Moving from Japan to Australia is a really big move. Australia itself is massive – 20 times larger than Japan, in fact. Much of Australia’s population hugs its coastlines – Australia is sparsely populated outside of these coastal regions. Japan is much more densely populated, with a population 4 times that of Australia.
Australia is a unique country in that there are many plants and animals that live on the continent that simply do not exist elsewhere in the world. Pests and diseases brought in from other parts of the world can be devastating for this unique ecosystem. To protect this precious natural resource, Australian Customs officials follow very strict inspection and quarantine guidelines on importations.
More than just kangaroos, Australia is also famous for its rigorous quarantine inspections. In many countries, as long as you aren’t bringing food, animals, or plants, you will have little to worry about. This is not the case in Australia.
Most households coming into Australia will have some personal items subject to quarantine. Wood furniture, for example, will be very closely inspected to ensure that termites or other wood boring pests have not invaded. Any items flagged during the customs inspection process will need to be quarantined for a time, sent back to its point of origin, or in some cases, destroyed. They take this job very seriously. Be prepared to provide all requested documentation and to be transparent and flexible.
Most of your personal goods can be imported to Australia without taxes or duty. As with most counties, items eligible for import are those that you have owned and personally used for at least six months. You will also need to attest that you will not sell, loan, rent, or lease these items or use them for anything other than personal use for at least 12 months of arriving in Australia.
Am I allowed to bring my vehicle to Australia?
Most likely, no. The vast majority of vehicles imported to Australia are imported by car manufacturers. It is really quite rare for a private individual to receive approval to import their vehicle to Australia.
Registered Automotive Workshops (RAWs) are companies that have been certified by the Australian government to import a very limited selection of used vehicles. To see if your vehicle is eligible, check the Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicle Scheme (SEVS).
Determining if your car is technically eligible for import is only the first of many steps you must take. The RAWs will likely need to make repairs or modifications to your vehicle before it can be imported, and you will be responsible for covering that expense out of pocket.
You could also try to import your vehicle by yourself, but beware. The Australian Border Force will not release your vehicle unless your paperwork is complete and in order. You will need to apply for a Vehicle Import Approval and be able to certify that your vehicle is free of asbestos.
Again, privately-owned vehicles are rarely approved for import, and the approval process does take several weeks. Make sure to leave yourself plenty of time so you can make alternative arrangements as needed.
Keep it Simple
The easiest way to import your household goods from Japan to Australia is to contact A1 Auto Transport for a free, no-obligation shipping quote. Working with our team of highly qualified shipping experts will take the guesswork out of the whole process. Language barrier? Not a problem. We’ve got you covered. Working with A1 Auto Transport will ensure that your belongings arrive at your destination in one piece, with no stress.
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