i have a few updates which i think should have been posted in this thread..
1) Until the changes in the 15 year rule are officially "gazetted" (ie. printed in the Govt. Gazette) in either late Feb or early March, it is possible to keep buying and importing 15 year old vehicles (and applying for import approvals) that are CURRENTLY eligible (ie. up to and including Feb 1990 built vehicles);
2) Any Import Approval applications made for vehicles with a build date beyond March 1990 will have to include proof of financial commitment made prior to the announcement of Feb 7th 2005. This would entail evidence of payment for the vehicle, ie. funds transfer to Japan. Meaning of course that it is too late now to purchase any more Mazda Cosmos (first production date March 1990) and Mitsubishi GTO's (first production date Oct 1990), but if you have financially committed to one of these vehicles or another of the same age prior to this date then you will be able to obtain an Import Approval once it turns 15 years old;
3) After the changes are gazetted in March, all subsequent Import Approval applications for vehicles with a build date between Jan 1989 and Feb 1990 will have to include proof of purchase prior to the gazetting date, and Import Approval applications for vehicles with a build date between March 1990 and Dec 1990 will have to include proof of purchase prior to the media release of Feb 7th 2005.
CHANGES TO IMPORT ARRANGEMENTS – OLDER (USED) CLASSIC OR
HISTORIC VEHICLES
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1) What changes are being made?
The Government has decided to replace the “15-year-old” scheme with a new
exemption for hobby & recreational vehicles. This change was announced on 7
February 2005.
Similar to the 15-year-old scheme, the new scheme provides older vehicles with an
exemption from Australian safety and emission standards. Vehicles are cleared for
import, without the need to comply with the ADRs.
Hobby vehicles traditionally perform low mileages and are imported in limited
numbers. These vehicles therefore represent a minimal risk to overall Australian
safety and emission goals.
Amendments to the Motor Vehicle Standards Regulations 1989, implementing the
changeover, are expected to be finalised shortly (before the end of February 2005).
Once the Regulations are amended, the 15-year-old scheme will no longer be
available to vehicles manufactured after 1 January 1989.
2) Will older vehicles still be available for import?
Yes. The ability of enthusiasts to obtain hobby & recreational vehicles will be
preserved.
The purpose of the exemption is to allow the importation of enthusiast (eg, classic or
historic) vehicles, destined for restoration and hobby use. An exemption is provided,
as individuals may find it uneconomic to import these single, one-off vehicles under
established certification mechanisms.
Traditionally, popular models have included the Ford Mustang, the
Chevrolet Corvette, the Porsche 911, the Chevrolet BelAir and the
Chevrolet Camaro. These models have centred around vintages from the 1960s and
1950s. Many other classic models have also been imported under the scheme. These
types of vehicles will continue to be catered for under the new exemption.
3) What is the new exemption?
The new exemption allows the import (without restriction) of all vehicles
manufactured before 1 January 1989. By nominating a specific date, the “buffer”
period (between hobby vehicles and mainstream vehicles) will be gradually extended
over time – up to a maximum of 30 years. This proposal generally preserves current
arrangements. 1988 (and earlier) model vehicles will continue to be available under
the exemption. The changeover will be introduced gradually, to allow importers and
owners time to react to the (revised focus of the) exemption.
In addition, a transitional arrangement will also apply. This arrangement applies to
importers who have made a financial commitment on a vehicle before 7 February
2005. The 15-year-old scheme will continue to apply for these vehicles, until
31 December 2005. That is, the transition applies to vehicles manufactured up to the
end of 1990. The purpose of the exemption is to provide a gradual changeover.
For those vehicles manufactured on or after 1 January 1989, and that are not covered
under the transitional arrangements, importers will need to have their vehicles
certified (as complying with the ADRs) under the Department’s Registered
Automotive Workshop (RAW) scheme.
4) Why did the Government make these changes?
The changeover to the new scheme will reinforce Australia’s vehicle safety and
emission standards. The 15-year-old scheme had been used to import regular,
mainstream vehicles in commercial quantities. These vehicles did not fit the “classic
and historic” profile. In particular, these mainstream vehicles were previously
imported through normal channels, and had been checked to ensure that they were
compliant with the standards. However, under the 15-year-old scheme, they
by-passed compliance with the Australian standards. By changing to the new scheme,
the Australian community will retain the certainty and confidence of a certification
system (for safety and emission standards).
The changeover will also ensure that vehicles supplied to the same market are subject
to the same regulatory environment. Under the previous scheme, the same vehicles
were supplied by two parallel systems (one based on compliance, one unregulated).
Many commercial importers had been placed at a commercial disadvantage, and were
leaving the industry. Imports of under-15-year-old specialist and enthusiast vehicles
had dramatically declined.
The new scheme will reduce cost pressures on mainstream businesses, and promote
the import of specialist vehicles of all ages. The Government’s intent is to provide a
level playing field. Vehicles – intended for supply to the same market – will be
subject to the same standards.
5) What is the transitional arrangement?
The transitional arrangement will apply to importers who have made a financial
commitment on a vehicle before 7 February 2005. This arrangement will cover those
importers (agents and owners) who have purchased vehicles and stored them
temporarily overseas – awaiting the time they qualify under the 15-year-old rule.
These importers will not need to dispose of the vehicle.
The 15-year-old scheme will continue to apply for these vehicles, until
31 December 2005. That is, the transition applies to vehicles manufactured on or
before 31 December 1990.
6) How long will the transitional arrangement last?
Import applications will need to be lodged with the Department on or before
31 December 2005. Applications may only cover vehicles manufactured on or before
31 December 1990.
7) What evidence will be required for the transitional arrangement?
Evidence that the importer has made a financial commitment. This includes
purchasing the vehicle, or otherwise taking an equity interest in the vehicle, before 7
February 2005. Satisfactory evidence would include an invoice or receipt clearly
identifying the vehicle.
Will the transitional arrangement still be based on the month of
manufacture?
Yes. These features of the previous (15-year-old) scheme will apply equally to the
transitional arrangement. The vehicle must be 15 (or more) years old when making
the application.
9) Will RAWs be able to plate vehicles more than 15 years old?
Yes. Vehicles manufactured on or after 1 January 1989, and entered on the Register
of Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicles, may be handled and certified by Registered
Automotive Workshops (RAWs).
10) What will happen to pre-existing older vehicle approvals?
Pre-existing approvals will continue to apply. Once approved, the vehicle is cleared
for entry into Australia.
11) What did the Government have regard to, when making its decision?
In deciding to replace the 15-year-old scheme, the Government assessed the
performance of the scheme against its goals. In particular, the objective of the scheme
was twofold:
1. to promote the availability of hobby & recreational enthusiast vehicles within
Australia. Their restoration, display and use (eg, in social events, such as
rallies) is a recognised and long-standing recreational activity within Australia;
and
2. to also support the wider goals of safer roads and cleaner air. For example,
vehicle standards are generally recognised as contributing towards Australia’s
National Road Safety Strategy 2001-2010. The strategy target is to save 3,600
lives by 2010 and to permanently reduce annual road deaths by 700.
The Government considered the impact of the 15-year-old scheme on the industry and
on the Australian community, and also considered submissions received from
stakeholders. The Government concluded that – while the scheme successfully
achieved the first objective – it failed the second objective. In particular, the scheme
had created arbitrary and artificial distortions within Australia’s motor vehicle
industry.
12) What consultation process was used?
In January 2004, the Department distributed a discussion paper, outlining the
proposed change and seeking comment. The paper was formally distributed to a wide
range of stakeholders. Since the release of the discussion paper, DOTARS has
received responses from stakeholders – some 737 submissions in total – from State
and Territory Governments, industry peak bodies, members of industry, and
individual importers and owners.
13) When will the Regulations be amended?
Amendments to the Motor Vehicle Standards Regulations 1989, implementing the
change, are expected to be Gazetted before the end of March 2005.
14) Can I continue to import vehicles 15 or more years old until the
Regulations are amended?
Yes. Until the Regulations are amended, the 15-year-old scheme continues to apply.
However, the vehicle must be 15 (or more) years old when making the application.
15) Where can I get information on RAWS?
Information can be found on the RAWS website at
http://raws.dotars.gov.au. This
site contains links to general information about RAWS, guides to RAWS, relevant
legislation and a search facility.
If you cannot access the internet, you can call the RAWS team (02 6274 7297); they
will provide you with a hard copy of the information.
16) Where do I get information on vehicles entered on the Register of Specialist
and Enthusiast Vehicles?
Information regarding the Register is available from the RVCS website at
http://rvcsprodweb.
dot.gov.au. The website provides a list of vehicles that are SEVS eligible,
and also a list of vehicles that have been ruled as not SEVS eligible.
17) What if the vehicle I want to import was manufactured after
1 January 1989 and is not SEVS eligible?
You will not be allowed to import the vehicle under the RAW scheme.
For further information please contact the Department of Transport and Regional
Services.
Phone: Justin Bryan 6274 7376
Email:
[email protected]