IMPORT CAR UK TO AUSTRALIA- CAR SHIPPING UK AUSTRALIA

The cost of shipping a car from UK to Australia is typically between $7000 to $9000 AUD. This price range covers your ocean freight, customs clearance, documentation handling, and pick up and delivery near transport ports.

Prices will change depending on many factors such as the pick-up and delivery locations, size and weight, and shipping method. For example, the cost of car shipping UK Australia for a 4×4 vehicle will be higher than a regular sedan. If your vehicle is located out of Southampton, there will be additional costs for road transport in the UK.

Shipping methods and ports also play a big role in the cost of shipping a car from UK to Australia. Typically, there are options to ship via a container, RoRo, or a shared container. Southampton port is where we usually ship most vehicles heading to Australia. At the time of booking, we can explore the shipping options available to you to import car UK to Australia.

It’s also worth mentioning that there can be unexpected additional fees for things such as quarantine inspections, storage, and cleaning. If your vehicle fails Australia’s strict cleaning inspections at the port of discharge, there will be additional fees for cleaning. Although we like to give you a heads up, these car shipping UK Australia charges are out of our control. Minimise the chances of additional costs by presenting your car in a clean state and without any personal belongings.

In most cases, you will also need to pay 10%GST and 5% Duty to import car UK to Australia. Luxury car tax is an additional 33% if the value of your car is higher than $80,657. For fuel-efficient cars, that threshold is $91,387

You can import car UK to Australia if it meets specific conditions. You will not be able to buy just any car.

The Australian government has strict import requirements when it comes to used vehicles. Until an import license has been granted, vehicles purchased in the UK shouldn’t be exported to Australia. If you’re car shipping UK Australia before approval is given, you may be responsible for storage expenses and other charges. If approval is not issued, your vehicle will be denied entry and need to be exported or destroyed.

For an in individual, the most common approvals to import car UK to Australia are given if you’ve owned and used the vehicle for over 12 months. This is ideal for Australians looking to move back or UK citizens looking to migrate.

Another way to import car UK to Australia is if the year of manufacturing is 25 years old and over. This is ideal for car enthusiasts that can source a much larger pool of RHD classic vehicles in the UK.

There is also a way to import special purpose vehicles. These include garbage trucks and mobility vehicles that don’t comply with Australian Design Rules.

Regardless of the approval type, there are certain documents you must have ready for your application process. This includes proof of ownership and a certificate of roadworthiness from the country of origin. Having the correct paperwork ready will minimise the risk of delays when car shipping UK to Australia.

To import car UK to Australia, you should ensure that you get import approval before shipping. Consulting with a freight forwarder like Phoenix beforehand can help you get a general idea of costs and eligibility. Ultimately, it’s your responsibility to ensure that you have the right approval before car shipping UK to Australia.

Benefit: Saving money.

That’s right, sometimes, the cost of car shipping UK Australia will turn out cheaper than selling and buying again. If you try to sell the vehicle before moving, especially if it’s a late-model vehicle, depreciation can hit hard. Selling a used car is often a daunting task anyway. 

Buying a similar model in Australia, can often be more expensive due to a lower supply of used cars. Therefore, inflating the local market for used cars in comparison to the UK.

Temporary import for long-time travelers is also something to consider versus car rental costs. All of a sudden, car shipping UK Australia isn’t such a far-fetched idea.

Benefit: Keep the car you know and love, whether it’s a classic or family car.

Whether it’s a classic or a family car, you know exactly what you’re getting, having taken care of it yourself. Buying a used car while you’ve just moved to Australia will simply add yet another layer of burden to moving.

Drawback: Shipping car from Australia to UK or vice-versa takes a long time.

It will take approximately 2 months for your vehicle to arrive and clear customs here in Australia. That can be a deterrent for someone who doesn’t have an alternative mode of transport for that time period. Unexpected delays can push delivery dates even further. 

Drawback: Strict import regulations. 

To import car UK to Australia is not an option for anyone. Australia has strict import guidelines for used vehicles which is a deterring factor for many wanting to do so.

Ultimately, you must consider the financial aspect as well as factors like convenience and the reliability of your own vehicle. The cost of shipping a car from UK to Australia will be upwards of $4000 AUD and thus serious consideration is needed. 

Should snow be a deterring factor when considering to import car UK to Australia? 

The winter weather in the UK gets reasonbly colder than Australian winters. Therefore, snow and icy conditions are something UK roads are exposed to much more often. Local councils treat roads by applying road grit which contains de-icing agents such as salt to alleviate winter road hazards. How does this relate to car shipping UK Australia? Keep reading.

The problem when it comes to car shipping UK Australia is whether you’re importing a vehicle with signs of rust. That’s because on unprotected surfaces, salt will rapidly promote rusting on the metal parts of your vehicle. Any stone chips that brake through the paintwork could turn into rust spots. Underneath the vehicle, any metal parts without some form of protection will corrode over time. You can see how that’s a problem for someone purchasing online and car shipping UK to Australia.

Your cost of shipping a car from UK to Australia can skyrocket at the sight of rust. That’s because your vehicle won’t pass a roadworthy inspection which leads to costly repairs. In severe circumstances, returning the vehicle and shipping car from Australia to UK may be cheaper than repairs. 

Obviously, if you’re moving and looking to import car UK to Australia, you know the state of your vehicle well. The best thing to do to minimise the impact of salt in the road grit is to wash your vehicle frequently. For the underside of the vehicle, you should be applying some form of liquid underbody protection. 

Although much less of a worry, it also snows in NSW, Tasmania, South Australia and Victoria. Thus, to a lesser degree, the same considerations apply when shipping car from Australia to UK. Whether you want to import car UK to Australia or anywhere else, checking for rust is of utmost importance.

When you are moving country, it’s reasonable to take advantage of extra space and ship personal items with your car. However, there are limitations as to when and how many things you can ship. It will also affect the cost of shipping a car from UK to Australia.

That depends on the shipping method. If you’re looking to import car UK to Australia via the container method, you can include personal belongings. Everything must be documented and accounted for, but you can put things inside the container along with your vehicle. Of course, there are limitations depending on space available and safety precautions. Our container packing agents will follow the best practices to ensure a secure journey. We advise not to ship fragile items, such as plates, unsecured.

On the other hand, car shipping UK to Australia via RoRo doesn’t allow for personal items inside the vehicle. This is largely because insurance companies typically do not cover personal items shipped with your vehicle. The shipping lines do not want to assume liability either as things can get searched or lost along the way. A stuffed car can also make it a challenge for the vehicle to be driven onto and off vessels. It isn’t illegal to add personal items for car shipping UK Australia, but RoRo shipping lines can reject cargo. On the chance that they allow it, there are most certainly additional costs involved. 

Regardless, if you choose marine insurance when car shipping UK Australia, it doesn’t cover anything other than external vehicle damage. Thus, it is your responsibility to decide what items you’re shipping in the container to import car UK to Australia. In particular, we do not advise shipping high-value personal items such as jewelry.

When car shipping UK Australia they will most likely not weigh or measure common cars. To keep it simple, vehicles under 18cbm (most common) in size are charged at a set rate. Cubic meters (cbm) are calculated by multiplying the total length, width, and height of your vehicle. For example, say you want to import car UK to Australia and the vehicle is a 2014 BMW X3. The standard size for the vehicle is 4.684m (length) x 1.881m (width) x 1.675m (height) = 14.75cbm. In this case, the cost of shipping a car from UK to Australia is typically at a standardised fee for vehicles under 18cbm. 

On the other hand, vehicles larger than 18cbm are typically charged at a cubic meter rate. Larger SUVs, trucks, motorhomes, heavy machinery, and other large cargo fall in this category. Typically, you will provide the size and weight details of the vehicle to your freight forwarder. The freight forwarder will then pass on this information to the shipping line who may weigh and measure for confirmation. Phoenix Shipping works with the best contractors to minimise your vehicle’s shipping measurements in order to minimise the cbm cost. 

Sometimes, shipping companies may charge between the greater cost of size or weight. Things like heavy machinery and break bulk cargo which are typically heavier in proportion to size are charged in weight.

There are limitations to the size of the vehicle you can ship via container. Hence why shipping car from Australia to UK or vice versa via container is common practice. However, RoRo pricing for larger vehicles can depend on weight and size where measurements play a part on final cost.

You may think to yourself, how about I cut the middle man and save myself some money? The process of car shipping UK to Australia is quite a complex procedure. However, there is nothing stopping you from managing the import yourself instead of hiring a freight forwarder. The same goes for shipping car from Australia to UK.

We can challenge that argument by discussing how we can save you money as well as time by hiring one. That’s right, the cost of shipping a car from UK to Australia can actually be cheaper using a freight forwarder. 

On one hand, you are comparing experienced professionals versus someone unfamiliar with the process to import car UK to Australia. Specialising in vehicle logistics gives us an advantage over someone who isn’t in the industry. We’ve likely encountered all types of scenarios and know how to navigate through them. Our import car UK to Australia clients aren’t just individuals but also experienced vehicle traders. 

An integrated logistics chain is key to an uninterrupted service of shipping car from Australia to UK and vice-versa. Our established trade network means our system is much like a well-oiled machine. Logistics partners working together to ensure a streamlined and hassle-free process. Comparatively, a trucking company, shipping line, customs broker, and other contractors not communicating often lead to delays and additional costs.

Phoenix Shipping can acquire commercial rates when it comes to the cost of shipping a car from UK to Australia. Naturally, a repeat customer in any industry will be able to get more competitive rates. We’re able to pass these savings on to you and actually save you money compared to doing it all yourself. Thus, if we make the process to import car UK to Australia easier and cheaper, why wouldn’t you choose us?

The short answer is, car shipping UK Australia is very safe. Of course, there are no 100% guarantees and accidents in transit do happen. However, millions of vehicles are shipped safely each year through the RoRo and container methods. From brand-new luxury vehicles to used family cars, they are all shipped predominantly via these two methods. 

Safety often means avoiding the lowest-price car shipping UK to Australia service. Although tempting, providers with the lowest quotes often try and take shortcuts in order to compete at low prices. The best thing you can do is to check out their validated reviews on Google or other third-party platforms. Ratings and customer feedback will give you a good idea of their level of car shipping UK to Australia service. Phoenix Shipping and its contractors follow strict industry guidelines to ensure your vehicle is handled with utmost care. 

Car shipping UK Australia is generally done through container shipping from Southampton port. Your vehicle is packed in the container and strapped securely by each wheel to ensure no movement during transit. Unlike RoRo, there is limited handling of the car when shipping via the container method. Your vehicle is packed at the departure facility and remains untouched until delivery at the destination container unpacking facility. 

No one wants to import car UK to Australia and find any dents, scratches, or other damages done in transit. Before picking a freight provider, you must ask about the coverage they offer during transit. Phoenix Shipping offers transit insurance for complete peace of mind to import car UK to Australia. We do ask that you take clear and detailed pre-export photos to expedite any claim applications. 

Expertise: Unlike a regular freight forwarding company, someone that specialises in car shipping UK Australia is your best option. That is because the process to import car UK to Australia is different from general cargo. A regular freight forwarder that doesn’t have the experience and contacts like a vehicle specialist will struggle. If there are any unexpected obstacles along the way, you want someone that knows how to overcome them swiftly.

Cost-effective: Our buying power and industry knowledge allows us to offer extremely competitive packages regarding the cost of shipping a car from UK to Australia. We can negotiate favourable rates on your behalf and make the car shipping UK to Australia process an affordable solution. The same goes for the cost of shipping car from Australia to UK.

Customised service: Car shipping UK to Australia is not a cookie cutter service. It requires careful consideration as it can take more than 2 months and cost a significant amount of money. Phoenix Shipping is able to offer a variety of methods and timelines to suit your needs. Whether that is shipping via RoRo or container. We can also offer multiple shipping dates each month.  

Time-saving & convenient: We know the process to import car UK to Australia and keep up to date with the latest shipping regulations. We are able to streamline the entire process for you and assist with documentation preparation, customs clearance, through to delivery.

Global Network: Phoenix Shipping is part of a global network of freight forwarding agents. This means that we have the right contacts needed to offer a door-to-door solution. Whether you are shipping car from Australia to UK or vice versa, look no further. 

There are many misconceptions about car shipping UK Australia which simply aren’t true in many cases. Here are some of the most common ones which we’ll discuss further down below:

• You can import car UK to Australia of any kind.
• Guaranteed schedule.
• Save money by doing it yourself instead of hiring a freight forwarder.
• Car shipping UK to Australia is always the expensive alternative.

When you initially want to import car UK to Australia, the variety in the UK market is very exciting. However, many people don’t realise that they can’t infact import any car that they’d like from UK to Australia. That’s due to government regulations in place that limit what you can and can’t import. Therefore, it’s important to do your research before enquiring about car shipping UK to Australia.

Another misconception is that a freight forwarder can guarantee your vehicle will get to you by an exact timeframe. The global shipping network is a vastly complex and interconnected system. One issue can cause ripple effects across the network and cause unexpected delays for many unrelated shipments. That’s why in the case of shipping car from Australia to UK or vice versa, we give an approximate timeframe. That timeframe typically being up to 2 months to import car UK to Australia.

The cost of shipping a car from UK to Australia is often cheaper through us than undertaking the process yourself. Part of that is the established network helps us bring costs down for all of our customers. Another is the experience in navigating unexpected delays or issues during car shipping UK Australia.

Lastly, whether you’re thinking of renting or buying in the local market, one always assumes shipping isn’t worth it. You’d be surprised that when comparing the numbers, car shipping UK Australia can trump alternatives.

To import car UK to Australia, it can take more than 40 days in transit. Thus, we understand the need for transparency when it comes to the shipping process of your beloved vehicle. When you choose Phoenix for car shipping UK to Australia, you’ll have three options to track your vehicle in transit. Those being email, phone calls, and a vessel tracking link. Of course, the same tracking options are available when shipping car from Australia to UK.

Firstly, email communication are a crucial part of our service for car shipping UK Australia. All paperwork, key updates, and solutions will be communicated via email. From the very beginning where we calculate the cost of shipping a car from UK to Australia, through to delivery.

Secondly, phone calls are also a method to keep you posted on urgent matters and answer any quick questions. If there are major updates during the car shipping UK to Australia process, you can expect email and phone call.

Thirdly, a vessel tracking link is provided to track the vessel that’s been booked to import car UK to Australia. With this link you can track the vessel as it moves across ports and oceans to get to your destination. The tracking website comes with a map and regular updates of the vessels journey. Whether you are importing from the UK or shipping car from Australia to UK, it is a great tracking tool. Not only does it help you check on the progress at any time you’d like, but it also assists us.

We understand that keeping you informed in the car shipping UK to Australia journey is valued and appreciated. That’s why we continue to improve on our forms of communication to provide a better experience for all our customers.

When it comes to marine insurance related to car shipping UK Australia, it is better to be safe than sorry. That is not to say that the car shipping UK to Australia voyage is particularly high risk. However, there is always a chance that things can go wrong and damage does happen. Most recently, in July of 2023, a car carrier vessel caught fire believed to have been caused by an EV.

Now you may ask yourself, what if I don’t pay for car shipping UK Australia marine insurance? Well, there is a ‘limited carrier liability’ which covers a fraction of the vehicle’s worth. This comes with a lengthy process of investigation to determine liability. Opting to rely on limited carrier liability for your car shipping UK to Australia may mean that the payout is considerably less than the damage or loss. The same concept applies to shipping car from Australia to UK. These insurance rules generally apply irrespective of the departure and destination port. 

It is also worth noting that marine insurance is not regular car insurance. There is a high chance that your insurance provider will not cover the journey to import car UK to Australia. Therefore, you can either check the terms and conditions of your existing cover or contact them directly if you prefer. 

Phoenix Shipping can also arrange marine insurance for shipping car from Australia to UK or vice versa. Simply let us know in advance and we will add it to the import car UK to Australia package offered. 

As with regular insurance, there is a coverage fee and an excess fee in the case of a claim. We recommend you opt to include marine insurance in the cost of shipping a car from UK to Australia. 

Once the vehicle lands at the port of import after car shipping UK Australia, there are a few more steps. Australian Customs go through documentation and a vehicle inspection to make sure that everything is in order. This is why we ask prior to car shipping UK to Australia that you have all original paperwork ready. This includes things such as an ownership certificate, approved vehicle valuation, and personal ID verification. 

Once the vehicle is cleared through Customs, you must take it to a compliance center for vehicle certification. After you import car UK to Australia, this is a standard process to ensure roadworthiness before registration. Thereafter, you can register the vehicle and drive away with your new state-issued number plates. 

It is important to note that time is of the essence when you import car UK to Australia. Once the vehicle has landed at an Australian port, you want to minimise the risk of any foreseeable delays. The cost of shipping a car from UK to Australia can be heavily impacted by storage costs caused by delays. The port can charge as much as $100 per extra day that your vehicle is there due to unresolved issues. Things such as documentation, payments, and additional queries must be resolved by the set deadlines in order to avoid storage. 

However, there are cases where you need storage options as you import car UK to Australia ahead of your arrival. We can provide storage ranging between $10-$20 a day after car shipping UK to Australia, depending on the location. 

The same principles apply when shipping car from Australia to UK. You want to avoid delays where possible by having your paperwork ready and all queries resolved in a timely manner.