didn't need cleaning again at the Aus end. Also my car came in through Brisbane and was rail freighted to Melbourne.

Customs initially sent me an invoice for import duty and GST. I pointed out to them a 1975 car didn't attract import duty,as it was over 30 years old. Red faced, they issued me with a credit note.

_________________
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

Oh well.... only Mk III maybe ?

Was hoping to get ready (rego'd) for this weekend ... but didn't have right parts (wrong diff seals) last weekend ... did one side yesterday but was held up at work late today ... and the rest of the week isn't promising.... shall see !

ken.

That's great , a heap of info and nice and clear . All the extra costs and fee's add up though don't they , still , as you said , cheaper than getting one in that condition locally and also more satisfying as you've done it yourself .

_________________

Great info. Thanks

Many thanks for documenting your experience, the cost was not as bad as what I had originally expected but nonetheless it looks like everyone is out for a cut of their $$.

Putting the dollars aside, it seems like it was a fairly difficult exercise. If the right car came along , would you be prepared to go through the whole process again?

_________________
One should never skimp on the zip ties.

If the right car came up - Yes - probably would do it again.

It was mainly time consuming. The only tricky thing was just deciphering things like DOTARS forms... they use some odd terminolgy and are a bit unclear / contradictary at times. Having worked in Govt knew it best to try and dot all the i's and cross all the t's rather than rush it.

Most of the hard work was done by the shipping company and they just sent through various forms to fill in / sign.

So having gone through it once should be easier if there was a next time around...
.... but not rushing in any time soon !!

Ken.

You do know that all NZ minis, as part of 'local content' and import restriction rules, have unique threads throughout. Known as "imperia-worth", these threads (engine, suspension and all body pieces) mix imperial and whitworth threads on the same bolt, i.e. they change half way down. The only tools capable of working on these cars are licenced "Runcible Spanners" which are only available through Government agents. Almost no sets of tools are know to exist in private hands, so you have almost no chance of maintaining a Mini imported from New Zealand.

Also, since the mid-eighties, a bounty has been offered by the New Zealand Government for (a) exported cars being returned in idential condition to when they were last here, and (b) the reproductive organs of those who bought them in Australia.

But hey, it's your call.

I laugh.

Nice try!

_________________
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