If you’re new to importing cars, you will likely find that vehicle importing regulations are very convoluted and hard to decipher. Our job is to cut through all of this to make it simpler for you.
The first thing you need to know is that anything relating to vehicle importation falls under the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018 (RVSA). The objective of the Road Vehicle Standards (RVS) legislation is to provide consumers in Australia with more choice of road vehicles, including specialist and enthusiast vehicles.
Basically, if you are an Australian resident looking to import a vehicle for road use, then the two main import options available are:
1. 25 Year rule
The vehicle must be over 25 years old from date of manufacture. This scheme covers most vehicle types including passenger cars, off-road passenger vehicles, mopeds/motorcycles, and light goods vehicles), and
2. Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicle Scheme (SEVS)
For vehicles older than 25 years. SEVS allows importation of vehicles with certain features such as high performance, low emissions or accessibility features but are not otherwise provided to the Australian market by the original manufacturer.
Vehicles that meet the relevant SEVS eligibility criteria (either at the make and model level, or as a variant of a model of the road vehicle) are entered onto the RVS Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicles Register (SEVs Register). This includes those vehicles currently listed on the Interim arrangements SEVs list.
Anyone can apply for one or more variants of a model, or make and model, of a road vehicle to be entered on the SEVs Register.
RAWS COMPLIANCE
So, you’ve found a vehicle that you want to import, and it’s on the SEVs Register. To be able to import that vehicle and register it for road use, you must also ensure that there is a Registered Approved Workshop (RAW) that is approved to modify that particular vehicle in accordance with Australian Design Rules. Compliance requirements vary depending on the age and type of vehicle and may include items such as fitment of child restraint points, noise and emissions testing, and new tyres (if required). There are no limits on how many vehicles the compliance workshop can comply under the RAW scheme and there is no longer a requirement to affix a compliance plate to the vehicle (vehicle is searchable on an online register).
Once you have purchased the vehicle from overseas, the RAW also applies for Vehicle Import Approval (VIA) in your behalf. This is required for Customs clearance.
A RAW can be searched online by selecting the make and model of vehicles you wish to import.
NOTE: From 1 July 2023, only RVS SEVs Register vehicles that have met the eligibility criteria for a concessional Register of Approved Vehicles (RAV) entry approval (to be modified by a RAW) and successfully entered on the RAV can be provided to the Australian market.
Vehicle Eligibility
A model or variant is eligible to be entered on the SEVs Register if it meets all of the criteria in section 129 of the Rules, summarised below:
The vehicle has not been made available to consumers in Australia as a new vehicle under either the current RVS legislation or the previous Motor Vehicle Standards Act 1989 (MVSA) or is a “significantly different” variant to models made available locally. Note: The design characteristics of a particular variant will need to be significantly different from other variants of the model of vehicle, such as having a different engine configuration, transmission, drivetrain or body type
AND
The vehicle was first made available in an overseas market at least 3 months ago
AND
The vehicle meets one of the following criteria:
Performance – high performance vehicles with specifications significantly superior to mainstream vehicles in Australia (based on power to weight ratio)
Environmental – vehicles that meet or exceed the current applicable emissions standards in Australia (non-ICE propulsion or microcars)
If you are more environmentally conscious or love a quirky and unique car, the Environmental criterion allows a plethora of Japanese Kei cars to be imported as well as EVs and hybrid variants of popular vehicles that were not made available new in Australia. This includes Nissan Leaf, Toyota Estima (Tarago) hybrid, Honda Vezel (HR-V), Honda Fit (Jazz) hybrid, Mazda Axela (3) hybrid, Subaru XV hybrid, and Suzuki Swift hybrid to name a few.
Mobility – vehicles manufactured with, or modified to include, special features to assist people with a disability
The Mobility criterion allows disability persons and transport services to factory fitted wheelchair accessible vehicles. These usually come in either side (swing out seat) or rear access (ramp).
Left-hand drive – vehicles originally manufactured as left-hand drive, of which right-hand drive versions are not available in any other country or, if available, were not originally manufactured in right-hand drive for that country
Campervans and motorhomes – vehicles that have been originally manufactured as a campervan or motorhome, or capable of conversion to a campervan or motorhome
Rarity – vehicles of which only small quantities are produced.
If you are more environmentally conscious or love a quirky and unique car, the Environmental criterion allows a plethora of Japanese Kei cars to be imported as well as EVs and hybrid variants of popular vehicles that were not made available new in Australia. This includes Nissan Leaf, Toyota Estima (Tarago) hybrid, Honda Vezel (HR-V), Honda Fit (Jazz) hybrid, Mazda Axela (3) hybrid, Subaru XV hybrid, and Suzuki Swift hybrid to name a few.
The Mobility criterion allows disability persons and transport services to factory fitted wheelchair accessible vehicles. These usually come in either side (swing out seat) or rear access (ramp).
For more information regarding definitions of the above criteria, please read this SEVS Guide.
Feel free to enquire to see if the vehicle you are wanting to import is eligible under the two above-mentioned import schemes, or alternatively, we can provide some options of eligible vehicles that meet your specific needs.