A vehicle registered in one country but driven for tourist purposes in another must display a nationality plate (oval metal plate or sticker). The letters shown on the nationality plate identify the country in which the vehicle is registered and not the nationality of the driver. Australia's plate is AUS and these plates or stickers are available from the Overseas Motoring Coordinator for a nominal fee. For details, contact NRMA Touring Services on 13 11 22. You can also email us.

Some countries impose on-the-spot fines if the nationality and registration plates don't match. For information and a list of nationality plates, visit the International Ovals web site.

What do I need to do to take my car overseas?

There are strict laws governing temporary or permanent importation of motorcars and motorcycles. Customs regulations can change without notice and failure to check beforehand could involve the unexpected payment of excessive customs duty and taxes when the vehicle arrives in the overseas country.

Quota restrictions may require you to obtain an import licence before permission is granted to import the vehicle. If you have any doubts, contact NRMA Touring Services on 13 11 22 or your local motoring organisation for more details.

You can also email us.

Do I need customs documents?

There is no need for special customs documents when temporarily importing a motor vehicle into Europe and/or the USA, provided the vehicle is registered and insured and carries the nationality plate of the country of registration.

Vehicles imported temporarily into New Zealand and some countries in Africa, Asia and South America require a special customs document known as a Carnet de passages en douane.

What is a Carnet de passages en douane?

A Carnet de passages en douane (Carnet) is a document that allows visitors to temporarily import their vehicle into a country for a limited period of time. With a carnet you don't need to pay a deposit at the border.

In simple terms, a Carnet is a passport for the vehicle and indicates to customs that the vehicle will only be in the country temporarily. Under the Carnet system, temporarily imported vehicles can stay in a country for a short time - usually 12 months - after which the vehicle must be exported.

The Carnet is a set of vouchers containing all the relevant information that includes the vehicle's make, model, colour, number of seats and vehicle identification chassis number.

Every time the vehicle enters and leaves a country, customs remove one of these vouchers. With the Carnet comes an Export Declaration that must be signed and stamped by Australian Customs when the vehicle leaves and re-enters Australia.

A Carnet is not required for the UK, North and Central America and European countries.

A Carnet is required for New Zealand, Canada, Africa, Asia and South America.

What happens in countries that don't accept the Carnet?

If a country doesn't accept the Carnet and/or doesn't have a local automobile association, you may have to enter into an agreement with the local customs authority. This could mean depositing customs duty and taxes before the vehicle is permitted to enter the country.

How do I get a Carnet?

In NSW, you can get a Carnet through the NRMA Motoring & Services Overseas Motoring Coordinator.

You'll also have to lodge a security deposit (cash, bank cheque, bank guarantee or insurance premium) before the Carnet can be issued, which will be equal to the highest amount of customs duty and sales tax payable. The amount is calculated on the Australian market value of the vehicle at the time of shipment.

The security is released when the overseas customs authorities discharge the Carnet and is returned to the issuing organisation.

Interstate members can obtain the carnet from their own motoring organisation.

For more information, contact NRMA Touring Services on 13 11 22. You can also email us.

What do I do to take my car overseas permanently?

If you're changing your permanent place of residence, some countries may permit you to take a motor vehicle with you as part of your household possessions. This is known as 'change of residence' concession. You may have to fulfil one or all of the following conditions:

you've resided outside the country into which the vehicle is being permanently imported for a specific length of time
you've owned and used it for a specific length of time
you didn't obtain it under a duty/tax free scheme
you're making a permanent change of residence to the country into which the vehicle is being permanently imported
you won't dispose of the vehicle for a specified length of time after importation

How do I ship a car overseas?

You will need to use a reputable forwarding agent, because you can't deal directly with a shipping company. The agent will, for a fee, reserve space on a ship and attend to all documentation concerned with shipping the vehicle from Australia.

Charges include:

delivery of the motor vehicle to the wharf
outward wharfage charges
loading fees
steam cleaning (if necessary)
freight charges.

The forwarding agent will also arrange for customs examination of the vehicle.

NRMA recommends General Cargo Forwarders.

Should I take out separate insurance when shipping my car?

A forwarding agent can usually arrange marine insurance, but you should check the policy carefully to see what the insurance covers before you decide whether to go ahead. Some policies only cover total loss and do not cover damage in transit. Marine insurance cover cannot be arranged through NRMA Insurance or any insurer in the Insurance Australia Group (IAG).

Is it necessary to have fog lights on the car?

Front fog lights are an ideal safety accessory particularly for some harsher climates affected by fog, snowfalls and heavy rain, and are therefore recommended. They must, however, only be used under such 'hazardous weather conditions'.

A rear fog light (red) should be fitted and is strongly recommended if you take your vehicle to any European Union jurisdiction. If your vehicle is to be registered in Europe later, it will need to be fitted in any case.

They are also recommended for use in most other countries as a road safety item. They may only be used under seriously reduced visibility conditions. Some European jurisdictions limit the use of a rear fog light to 50 metres or less visibility.

Back

Font Size:

Taking a car overseas - Part 1

Related Stories