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Guide · updated 2026-10-09
How to import a classic car into Australia
Short answer
Apply for a vehicle import approval before the car ships. Cars over 25 years old can usually come in under the concessional entry for older vehicles. On arrival, expect customs duty, 10% GST, luxury car tax above the threshold, and an asbestos check. Then the car still needs registering in your state.
Steps
- Apply for import approval through the department's ROVER portal; a car arriving without one is held by Border Force
- Arrange shipping, and paperwork showing the car is free of asbestos
- Clear customs: duty, GST and possibly luxury car tax
- Quarantine cleaning and inspection
- Register in your state (some states offer historic registration)
Costs people miss
- Luxury car tax applies to many imported older cars, even though it doesn't apply when the same car is sold within Australia (an anomaly the historic-vehicle lobby has raised with Treasury)
- Asbestos testing or removal in gaskets and brakes
- Compliance work before registration
Sources
- Department of Infrastructure — importing a road vehicle ↗
- Department of Infrastructure — concessional RAV entry (25+ years) ↗
- AHMF — concessional RAV entry ↗
- AHVIG pre-budget submission on LCT (Treasury) ↗
- Australian Border Force — asbestos ↗
General information only, not legal, tax or financial advice. Rules change; check the official source.
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