Anybody shipped a car from USA to Australia?

[750hp]

Originally Posted by xb-60

Thanks Spookypt. It's mainly the handing over the cash, and not being able to take the car on the spot and trusting the seller that he will hand it over to the transport guys when they come to pick it up. That's what I'm 'concerned' about.
Your comment about "know your seller" - does that mean I should only look at buying from, for example, people who advertise the sale in ClubCobra or CobraCountry? Probably....
Cheers,
Glen

Buying a car from the ClubCobra or CobraCountry websites doesn't really make it any safer than buying through other channels. Dad and I have imported a couple of cars in the last year - one was a private sale on Ebay, the other a consignment sale through a special interest car yard.

Assuming that you're looking for a Cobra, there's a bit of a Catch 22 situation to consider. You need to provide a mountain of evidence regarding a car's age and proof of first registration if you're bringing in a pre-89 car. Be prepared to be challenged on this before import approval is granted. That being the case, you also need to show proof of purchase. ie: you need to buy the car before you know if you will be allowed to import it...

If you buy the car with a clause stating that you can back out of the deal if import approval isn't granted, you are asking a seller to effectively sit on the car for a month or more without any real certainty of the sale.

It's all good fun if it works out...!

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by 750hp

Buying a car from the ClubCobra or CobraCountry websites doesn't really make it any safer than buying through other channels. Dad and I have imported a couple of cars in the last year - one was a private sale on Ebay, the other a consignment sale through a special interest car yard.

Assuming that you're looking for a Cobra, there's a bit of a Catch 22 situation to consider. You need to provide a mountain of evidence regarding a car's age and proof of first registration if you're bringing in a pre-89 car. Be prepared to be challenged on this before import approval is granted. That being the case, you also need to show proof of purchase. ie: you need to buy the car before you know if you will be allowed to import it...

If you buy the car with a clause stating that you can back out of the deal if import approval isn't granted, you are asking a seller to effectively sit on the car for a month or more without any real certainty of the sale.

It's all good fun if it works out...!

Thanks Craig. It would be a pre-89 car, or a new one, ckd.
So...if the right pre-89 car comes up, and being 'right' includes having bulletproof MSO if factory built, or if not then evidence of first registration. If none of that is available, then it’s a non-starter for obtaining an import license, so couldn’t even look at it.
And again, bulletproof proof of purchase (including it not being on their stolen list) is essential to be able to exit US ports.
This all means that the car would need to be a relatively well-known car (in ClubCobra circles) but even still, actually buying (ie paying for) a car and then leaving it to make its way through the export system under somebody else’s control is something that I am still to become comfortable with.
Otherwise it’s the ERA FIA way. That’s not a bad alternative now, is it?
Cheers,
Glen

[400TT]

Glen, do you want full registration?

The vehicle will need to be pre 1989 to be eligible for import.

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by 400TT

Glen, do you want full registration?

The vehicle will need to be pre 1989 to be eligible for import.

Yes I know Craig, it would need to be pre-Jan 1989
Cheers

[Beejay]

From what I have heard there are no registered Atoms in Oz. They have been working at it for a long time...

Ben

[400TT]

Glen, are you intending to street register the car in SA once it his here?

Because even though it is not easy to get the car here, registering it once it is here is complex.

I can briefly list the requirements if you want a heads up. Even a brief list will be long.

[xb-60]

Originally Posted by 400TT

Glen, are you intending to street register the car in SA once it his here?

Because even though it is not easy to get the car here, registering it once it is here is complex.

I can briefly list the requirements if you want a heads up. Even a brief list will be long.

Please. Let me have it!
Anything. Everything. I'm all ears.
Cheers,
Glen

[OZCOBRA]

Originally Posted by Beejay

From what I have heard there are no registered Atoms in Oz. They have been working at it for a long time...

Ben

One of 3 that I know of......But hey luckily we do live in Victoria!!!!
[IMG][/IMG]

[Beejay]

Wow,

Perhaps my source was only talking about problems with NSW rego - I will check.

Are you sure they are full rego?

Ben