Automotive Customs Brokers

Automotive imports into Australia include passenger vehicles, commercial trucks, motorcycles, automotive parts, accessories, and aftermarket components. Since the closure of Australian vehicle manufacturing in 2017, the country relies entirely on imports for new vehicles, with Japan, Thailand, South Korea, Germany, and China as the major source countries.

All new and used vehicles imported into Australia must comply with the Australian Design Rules (ADRs) — a set of national standards covering safety, emissions, and anti-theft performance. The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts administers the Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018, which requires a Road Vehicle Standards Approval (RVSA) before a vehicle can be placed on the Register of Approved Vehicles (RAV). Used vehicle imports face additional restrictions under the Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicle Scheme (SEVS) or the Road Vehicle Standards (RVS) pathway.

Customs brokers handling automotive imports manage duty calculations (typically 5% for passenger vehicles from most origins, with concessional rates under FTAs with Japan, South Korea, and Thailand), luxury car tax (LCT) assessments, and the documentation chain from manufacturer compliance plates through to state registration requirements. Aftermarket parts importers benefit from brokers who understand automotive tariff classification, as the duty rate for parts varies significantly depending on the specific component and its intended application.