Shipping Cars to Australia from UK

Whatever type of vehicle can be driven on Australia roads, Relo UK can ship it. When it comes to shipping vehicles to Australia, we are the experts: we can handle all types of motor vehicles from small cars to four-wheel drive vehicles, vans and trailers, along with all types of motorcycles, boats and caravans.

If you require further assistance, please contact our office where one of trained consultants will be happy to help. Prior to shipping, an Australian import permit is required from the federal office of road safety in Canberra. Please be aware that if you do not have an import permit, we will not be able to ship your vehicle.

This is similar to vehicle shipping in that we will require an import permit prior to shipping. Due to the nature of international shipping, a bespoke crate-making service is offered to provide greater projection during transit. Please contact our office for costs. Motorcycles are shipped on a groupage/share service, which is the economically recognised method of shipping, and you save money by sharing costs. Once your vehicle has arrived in Australia, it will be subject to Customs, Asbestos and Quarantine formalities, and once cleared, vehicles are available for handover at your destination’s depot.

For a quote, either click the ‘get a quote’ tab on our homepage, email info@relouk.com, or call 08432 894 350/01323 763 689.

Vehicle shipping cost calculations are based on the dimensions of your vehicle and the method of shipment selected. Costs are also based on the required service chosen.

Quotes given by us are valid for 28 days; this is due to the nature and vagrancies of international shipping, which can be affected by currency fluctuations as well as increases in ocean and air freight costs.

Receiving your vehicle at our Pevensey depot, where we will photograph it and prepare a condition report. Alternatively, one of our expert car transporters can collect it from your residence, where the condition report will be carried out and cross-checked once in depot, to confirm the condition is the same as collection.
In accordance with maritime shipping dangerous goods regulations, we will isolate the battery (we do not accept responsibility for the integrity of the electrical system upon reconnection at destination)
Shipment of personal items within the luggage compartment is not recommended due to Australian Customs, Quarantine and Asbestos inspection. Luggage is prohibited on the roll on/roll off ferry service
We will load and secure your vehicle within an appropriate steel container and deliver to the UK port of departure or reception at the roll on/roll off ferry terminal
Ocean freight to arrival at the required destination port in Australia
Container haulage to our representative's depot, unloading for Australian Quarantine inspection and Asbestos inspection formalities
Post-move condition survey and handout of vehicle at our representative's depot (groupage or exclusive container must be paid to depot).

Unless requested at the quotation stage and included in the body of the quotation, this will normally exclude storage costs. Insurance costs are usually not included at the time of quoting but can be added later, if required. Quarantine clearance inspection and Asbestos inspection charges, payable to our local partners, will also need to be dealt with. Also excluded are import duties, taxes or other sums due to government departments, as well as demurrage, quay rent, cargo dues or container detention fees if incurred; fumigation or steam cleaning if ordered, and any resulting treatment fees if applicable.
If you require further assistance, please contact our office who will be able to advise on current destination regulations.

For international vehicle shipping, VAT is not applicable for an overseas move; is it only applicable to EU to EU relocations or domestic services.

A 15% deposit will be taken on booking to secure your nominated dates. A comprehensive booking email will also be sent, which will advise the collection date (if we are collecting by transporter) and depot opening times. A PDF along with a customs form will need to be completed, as well as a copy of your passport, visa if required, plus your vehicle import permit. Your insurance information will also be included for your perusal. Lastly, we also request that the customer acceptance form sent with your quotation is completed and returned to our office - this can be sent via email if required.

The short answer is, yes. Your present employer will be asked to send a purchase order as well as the contact details of the person in charge of the payments. As we won’t have trading terms with your employer in place, a 15% deposit on booking is required and the balance of the invoice must be paid 72 hours after collection. A signed acceptance return form is also needed to confirm the booking.

You are not permitted to reclaim VAT on the purchase of a new motor vehicle on exportation within or outside the EU. For further information, refer to HMRC Notice 704 or call their National Advice Service on 0845 010 9000. Any new vehicle moved into Australia will be subject to duty and taxes.

We have a vehicle transporter service for collections UK wide, and we are also able to collect from most European cities.

Ocean freight maritime requirements state that the vehicle's fuel gauge should register empty upon delivery to our depot, for loading into a container. We will check the fuel status, but please do not leave full as you will be responsible for the cost of draining the tank and disposing of the waste fuel. If shipping by roll on/roll off ferry, there should be no more than a quarter of a tank of fuel upon delivery to the ferry terminal. The vehicle must be in full working order, failing which you will be responsible for mechanic charges and/or towing.

A 15% deposit will be taken to secure your nominated date, and we also request the completed customer acceptance at time of booking, as this confirms the contracted conditions. Once your vehicle has either been received or collected and shipment verified, we will provide you with a final balance invoice, which is in accordance with our trading terms. We respectfully request payment of the invoice is received within 72 hours of it being issued. Regarding insurance, we require a completed declaration prior to the vehicle receival date, and insurance premium costs will be added to your final balance. In the initial quotation email sent there will be a link to our terms and conditions (please read). Once payment has been received, your consignment will be scheduled to depart as per your quoted terms. If you require any further assistance, email info@relouk.com, or call 08432 894 350/01323 763 689.

In accordance with strict quarantine regulations in Australia, it is recommended vehicles should be thoroughly washed and vacuumed prior to shipment, failing which you may be liable for steam cleaning fees or fees for subsequent treatment. Particular attention should be paid to the wheel arches, underside and engine compartment, as well as interior passenger and luggage compartments. Please note that vehicles delivered to the roll on/roll off ferry terminal must be free of mud and dirt, otherwise delivery may be refused by the port authority.

We will require the code to deactivate the alarm system or immobiliser operated by a numeric keypad, if applicable.

Once received at depot, road tax will not be applicable as the vehicle will not be driven on public roads. We will, however, require a copy of your registration document or Certificate of Permanent Export (if you have already notified the DVLA) as well as your purchase invoice, as proof of ownership.

Before you export your vehicle, you must complete the V5 Vehicle Document, which indicates the intended date of exportation, and return it to the DVLC or to a Vehicle Registration Office (VRO). If you take your vehicle abroad for more than 12 months, it is regarded as a permanent export. In its place you will receive a Certificate of Export V561 as confirmation of your vehicle's registration. If you apply in person to a VRO, you will normally be issued with the Export Certificate over the counter, provided you can produce the V5 Registration Document. If you do not have the V5 Registration Document or if you have the green V5/2 New Keeper's Supplement, you will need to complete an application to a VRO or send it to the DVLC.
If the application is made in person to a VRO, you will need to provide proof of identity, such as a driver's license, passport or utility bill, which indicates your name and address. Unless you are already registered as the keeper of the vehicle, checks for entitlement may have to be made before an Export Certificate is issued. If the VRO is unable to issue the Certificate, the application will be forwarded to the DVLC, and dispatch of the certificate may be delayed while entitlement is established. The VRO will not accept an application more than 14 days prior to the intended date of exportation. Please note you may be required to surrender the Export Certificate to the foreign authority when the vehicle is registered abroad.

All vehicles imported into Australia require an import permit issued by the Federal office of road safety in Canberra. As the vehicle’s owner, it is your responsibility to obtain the necessary vehicle import approval. For more information, please contact the Australian embassy or our office for up-to-date requirements.

Our preferred method is for the container to be swing-lifted onto the ground, at our depot facility, which allows for easy loading of your vehicle. Once inside the container, the vehicle is chocked at the wheels and vehicle retaining straps used to anchor the vehicle to the container between the towing points or axles and floor-mounted ring bolts to prevent movement in transit. Only industry-recognised stowage techniques are used, which ensures maximum protection of your vehicle during transit.

To ensure every possible precaution is taken to protect and secure your vehicle during transit, our staff are extensively trained in the field of international vehicle transportation. While great care is taken during the shipping of your vehicle, we do everything possible to ensure your vehicle arrives safely, nevertheless, there are many instances of risk for loss or damage, which are beyond our control. With this in mind, Relo UK’s liability for loss or damage has to be limited by our standard terms and conditions contract, which are incorporated into all removal, storage and shipping contracts.
If you do not take out adequate insurance, your recourse against the removal company or subsequent carriers and third parties for loss or damage, if they are liable, may be limited. Other parties involved may include, for example, the nominated shipping company or airline, other transport operators, the Port Authority, etc. These parties operate under separate contract conditions, or under international law or conventions that may limit or exclude their liability. If a loss occurs at sea, the shipping company may declare a General Average loss (the cost incurred by the carrier to preserve the vessel and its cargo). In this case, you, as the ‘shipper and owner’ of the goods may have to contribute to the loss incurred by the shipping company. This principle of contribution is an insurable risk, which is covered by marine transit policy issued by Relo UK.
A transit proposal form is provided with all our extended quotations – please read this carefully and get in touch if you have any questions, etc.

Your vehicle will be safely stored in our fully customs boned warehouse, which is alarmed and fitted with CCTV cameras for added security. If you required storage for a short period during transit, or for a longer term, we are able to offer competitive storage costs prior to your move to Australia.

Once the booking is confirmed, you will receive an email stating shipment details, and the following information will be required from you:

Completed Acceptance/Customer Information Form
A legible copy of the details page of the ‘lead client’s’ passport (photo page) – please ensure we have the correct details for the ‘lead client’ or person who’s name the shipment will be in
A copy of your resident’s VISA or work permit for your chosen destination, unless you are a returning passport holder
Completed B534 Australian Customs form (attached)
Copy of your import permit
Copy of registration document, or permanent export from the DVLA
Purchase invoice and proof of ownership
Completed Insurance Valuation Form – attached for your reference (should cover be required).

Please note that it is your responsibility to ensure you have authority to import your vehicle into Australia. We are unable to ship your vehicle without completed documentation and payment.

It is advised that you are there to receive your vehicle once it arrives at the designated Australian port. Before arrival, the required shipping documentation will to sent to our Australian colleagues, to ensure the customs and quarantine formalities can be competed as quickly as possible. The container will be collected from the arrival port and transferred under bond to a bonded facility. Once the vehicle has arrived in depot, it will be unloaded, a condition report prepared, and discrepancies noted and photographed. Customs will start the clearance process once the vehicle is logged into depot, Quarantine will be booked for an inspection and an Asbestos check will be performed. Once the relevant inspections have been carried out and the vehicle is clear to import, a date will be given for hand-over at depot. If you prefer your vehicle to be delivered on a car transporter, however, please advise and we will submit a quotation. Please be aware that once the vehicle has been cleared to import and handover, registration of the vehicle to meet road regulations will be at the client’s expense and therefore your responsibility.

Quotations for vehicles are normally extended on a depot to handout depot service and include terminals and custom clearance formalities. Not included are collections and delivery charges via car transporter services (unless specified on the quotation), customs inspection fees, any customs duty or taxes, import permits fees, and the (AQIS) Australian Quarantine inspections, which are mandatory in Australia. Australian Quarantine inspection fees, as well as Asbestos inspection fees, are also payable direct to our colleagues in Australia.

To ensure we are adhering to providing maximum quality assurance and customer service within the removal industry, we are a core member of the IAM (International Association of Movers). Similar to the BAR (British Association of Removers), the IAM is internationally recognised, which guarantees peace of mind for you here in the UK as well as at your destination. Your vehicle’s movements will be conducted and monitored to comply with agreed standards that are enforceable by the governing body wherever you are in the world at the time.

We have based our terms and conditions on standard international removal industry codes of practice, which outline the rights, obligations, and responsibilities of all parties to this agreement. Where the word 'you' or 'your' is used, this refers to the customer; and 'we', 'us' or 'our' refers to the remover. These terms and conditions can be varied or amended subject to prior written agreement. Please direct your attention to Clauses 4, 9, 10, 11 and 12, which set out our liability to you for loss of or damage to goods and property.

While we may not be the biggest international mover or shipper of vehicles, here at Relo UK, we pride ourselves on our service being second-to-none. Since starting the business, we have transported countless vehicles, families and their possessions worldwide. Having an in-depth knowledge and insight into relocation to Australia from the UK is also crucial, not just for vehicles but household goods and effects. You can be safe in the knowledge that the expert service we provide is consistently competent, friendly, and above all, entirely professional. We take great pride in our excellent reputation and look forward to moving you and your vehicle.