HOW TO Ship your overland vehicle to Australia

[@briangudger3466]

I've never felt more like someone on KZbin was speaking directly to me to talk me out of a hair-brained idea than I did just now. LOL. Awesome reality-check with this video. I do like the idea of buying and bringing back... Great suggestion!

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Haha, happy to hear it was helpful... I think!?

[@nwbronco1972]

Right there with you, I've dreamed of shipping my old Bronco to Australia and experiencing their beautiful country....sigh....guess I'll start buying lotto tickets lol

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

.. or just buy something awesome in Australia and have adventures! Don't put your dreams on hold waiting for lotto... that's never going to happen!

[@brentp556]

Wow! I couldn't believe my eyes when the notification popped up today. I was literally researching this exact topic yesterday. Thanks so much for the amazing information and advice.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Glad it was helpful!

[@don7294]

We rented and borrowed the vehicles we used for our adventures in Australia. Of course, we were lucky enough to have a number of close friends who helped us find rides. We figured we would still save money even if we payed for a number of upgrades to the rigs we drove. We loved our trips.

[@mikehogan9265]

Just returned from 2 wonderful weeks on Moreton Island. If you can get to Australia don't miss Fraser and Moreton Islands. The Outback is not the only great place! I do have a modified 2017 Pajero with a lift kit, snorkel, bull bar, AT tyres and long range fuel tank. But my previous 2015 Pajero was stock and highly capable without any mods. You don't have to go overboard with a lot of gear to see Oz. However there is an enormous amount of great gear which is very tempting!

[@wesleymcgonagle3394]

I'm from Australia, living in the Great Plains area and love my Jeep. did a ton of research and agree that its way to much hassle. So last visit I decided to rent a Troopy Camper the month I was home (Which got me a cheaper rate for the Monthly Rent) drove it all over my old stomping ground (Brisbane) with my girlfriend who had never been to Oz. it was totally a better option for us. We did think about buying older and bringing it back to the US. Great information.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Thanks for sharing!

[@robertvoss9111]

So much more easy to fly to Australia and buy / make a vehicle there i think 🤔

[@PaydayGabeBCNV]

I'm only a third into the vid and came to the exact same conclusion. Buy, drive and sell in Oz. 🤷‍♂️ back to the vid.

[@underthemicroscope9225]

It's easier to buy one in Australia, And cheaper. I know, I did it. worked well and I sold it The week before I left.

[@CAJones-bu6tu]

An Aussie told me once that in Australia the insurance is tied into your registration. Seems simple for over landing to go buy one with the Insuance already in place.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Yes, that's usually how it works, and it's not hard for a visitor to register a vehicle in their name.

[@4bnewb969]

Just be aware the insurance tied to the vehicles registration covers the ‘person’ (effectively medical, hospitalization, recovery etc) NOT property. There needs to be separate insurance to cover the other parties vehicle and your vehicle repair. Cheers from ‘Oz’...👍

[@L-lp9fl]

Thank you, the things you talking about really makes so much sense. What about renting A vehicle?

[@The4x4Lab]

I think that would make sense for a shorter trip. Buying is probably an option if you are planning a year-long adventure.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Exactly what George said!

[@WalkingStones]

The headache with Carnet is even bigger than you said. You only have 12 months between the date of issue and the date of having the car back in your duty zone, so for shipping car from and to Europe you waste about 3 months, leaving no more than nine months for travelling.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

That's a really good point I hadn't considered!

[@ebikeengineer]

Great video, but it crushed one of my dreams. My 15 year old LJ will never pass the cleanliness test. I want to drive Australia, but I want to do it in a vehicle I spent years building up and driving around. Your tip on buying one when you get there is great for guys that like to buy/sell their vehicles at whim; that's just not my style.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Oh, you can certainly make it clean enough - people DO take older vehicles, it's just a lot of hassle.

[@mugumyapaultheafricannomad9488]

One time I was contemplating idea of struggling with countries where it's hard to temporarily import a car and though I don't love motorbikes I was like! I think I will just go to a country, buy a $500 or $1000 small motorcycle and ride it across the country then sell it off at half the price and I avoid myself the pain of struggling with all hustle to import my car temporarily. I actually think of doing that in Egypt here in Africa. About australia, as u gave all this information my mind was drafting ways to hire a car from someone there or to buy a simple car and drive it there then sell it at half what I paid.... This kind of stuff u give is great for proper planning

[@ReduxGarage]

Dan, what keeps me from seriously considering this is what my life will be like when I return. What happens to my employment prospects? What if I don’t get a job right away and I’ve had a great trip but I’m in financial ruin (paid for the trip no problem but no income upon return)? I own my home and nearly have the mortgage paid off? What happens there? ...you get the point, video on realities of returning would be a very interesting topic to me.

[@The4x4Lab]

I will try to summarize the question since I'm also interested in this topic :) Dan, how can one (and you) afford to go on these adventures?

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Great question, I will film a video about it soon for sure!! As for affording it overall, I've covered that before, notably here kzbin.info/www/bejne/d5ebgoSJq9aGn68 I also just filmed a video about earning money on the road, it will go live on Monday.

[@ReduxGarage]

George Kandilarov that’s not really my question but I think Dan got my gist.

[@AndrewBrowner]

finding a job to keep the lights on and house in youre name really isnt that hard, i have pretty minor mechanical skills and little experience, showed upto another province with no plan or knowledge here passed out 6 resumes for a position ive had before in equipment rentals and got 5 requests for interviews, several times ive shown up in towns thousands of kilometers from my home and found work within a week almost everytime, one time i struggled and it took a month, these are decent jobs with lots of overtime and pay 2-3 times minimum wage for someone in thier early twentys with no schooling in the matters you just have to wing it basically, take what you can get if bills are due and if you dont like the gig keep passing out resumes and filling out appliations on your lunch or after work

[@devinmanderson]

So taking my 93 dodge diesel on a trip across Australia is pretty much pissing in the wind. Compared to everything I see down there I'd be driving a big rig pretty much.

[@rosssyster]

From my understanding vehicles shipped into Australia have to be shipped empty (as in empty of all belongings) also. Overlanders typically acquire loads of things on the road over the years and all of those little things that make life better or easier would have to be pulled from the vehicle and shipped separately including all cookware, tools, clothing, pretty much anything that isn’t bolted down.

[@gibrigg]

Great content and info! Thanks for posting.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Thanks for watching!

[@danielbernier9115]

Thank you ,Dan ! Lots to consider.

[@gavinwilliamson3944]

If buying a car in Aus and you plan to be there for several years. Look at what state you buy it in as for example NSW requires yearly inspections. Grey Nomads normally have VIC registrations so they don't have to return to get Rego renewed. Just pay it online. Also Vicroads lets you pin the Rego to a PO Box(I'm told). You need a physical address for Rego and Insurance. Though a lot of Gray Nomads and foreigners, I'm told use a caravan park address for example. They organize to leave their contact details with park staff to forward rego papers. Another hint for Rego and insurance is use a country address. Rego and especially insurance will be cheaper. This is due to the perceived risk is lower to the insurer due to lower claims. It does vary between towns. I moved from one small town to another less then 10KM apart. When I ran up to change my address details. I had to cough up another $150 as I was in a hire risk area supposably.

[@michaeldallimore8590]

While you will need a physical address for the state in which the car is registered initially you can do everything by email with online payments, at least in the State of Victoria.

[@gavinwilliamson3944]

@@michaeldallimore8590 I agree. But you need somewhere for all those letters that show up. You know the ones. That come in a blank envelope, with "Road Safety is all Victorians responsibility" printed on the back. All those supposedly "safety cameras" fines are sent by mail.

[@TristanNicolas]

Yes, buy in Australia and sell afterwards. We have so many already prepared second hand 4wd for sales, at every price points. If you have a good budget, I would ask Andrew Saint Pierre White to build you a Troopy!

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

I think you mean "If you won the lottery", ask ASPW!

[@TristanNicolas]

@@TheRoadChoseMe true.. but at the same time, I think his car is not much less expensive than most 4wd channels in Australia. Chopped 200 series, $200k off road caravans, etc... 😄

[@yorkchris10]

Hostels in Oz have bulletin boards with people buy/sell 'safari' vehicles. I think those are easy to get and sell in Sydney. I don't know why more off-roaders don't go to other countries with classic 4x4's like UAZ in former eastern block or Thar in India. SE Asia has classic Jeeps's and other neat stuff.

[@mos6146]

Wow ! Got half way through and gave.........

[@guledhirsi4279]

Essential information indeed

[@TaleOfTwoIdiots]

Great advice as always, but there still is something appealing about the idea of driving my trusty №5 Jeep across the Outback. Oh well, maybe when I win the lottery.

[@BuckTravis]

Great advice! Thanks.

[@robertcheng7735]

Love your videos! Could you make one explaining how you wash and more specifically dry your clothes while travelling?

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Ask and you shall receive ! - kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXLTm5KIaMt-ldU

[@MogsAndDogs]

Thanks for the info

[@federicoacker5672]

Hi mate, very good information. One thing just cross my mind: how can you buy a car in Australia if you are a tourist? how do you register that vehicle? Thanks! cheers!

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

It's very easy, tons of people do it.

[@henrycolestage7650]

What are the restrictions on non-Aussies buying and registering vehicles? That is a real issue in South Africa (very hard to do for non-SA citizens). Thanks!

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

It's not hard, many people do it every year. For what it's worth, I met people that did it in South Africa. It's a pain, but it can be done.

[@jacktyler7599]

Dan, your ultimate recommendation may be the best one...but I sense little real world experience is behind them. All the way across the Pacific in our boat, we heard this nonsense about wood being a big Customs issue (our entire interior was wood construction), and the boat had to be 'white glove' clean (with 10 months of sea growth since the Canal?). None of it proved true. Oz authorities do indeed take their rules seriously but they also operate in the real world. When we imported our boat, there was a whole new set of rules that applied...and again, they were understanding. This was true for all the Milk Run sailors who arrived in Bris that year, without exception. Maybe someone had a bad experience?

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

I think containers and vehicles are selected "at random" for deeper inspection, and everyone that gets selected has a bad time. I've heard it from the personal experience of more than 10 overlanders.

[@gaj5701]

Processed woods, like plywood, MDF or chipboard as used in cabinetry, is generally OK. It's more solid wood items that are a problem, especially if it looks like it's been carved out randomly rather than commercially bought, as the source of the wood could be in doubt. In any case it's just a visual check for any signs of animal presence. The car cleanliness checked with a white cloth glove is also a myth as OHS would prevent the inspector from running his hand over anything. No matter what stories are told, I'd guess nobody has been present at the inspection of their vehicle & whilst most seem to get hit with a fumigation bill, odd ones do slip through. Simply do your best & expect it. I know this from emigrating to Oz with a shared container full of stuff, including someone elses classic car btw.

[@BigFriendlyTruck]

Just watched your video , thanks, could we talk , I have driven from uk in my historic Mercedes camper truck , with my 12 year old so. , heading to Australia and into NZ before driving back , need to ask more q,s about rules etc on quarantine stuff , thanks , Rufus

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Hi Rufus, join my Patreon and we can have a consulting call if you like

[@iconiic1234]

In the case of Victoria (And I believe most other states too), it's actually 75mm lift total which can be made up of a 50mm (~2inch) suspension lift, and 25mm lift from tyres (~1inch). While generally speaking you can get away with bigger tyres and lifts with regards to being pulled over, 40" tyres and 6.5" lift's are cop bait, and ESPECIALLY tyres sticking outside the guards or stubby/stinger bars. A lot of people also get picked up for either not having mud flaps, or that they don't cover enough of the tyres. Also, vehicles in Australia can be "Engineered" so that you can run larger tyres and lifts (To a limit set by each state), so it's not totally uncommon to see legal vehicles on 35's or 37's, with 3-4 inch lift kits. And then there's a bunch of people who run those without "engineering" (Because it's very expensive and time-consuming) and just take the chance haha.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Thanks for the info. If it's gets engineered in one state, does that apply to all states? My understanding is no, so even if you have the Vic engineers certificate, you'll get a ticket and put off the road if you drive into another state.

[@iconiic1234]

@@TheRoadChoseMe Kinda. E.g. If you're engineered and the vehicle is registered in VIC, you can travel to other states and as long as it's legal in VIC, you're fine as it complies with the laws of the state it's registered in. If you move to live in another state and register the vehicle there though, the engineering cert is worthless, and you have to go through the process again... That being said, there are a couple of rare cases where a cop is having a bad day and they'll book an engineered vehicle anyway. While it doesn't hold up, it's usually a massive inconvenience especially if they sticker it and you can't keep driving.

[@youtubecarspottersguide1]

d max or ranger diesel raptor . import 25 yr rule good luck in California

[@johnfitzgerald5158]

Begs the question of how the authorities would know the stock suspension height vs lifted vs leveled (which isn't technically lifted) or what the stock tire size vs aftermarket tire size on a vehicle not offered in Australia. More and more vehicles are running off the assembly line on 35s in the US and there are many off-road trim packages that already sit higher, but it's technically factory. Now if one were to put on 37s we're talking 1". A mild suspension lift another 1". I get the gist that it's going to get more attention. I'm wondering if they have other steadfast rules like max bumper height or some kind of wheel base vs bumper height calculation. I remember living in Massachusetts for a while and they would always crack out the tape measure during state inspection on my TJ, which was mild compared to these days.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

The sticker inside your drivers door lists the factory tire size. And certainly a mild lift will go un-noticed, but obviously if you install a 4" or 6" lift it's going to be mighty obvious.

[@aasphaltmueller5178]

in Europe : there are "type permits" for vehicles -the cop has acces to all the stock stats of your vehicle in the database, and then he can check if mods are approved generally (CE sign) or you got a permission from DMV, some mods are generally allowed (10% bigger tyres, Fog lamps)

[@JeremyPetho]

The laws only allow you to modify the height a certain amount from standard without an engineers certificate. The laws and how strictly they enforce them vary between state. Some states may allow 2" larger diameter tyres and 2" lift, other states may only allow the vehicle to be 2" higher than standard overall. Other mods such as big tyres, big lifts, beadlocks, rear steer, coil conversion, solid axle swaps, etc. all need to be inspected and certified by an engineer that they are safe and still meet legal requirements. This is not all relevant to a tourist temporarily importing a vehicle, but it still helps to know the laws because the police can still give out tickets without even measuring anything because of something they "suspect" might be illegal. Then it is up to you to prove you are allowed to do it or that it is not illegal. The big thing they always go for is tyres sticking out past the guards, it would be foolish not to at least have rubber flares covering them. Mud flaps is also a must, cops won't be happy if they are driving behind you on a dirt road and you flick up a rock and smash their windscreen.

[@alexandermeijer]

very helpful. how do you get your vehicle insured, when you don't live in the country?

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Countries have a way for foreigners to do that, though comprehensive is usually astronomically expensive, so most overlanders don't get it. I'll do a video on it soon.

[@alexandermeijer]

@@TheRoadChoseMe I mean when you buy one locally.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

No problem in Australia. Some countries it's tricky, but there's always a way.

[@philiphannum4211]

Well this is discouraging. I have dreamed about bring a Jeep down to the downunder and seeing if it could handle some of the tele-tracks that the natives run. Like the Canning Stock Route. Wow, what a trip that would be. Or Cape York Track / Old Telegraph Track, another classic trail I dream of doing.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

And you absolutely can! Just buy one when you get there, it will be a million times less hassle.

[@cams6310]

Great video! What’s your experience going the other way round, shipping a vehicle from Australia to elsewhere? Are there any rules regarding driving right hand drive vehicles in countries where left hand drive is standard?

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

As a tourist, using the temporary import system, you can drive a "wrong hand drive" vehicle in almost every country in the world (Saudi Arabia might be the only one right now that expressly forbids it)

[@cams6310]

Great thanks Dan! :)

[@fabulousoffroaddesigns5080]

Is it true that they don't allow left hand drive vehicles at all?

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

No. For temporary import (for tourists) things like that don't matter. But again, entirely different story if you are Australian and want to import it permanently.

[@JeremyPetho]

Left hand drive has been allowed in Australia for about 20 years now. They just cost slightly more to register. Most of the RHD conversions were imported before 2000, these days it is done to imports more for the convenience.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Even new vehicles? I thought there was an age restriction.

[@JeremyPetho]

​@@TheRoadChoseMe Yes that is true, some states have age restrictions and some don't. Also changes if its a personal import or imported to sell. I believe if someone moves to Australia and brings their LHD car with them, it can be registered (might vary between states)

[@Stinkbatz]

But how do you register a vehicle in Australia if you aren't from this country respectively are a tourist?

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

It's not hard. The registration places (like the DMV) will help.

[@jeffsedillos963]

I want to ship the other way? From AUS to USA permanently. Is that the same process?

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

No, it's not nearly as strict, should be much easier.

[@5150Lane]

If I shipped my vehicle to Oz, and they decided they wanted to clean it for me, do they also wax it when they are finished? lol

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

For the price you'd hope so!!

[@stephenmewett8114]

What age can you port a 4wd for American or canda do you no ?

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Vehicles must be 15 years old to be imported into Canada, and 25 years old for the USA.

[@rajeshtelang4910]

Can a tourist buy a vehicle and get registered in Australia specially when he don't have address ?

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Yep, it's not hard at all. You just use the address of a hotel, or hostel, or campground or something. TONS of people do it all the time.

[@questioner1596]

"Australia is very safety conscious." So we shouldn't take Mad Max as a documentary on Australian car culture?

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Haha, I grew up about 3 hours from where that was filmed :)

[@GATORADDAM]

Wow! Just WOW! Sounds like Australia is not my kinda place after all. To many laws - to many rules. That plus their strick gun control laws and I think I'll hang out here! But what about if you just wanted to explore the outback for a couple or few weeks? Can you rent an off road vehicle and do that? Do you need 20 permits to drive and camp the outback? Kind of like rafting though the grand canyon. There's like a 2 year wait for a permit I understand.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

For sure you could rent something and go for it, no permits required for many places, only some places need them.

[@adelarsen9776]

Personally, I'd be inclined to drive my 4wd to Australia. I'll take my chances at a land border crossing. From what I've heard the border guards with AK-47's don't have them loaded anymore and you get across the border with a smile, bottle of Vodka and carton of cigarettes. That's why I did last time. No wait, that was Azerbaijan. Oops, sorry. :-) I'm easily confused.

[@1FiftyOverland]

I wanna ship my F150 to Australia to prove it is a great overland veh.

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

Just remember that engine and transmission and body are essentially non-existent in Australia. If you have problems, getting parts and support will be exceptionally difficult.

[@1FiftyOverland]

@@TheRoadChoseMe This is true, but the veh is a very solid veh. I, at this point know the weak points, and I can take spare parts.

[@DannyK1992]

I think Australia is the only western country that requires a Carnet de Passage

[@TheRoadChoseMe]

That might be true. You can bring a foreign vehicle into the EU without one, though they may ask for a deposit, which gets refunded when the vehicle leaves again.

[@DannyK1992]

@@TheRoadChoseMe Yeah it is true The rest of the countries that require carnet are developing nations in Asia and Africa And Iran requires it as well So yeah, Australia is the only western country that requires carnet

[@DevonReclaimed]

But I want to import my Lexus GX 460 to Australia just to show off to all the Prado guys lol

[@Onward4x4]

Aside from all the strict laws, I hear Australia has the biggest and meanest bugs too... yikes!

[@offthebeatenpath9144]

To sum up..............don’t.

[@jairo19992]

Can we be friends?🙏

[@latebowl1]

I was waiting for you to say its hard and there are tons of rules and limitations. Didnt have to wait long, Australia is the land of rules and banning stuff is our national past time. My advice; dont try shipping your car to Australia. Save your money and go somewhere better.