IMPORTING YOUR VEHICLE INTO AUSTRALIA UNDER THE COVER OF A CPD CARNET

The simplest way to bring your vehicle to Australia on a temporary tourism basis is by Carnet De Passages en Douane (CPD carnet). CPD carnets can be obtained for motor vehicles, motorcycles, campervans, four-wheel drive vehicles, caravans and trailers. CPD carnets are issued in accordance with the Customs Convention on the Temporary Importation of Private Motor Vehicles.

A CPD carnet must not be used for any country where the holder is normally a resident. The vehicles temporarily imported under cover of a CPD carnet must not be loaned, abandoned, sold, mortgaged, hired, exchanged, given away or otherwise disposed of while in Australia. CPD carnets are available from the motoring organisation in your country of residence.

If you are going to use a CPD carnet to temporarily import your vehicle into Australia, you must obtain the carnet before the vehicle arrives in Australia. A CPD carnet is valid for 12 months from the date of issue. There are some conditions attached to the use of CPD carnets in Australia, which are:

• The vehicle must be exported from Australia prior to or on the expiry date of the CPD carnet.
• It is a condition of use of a CPD carnet in Australia that you do not leave the vehicle that is covered by the carnet in Australia while you are not here. Should you do so, this is a breach of the provisions of the Customs Act 1901 and Customs Regulations 1926. Once a breach has occurred, the security amount equivalent to the duty and GST (and Luxury Car Tax (LCT), if applicable) will be called up by Customs.

All vehicles travelling on Australian roads are required to be covered by Compulsory Third Party CTP (bodily injury) Insurance.  This insurance covers physical injury to another person in an accident where your vehicle is at fault.  For insurance, which covers damage to property or your own vehicle, owners/drivers will need to take out separate insurance?

Specific CTP requirements may apply in each State/Territory.  Click the State/Territories below for requirements:

Australian Capital Territory
New South Wales
Queensland
Victoria
Tasmania
South Australia
Western Australia
Northern Territory

The CPD carnet holder contacts the originating overseas club or contacts AAA and requests an extension. AAA will require the following documents:

• copy of the carnet front and inside cover
• copy of the counterfoil when they entered Australia showing date and port
• where the carnet holder is currently situated
• copy of their visa
• copy of their passport

The procedure for extending a carnet is listed below:

• The CPD carnet holder is also required to complete a B257 form, from Australian Border Force
• AAA then contacts the overseas club and requests for a ‘No Objection’ letter to proceed with the extension and requests they seek additional security.
• Upon receipt of ‘No Objection’ letter from overseas club and proof of additional security paid AAA will then issue a ‘No Objection’ letter for the extension and forward the required documents to Australian Border Force.
• Australian Border Force will decide if the extension will be granted.
• Australian Border Force will then inform AAA of their decision. AAA then informs the issuing club of the extension. CPD carnet holder is required have the inside front cover stamped, where it states ‘Extension of Validity’ with a carnet extension stamp and endorsing it with the AAA stamp. AAA will advise the CPD carnet holder of details of the club to have this completed.
• The CPD carnet holder will then go to the Australian Border Force for final endorsement.
•  The CPD carnet holder should send a copy of the extension endorsed by the Australian Border Force Authority back to AAA.

Vehicles temporary imported into Australia without a CPD carnet will be required to provide security with Australian Customs and Border Protection Service on arrival in Australia.  The vehicle cannot be released until all Australian Customs and Border Protection Service and Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development requirements have been fulfilled.

If you import a vehicle without a CPD carnet, you will require a Vehicle Import Approval (VIA), fees are applicable.  To apply for a VIA from the Vehicle Safety Standards Branch of Infrastructure.