Bringing a vehicle to Australia
The simplest way to bring your vehicle to Australia on a temporary tourism basis is via a Carnet De Passages en Douane (CPD carnet).
Import a vehicle into Australia under a CPD carnet
CPD carnets can be obtained for motor vehicles, motorcycles, campervans, four-wheel drive vehicles, caravans and trailers.
A CPD carnet is valid for 12 months from the date of issue.
A CPD carnet must not be used for any country where the holder is normally a resident. The vehicles temporarily imported under 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.
To use a CPD carnet to temporarily import your vehicle into Australia, you must obtain the document before the vehicle arrives in Australia. Conditions attached to the use of CPD carnets in Australia include:
- The vehicle must be exported from Australia prior on or before the the CPD carnet’s expiry date.
- You cannot leave the vehicle covered by the carnet in Australia while you are not in the country. Doing so breaches the provisions of the Customs Act 1901 and Customs Regulations 1926. Once a breach has occurred, Customs will call upon the security amount equivalent to the duty and GST (and Luxury Car Tax, if applicable).
CPD carnets are issued in accordance with the Customs Convention on the Temporary Importation of Private Motor Vehicles.
Need a Carnet?
Registration requirements
All vehicles travelling on Australian roads must be covered by CTP (compulsory third party) bodily injury insurance.
This only covers physical injury to another person in an accident where your vehicle is at fault.
Owners/drivers must take out separate insurance to cover damage to their own vehicle and other people’s property.
Specific CTP requirements may apply in each State/Territory.
Process for extending an overseas CPD Carnet in Australia
The CPD carnet holder must complete a B257 form, from Australian Border Force.
AAA will then contact the overseas club, request a ‘No Objection’ letter to proceed with the extension and also request they seek additional security.
Upon receiving the ‘No Objection’ letter 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.
Border Force will decide whether to grant an extension and will inform AAA of the decision. AAA will then inform the issuing club.
The CPD carnet holder must have the inside front cover stamped, where it states ‘Extension of Validity’ with a carnet extension stamp and endorsed with the AAA stamp.
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.
Importing your vehicle without a CPD Carnet
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 apply. To apply for a VIA, contact the Vehicle Safety Standards Branch of Infrastructure.
