Last updated: 22 October 2026

You can ship a car from the UK to Australia, but you must get Australian import approval before it leaves, have it thoroughly cleaned, and make sure it contains no asbestos. Once those boxes are ticked, the car travels by ro-ro ship or in a container on a voyage of several weeks. Here is how the process works.

Step 1: Get vehicle import approval first

Australia requires an import approval for almost every road vehicle, issued by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts. Australian Border Force advises not to arrange shipping until you hold an approval, and it is an offence to import a road vehicle without one. A complete application is generally assessed within about 30 working days.

Step 2: Check for asbestos

Importing asbestos into Australia is prohibited. Some older cars contain asbestos in brake pads, gaskets or clutches. Make sure the vehicle is asbestos-free before shipping. If Border Force considers your car at risk, you may need to provide assurances or pay for it to be held, sampled and tested.

Step 3: Clean it thoroughly for biosecurity

Australia’s biosecurity rules are strict. Your car must arrive clean and free of soil, plant material, seeds and insects, including underneath, in the wheel arches, engine bay and boot. Biosecurity officers inspect vehicles on arrival, and you pay the inspection charges. Many owners pay for a professional steam clean before shipping to avoid extra cleaning costs in Australia.

Ro-ro or container shipping?

How long does it take?

The voyage from the UK to Australia takes roughly 5 to 7 weeks depending on the route, ports and transhipment, plus time for customs clearance and biosecurity inspection on arrival.

Duty, GST and Luxury Car Tax

When the car arrives, Australian Border Force may charge customs duty, GST of generally 10% of the taxable value, and Luxury Car Tax on vehicles above a set threshold, at 33% on the amount above it. Border Force issues an outstanding payment advice when your import declaration is processed, and the car is not released until the approval is shown and charges are paid. Check current rules and any exemptions for your situation.

Travel with your car?

If you are emigrating, you may want to travel by sea too. Some cargo ships on the UK–Australia route carry passengers, so you can sail on a container ship while your car is shipped. Ask us about combining passage and vehicle shipping.

Frequently asked questions