Import a 25+ Year Old Car to Australia

Australia’s 25-year import rule allows eligible vehicles to be imported once they reach 25 years from their manufacture date.

Unlike newer specialist imports, qualifying older vehicles do not need to be listed under the Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicle Scheme (SEVS).

An Australian Vehicle Import Approval is still required before importing.

Engineering and registration

Vehicles imported under the 25-year pathway generally require engineering and inspections before they can be registered in Australia.

Prestige Car Imports can help arrange transport to an appropriate workshop, engineering inspection and the necessary registration process in your state.

Vehicles manufactured in 1968 or earlier can often proceed directly to the relevant roadworthy, blue slip, inspection pits or registration process without engineering, depending on state requirements and vehicle modifications.

We can assist with these arrangements throughout Australia.

The 25-year rule operates on a rolling, month-by-month basis, using the vehicle’s manufacture date rather than simply its advertised model year.

For example, a vehicle manufactured in November 2002 becomes eligible in November 2027, provided it meets the other import requirements.

If the month of manufacture cannot be verified, the Department generally assesses the vehicle as having been built in December of that year. We can help investigate the available documentation before purchase.

Prestige Car Imports can help confirm a vehicle’s manufacture date and eligibility before purchase.

From Japanese performance cars and European sports cars to American muscle cars, pickup trucks and rare collector vehicles, we can help source and import thousands of different makes and models.

We aren’t restricted to a particular country. Whether the vehicle is in Japan, the UK, USA, New Zealand or elsewhere, we can help investigate your options.

The best country to buy from isn’t always the manufacturer’s home market, particularly when you’re looking for a right-hand-drive vehicle.

We can help source both right-hand-drive and left-hand-drive classics, depending on your preferences and the applicable Australian registration requirements.

The vehicle categories below are examples, not an exhaustive list of what PCI can import.

A vehicle over 25 years old is not automatically eligible if it has significant modifications. Concerns can include engine swaps, major drivetrain or chassis changes, extensive body or widebody work, major braking changes and steering conversions.

Under the older-vehicle pathway, significant modifications can affect the vehicle’s relevant build date. For example, a 1990 car heavily modified in 2020 may not qualify through the standard 25-year pathway. Not every aftermarket part makes a car ineligible. Each vehicle must be assessed individually.

We review listings and photographs first, then consult compliance and engineering contacts where needed. Import approval is ultimately determined by the relevant Australian authority. Contact us before purchasing a heavily modified classic.

Vehicles Manufactured in 1968 or Earlier

Vehicles manufactured in 1968 or earlier can often follow a simpler registration process.

Depending on the state and the vehicle’s modifications, engineering certification may not be required. The vehicle may instead proceed to the relevant roadworthy inspection, blue slip, inspection pits or registration checks.

We can help confirm the applicable requirements for your state and arrange the necessary inspections.

Vehicles Manufactured After 1968

Vehicles manufactured after 1968 generally require additional engineering or technical assessment before registration, depending on the state.

The exact requirements vary across Australia.

Prestige Car Imports can help determine what is required for your vehicle and coordinate the appropriate engineering, inspection and registration arrangements.

Left-Hand-Drive Classics

Eligible left-hand-drive vehicles can qualify for Australian import approval without automatically requiring conversion to right-hand drive.

However, registration rules differ between states and territories. Some vehicles may qualify for full registration, while others may have different registration options or restrictions.

We can help investigate the applicable rules for your vehicle and destination state before purchase.

Australia-Wide Assistance

Once your vehicle clears Australian customs and quarantine, we can arrange collection from the port and transport to the appropriate engineering, inspection or registration facility.

We work with contacts throughout Australia and can assist with engineering, roadworthy inspections, blue slips, inspection pits and registration arrangements.

Whether you’re importing to Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, the ACT or the Northern Territory, we can help guide you through the relevant requirements.

Total cost depends on purchase price, origin country, shipping, inspections, taxes and Australian engineering or registration expenses. Typical items include overseas purchase, history checks, inland transport, export documents, import approval, asbestos testing, international shipping, optional marine insurance, duty (where applicable), GST, Luxury Car Tax (where applicable), customs and biosecurity clearance, port charges, engineering/registration and PCI’s service fee.

Want to estimate your importing costs? Use our country-specific import calculators for Japan, the USA, UK and New Zealand to get an idea of the costs involved before purchasing a vehicle.

Are cars over 30 years old duty-free?

Yes. Vehicles aged 30 years or older that we import under the applicable classic vehicle categories are exempt from customs duty, regardless of whether they come from Japan, the UK, USA, New Zealand or elsewhere. The duty exemption starts at 30 years and is separate from 25-year import eligibility. For vehicles aged 25 to under 30, duty may apply depending on manufacture and origin.

GST and Luxury Car Tax

GST applies to normal vehicle imports under the 25-year scheme at 10% on the applicable taxable importation value. Being 25 or 30 years old does not remove GST. LCT can also apply when the vehicle meets taxable criteria and exceeds the applicable threshold. Expensive classics are not automatically exempt.

Asbestos Testing

Australian law prohibits importing asbestos-containing components.

Older vehicles may contain asbestos in brake pads, clutch linings, gaskets, heat shields and insulation.

Prestige Car Imports can help arrange asbestos inspections and testing in the vehicle’s country of origin before it is shipped to Australia.

If asbestos is discovered, we can also assist with arranging the removal or replacement of affected components overseas.

Addressing asbestos issues before shipping is generally preferable to discovering them after arrival, when customs delays, additional inspections, storage costs and other expenses can arise.

We strongly recommend investigating asbestos requirements before shipping a classic vehicle to Australia.

Marine Transit Insurance

Prestige Car Imports offers access to optional marine transit insurance through a third-party insurance provider.

Depending on the selected policy, insurance can provide cover for specified accidental loss or damage during collection, port handling, loading, unloading, international shipping and onward transport in Australia.

We can assist with arranging suitable cover for your vehicle before shipping.

The exact coverage, insured value, exclusions, claims handling and period of insurance depend on the policy issued by the third-party provider.

Marine insurance can be particularly worthwhile for valuable classic and collector vehicles.

From first enquiry through Australian registration support, we coordinate the practical steps below.

Importing a classic involves more than buying a car and booking a ship. Common risks include buying a vehicle that cannot be approved, undisclosed damage, unsafe private-seller payments, missing export documents, asbestos issues after arrival, customs delays, port storage costs and unexpected engineering requirements.

Prestige Car Imports acts as a vehicle sourcing and importing agent, not as the overseas vehicle seller. Customers purchase directly from dealerships, auctions or private sellers. PCI does not take ownership for resale, does not guarantee condition, and does not undertake to pay for repairs arising from the vehicle’s condition. Independent inspections and history reports cannot guarantee every aspect of a used car. Optional marine insurance is subject to policy terms.

Our import service fee

We can discuss your vehicle, review the listing and investigate eligibility before requesting an engagement fee. Once you are ready to proceed, our initial engagement fee is A$1,190. This amount forms part of our total agreed service fee. It is not an additional charge. The remaining balance is generally payable after we have helped secure the vehicle. Overall fees depend on the expected landed cost and agreed services, explained before you commit.

For further information about Australia’s older-vehicle import requirements, you can refer to these official government resources:

• Australian Government: Importing an Older Vehicle
• Guide to Concessional RAV Entry Approvals
• Australian Border Force: Asbestos Import Requirements