How To Ship A Car To Australia

Before you begin searching for a company to ship your car, you need to get your car approved to be shipped via an Import Approval. This part of the process is completed completely separate from your transportation company. 

You have to go through Australia’s Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development and apply to import your vehicle. There are several options to choose from to determine eligibility depending on the type of vehicle you are importing and its condition. After the eligibility to import your vehicle is approved, that is when you apply for the Vehicle Import Approval. Once your application is approved, you can begin the process of shipping your car to Australia! 

Do you need your car shipped to Australia fast? If so, you need to start your search as soon as you can. There’s the VIA (vehicle import application) to obtain from Australia’s government, a search for the right company, paperwork to gather, and your car to prepare. The overall process of shipping a car to Australia can take months. That’s not even counting the actual shipping time.

Most car transportation companies need a generous head’s up of your situation so they can have the right shipping materials ready for your process. Some containers may be in use or booked up, so as soon as you know you need to ship your car to Australia, the sooner you can find the right company to process your car. If you wait too long, your plans could be severely altered. 

Speaking of search for the right company, budget is not the only factor to consider. For example, when you are shipping a car to Australia, you trust your company to safely transport your vehicle overseas and arrive on time with minimal to no damages. Because of this, you should thoroughly research car transportation companies in your area and pick the one with the highest qualifications.

Here are things to consider when finding the right transportation company:

• Cost of services - search for the company that has the best price for your budget
• Experience shipping internationally - they should have a strong background shipping cars out of the country
• Equipment that is used - trustworthy companies have the right materials for shipping cars overseas 

Investing in shipping your car to Australia is a big deal. You should feel confident that your hired company can get the job done and knows what they’re doing. Preferably, they should have experience shipping cars to Australia or other international locations. 

Paperwork will need to be completed before shipment. General paperwork includes:

• Personal ID/Passport
• Proof of car ownership
• Proof of origin from the manufacturer
• Registration
• Bill of Landing

Your car also might need to be inspected upon drop-off before it can be shipped, so prepare to add that in your timeline as well possibly. 

Shipping your car internationally is going to come with a hefty fee. How much you pay, though, can vary depending on time and mileage. If you decide to work with A1 Auto Transport, the average delivery time for shipping a car to Australia is between 7-30 days with an average cost between $1,000-$1,500.

The delivery time does not count paper processing, which is what you should be aware of. If you are working under a time crunch, you should get the ball moving as soon as possible, especially since you need to obtain application approval. Costs can also vary depending on shipment methods and materials. For example, you can save money by having your car shipped to the nearest port and selecting the cheaper shipping containers. Costs can also vary between the companies you consult with. If you are sticking to a specific budget, select the company that fits your finances best. 

After selecting the right company, you will select the shipping and carrier method to deliver your car. To save money, the “RoRo” method (roll-on/roll-off) is typically the cheapest. This means your car is driven onto the boat or plane and secured for travel before being driven off upon delivery. Other carrier methods to choose from are container shipped (enclosed carriers) or lifting services. Again, you can determine the right method by asking your company based on the condition of your car and budget. 

Before your car is shipped overseas, you will need to prepare the vehicle to be transported. Things you can do to prep your vehicle are simple. You first need to empty your car of personal belongings and valuables. This includes CDs, GPS tools, sub-woofers, or other external speakers. If your vehicle has a trunk, remove any items from there as well, like fold-up chairs, blankets, and tools.

You should wash your car before shipping and take photos of the condition for proof if any damages or scuffs appear over the transportation process. The gas tank should be decreased to a quarter or lower, and duplicate keys should be made if you do not already have some since the transporter will need one set of keys. 

Once all of the tedious work is over, you can finally drop off your car! This is the easiest part of the process. If you have to drive your car to the company’s office, you should have someone follow you to pick you up after. Most companies have a tracking system that allows you to watch where your car is at all times during the shipping process. This is beneficial for you if your shipment gets delayed or keeps tabs on its location. The great thing about this step is that you get to focus on the moving portion and other things you have going on at the moment. You can take a break from the stress and hassle of shipping your car internationally!

When you finally retrieve your car, congratulations! You are almost done! Some companies have extra paperwork and the last round of payment that needs to be made, so be prepared if that is the case with your hired company. The driver will also hand back your set of original keys and the Bill of Landing. 

Before delivery, you should be given a guaranteed date as well as a pick-up location. It is important to the driver who will be transporting your car to know that you will be at the agreed-upon location at the scheduled time. If you need to arrange for someone else to retrieve your car, communicate with your driver beforehand. Otherwise, your car might not be delivered on the guaranteed date. 

When you receive your car at delivery, you should inspect it immediately. If you notice any damages or scuffs that appeared during delivery, you should be able to file a claim with the driver. They should carry the appropriate paperwork or provide instructions on who to relay the problem to.

Most companies have protocols for reporting damages that you find after delivery. Most are within 30 days of delivery. Significant damages should are not common during delivery, but minor scuffs and scratches can happen if the delivery is not shipped in an enclosed container. Most companies are insured and will take care of the damage themselves. After filing the claim, you will be contacted about further steps. It is essential to have proof of damages to win your claim.