Is it worth shipping my truck from California to Sydney, Australia?

Question

I'm going to work down there for at least a year on a skilled worker visa. How much will it cost to ship and how much for customs and other fees?

2001 Nissan Xterra 4-WD
It's worth $9,000 on Kelly Blue Book
own 100% - no payments

Thanks!

Answer 1

i don't know the cost to ship it call a few shipping agents to get a idea but it will be a fair bit, Your main problem it that is left hand drive & all vehicles in aussie are right hand drive, unless you can get a special permit or convert it to right hand drive you cant use it here.Also it must meet australian safty standerts

Answer 2

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Answer 3

This is going to depend on how much you love your truck. We shipped a truck from Hawaii to California. That trip alone was $450. You would have to check with companies that do international shipping for a shipping cost. NVOCC is one. You have to obtain "VEHICLE IMPORT APPROVAL", Pay Customs duty, GST and Luxury Car Tax (LCT) where applicable and obtain a customs clearance at the port of entry;and Obtain quarantine clearance from the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) after the vehicle has arrived at the port of entry. If you don't there can be an additional fee of $12,000. Remember this is in Australian dollars. One thing to figure is if you were to sell your truck would you get $9,000 from it? What would it cost for you to purchase a vechile over there? Kelly Blue Book is a good point of reference but generally it is off by about $2,000 what a person would pay. My 03 Monte they said was worth $12,000 I got $9,500. I have posted a website for their customs. Hope this helped.

Answer 4

Not worth it. I assume your truck would have the drivers seat on the left hand side, being an American car. This means you will need to get a special left hand drive permit to register it in Australia, which can be a pain in the **** to arrange, and means you might not ba able to use for all situations.

Then you need to get it inspected and registered (depending on the state you are working in) and arrange insurances, which again, can be a major hassle in most states.

Then you need to worry about different grades of fuel available in Australia. If it runs on regular unleaded or diesel, you shouldnt have a problem, but if you need premium unleaded in the US, you'll have a problem because our octane rating isnt as high here.

It really isnt worth the hassle, just buy a ute when you get out here, you can pick them up pretty cheap in most cities, and sell it when you leave.

Answer 5

I have been to both goregeous cities and love them both. But I'll take Paris over Sydney. Only because, I live in Los Angeles California and the Australian weather and lifestyle are similar to our lifestlye and weather in California. Paris and the French culture were more of a "Big Adventure" for me. So I'll choose Paris.

Answer 6

You will need to check with a shipping company that handles international shipping. But, I suspect they sell trucks in Australia and it makes more sense to sell and take the cash for a car there.

Better ask on Australia Yahoo, if one exists, what cars sell for there. But, if they cost a lot, that means you can get your money out.

Another issue, never take a car to a country that does not supply parts and service for that car. My daughter took a Toyota with her to Spain when she was in the Air Farce, and she was really hassled when she'd have to ask her grandpa in Florida to ship her brake drums or pads.

Answer 7

There are a few things to consider:
- whether you need to use your car everyday.
- How much to transport it?
- How much you get when you sell it?
- How much you can buy one in Sydney?

I am not sure about the price differences in California and Sydney. You better check this out. Maybe it is cheaper to sell it and get a new one here.
Consider that you can save the money from transporting it.

Answer 8

no. because u will need to register the truck as a left hand driving vehicle which cost a small fortune plus shippping costs and then i doubt anyone would buy it there as it has the steering weel on the left side. but maybe worth checking anyway?

Answer 9

Not sure if it would be worth it.You might be better off buying another truck there.It was going to cost my friend two grand to get his truck off Kodiak Island to the mainland in Anchorage and it's still twenty five hundred miles to the US border from Anchorage.How about mass transportation?

Answer 10

NO. I would see if there is anyone coming back to the states, like if yo u are replacing someone. other countries have different emmison standards and different gas too. plus you can experience driving a right side drive car and driving on the left side of the road. you will also have to get a Aussie driver's license.