Here is more info on Asbestos https://www.abf.gov.au/prohibited-goods-subsite/files/fs-asbestos-risk-importing-vehicle.pdf

Have you organised a VIA? if not leave the car in Japan until you have. Read this. https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/i...ehicles/importing-road-vehicle-australia I know of people who did it wrong and can never drive the car, it was allowed in as a parts car and that is it. Also keep all that paper work as often a second owner has real hassles getting an imported car registered without proof it was imported with a valid VIA meaning a lot of people will not buy it from you years down the track..


A few points on the VIA.

  • Make sure you get a VIA from Department of Infrastructure before the car arrives. Infrastructure legislation states that any vehicle that arrives before a VIA is issued must be destroyed by Customs.
  • Arrival from a customs point of view means the date the ship arrives at the port the first piece of cargo is unloaded, if the ship goes from Japan to Brisbane arriving 1/5/2023 to unload a container and then to Sydney arriving 5/5/2023 to unload your car and your VIA is issued 4/5/2023 then tough luck legally the car must be destroyed even though you have the VIA before the ship arrived at the port you are interested in.
  • I know of people who have had cars arrive early, the easiest solution to not have have the car destroyed is to ship it to New Zealand and leave it on the wharf and then put it on another ship to come back. It can not stay on the same ship as it is then the same vessel/voyage that has already arrived in Australia. Not cheap as you have to pay for the costs of the car being taken on and off a ship in New Zealand and any storage costs but at least the car can then arrive in a later Vessel/Voyage.
  • Before I could get a VIA I had to own the car overseas and then arrange for an engineer (I got one from the SEVS register) that department of Infrastructure has approved to make sure the car meets Australian Design rules. Unless you have an engineer lined up to do the work they will not issue the VIA.


In 2002 (well before Asbestos rules came out) I bought a Nissan Silvia S13 Convertible through an Importer who specialized in importing cars under the SEVS rules. A car that went for $7,000AUD at a Japanese auction ended up with the right paper work and a compliance plate for registration under the Special Vehicles ACT on my driveway for about $19,400AUD ($3,000 of that being the SEVS Engineer). I then had to pay for a temporary one hour permit to drive it to get it inspected and another one hour permit to get it weighed at a weighbridge before they would issue me a weekly permit while I had a few repairs done to get it passed for ACT Registration. If the car couldn't be made roadworthy to pass registration then not sure what I could do, probably be very upset I has wasted nearly $20K

I then owned the car for 18 years before it was written off by a hail storm and loved it. Would I go though the hassles again? Yes if I had to, in 18 years I have seen 3 S13 Convertibles come up for sale so probably easier to find one overseas even though they are rare overseas as well. For a car like a MGB when there are always a few for sale I would buy locally. For a Morgan? It would have to be a good buy to go through the hassles seeing there are a few cars available locally on Car Sales.