For everyone's info, we just put this out on our mailing list: ---------------------------- After many months of speculation, the Minister for Local Government, Territories and Roads, Jim Lloyd has finally announced via media release the discontinuation of the 15 year old rule in it's current guise as of today, February 7th, 2005. As of this date only vehicles manufactured before January 1st, 1989 will be eligible for import without restriction, vehicles newer will be subject to SEVS eligibility and will need to be complied by a Registered Automotive Workshop. Exemption has been given to anyone who has made a financial commitment prior to today... this means anyone who has purchased a vehicle already but has not yet brought it into the country can still import it under the now old 15 year old guidelines. The evidence necessary will be prove that you have purchased a car before today will most likely be a copy of the transfer of funds for a specific vehicle. The reasons for this change, according to the media release, is that the importation of 15 year old vehicles is not in line with current government policy regarding the continuous improvement of safety and emissions of vehicles in the Australian fleet, and that the scheme which was intended as a means of enthusiasts to import older, unusual vehicles is currently being used as a 'loophole' to import cars which don't meet this criteria. The media release also makes mention of the the rule being extended to a 30 year old rule after this current 'buffer period' expires, however the specific workings of this and its implementation are not discussed. There are some 15 year old vehicles currently still in Japan for which J-Spec Imports' agents have Australian import approval for, and as such can still be imported even after today. We will indicate which of these vehicles on our mailing list can still be purchased and imported shortly. J-Spec Imports will NOT increase prices on any vehicles we have control over to capitalize on any panic which may ensue as a result of this change, we do however expect vehicles to sell quickly as they are the last and only chance to import certain models manufactured after Jan 1st, 1989. For anyone who wishes to read the full media release it can be found here: http://www.j-spec.com.au/MediaRelease.pdf And an FAQ on the changes to these laws: http://www.j-spec.com.au/FAQ.pdf Regards, The J-Spec Imports Team -------------------------- Things are kind of frantic at the moment so I'll have a bit more info for people and the consequences of this a little later on, but the gist of it and what it means for the future is pretty clear. Ben
it means that only raws and the over 30 year imports are allowed in. considering there is a limited range in the raw's scheme it just a bloody shame.
Any chance this rule could be abolished in the future? (change of government etc) Is it set in stone for good? Or are there any loop holes to get around getting a post 1988 car into Australia?
I don't see it as bad as that It would seem that there is still the ability to import anything made before 1.1.89 and have it escape the RAWS scheme. This obviously excludes all Z32's. This date will remain fixed instead of moving each year until perhaps 1.1.2019, by which time the 30 year rule, if its put in place, would start to apply. Plenty of time for things to change though. Anything made after 1.1.89 will need to be on the Specialist and Enthusiast Vehicle Register to be imported. The Z32 (and a fair few other Nissans) are still on this list - but maybe Blip knows if this is up for review. These approved vehicles could still be imported, but subject to RAWS compliance. My understanding is that this would exclude the highly modded specials such as the yellow Pentroof Z that Blip linked to a couple of times. Two vehicles that seem to take a hit that have previously been imported are the Mitsubishi FTO and the Toyota Surf as they are both now on the banned list - and both were previously brought in quite frequently.
What this means for Z's 2 seater TT's and NA's are eligible for import under SEVS criteria, as are 2+2 NA's and TT's manufactured after 1996. This means they are permitted to be imported as they meet the necessary requirements, the most obvious being that they were not sold locally. What doesn't exist at this point in time is a RAWS workshop that is able to comply them. They would need to put together an evidence pack and perform accident and emmissions testing to prove that these cars can be made to meet ADR's. RAWS workshops at present are still struggling to get cars through and at present none I know of are working towards this evidence for Z's (probably due to the 15 year old rule, by which Z's could be imported cheaply). I have spoken to one particular RAWS workshop we have a good relationship with and they would be willing to bring in a test Z vehicle and get SEVS compliance for it. So, the bottom line is Z's will sooner or later be able to be imported but I would guess it'll be 6 - 12 months, if someone's keen for one (in particular a later model) to be the test vehicle then things can get moving sooner. Mikey you are correct that under SEVS cars imported must be stock, so indeed modified Z's (of which we were importing a few) will no longer be an option. You're also right about Surf's no longer being eligible, but FTO's are... they are in the same boat as Z's... eligible for import but no one has compliance for them yet. Ben
15 Year Rule change I purchased a Zed on the 3rd of Feb., but have not processed my import approval form and have just got off the phone with Justin Bryan from DOTARS to clarify my situation. Thankfully I will be ok. Been waiting 4 months to find exactly the right car I was after but in the end knew the rule would change and settled for another colour ( will still keep my member signature). Justin said that you can still can get import approval until the new changes gets gazzetted which could happen as soon as March. For your own queries or to confirm this you should call him on 02 6274 7426.
15 year old rule not quite dead yet Save me typing out an explanation, an email from our mailing list: ----------------------------- After discussion with DOTARS and consultation with our lawyers, we have determined some new and interesting developments with the recent termination of the 15 year old rule which was not initially clear in the media release and FAQ made available to the public. According to the media release, vehicles purchased prior to Feb 7th 2005 can still be imported under the old 15 year old law. However, there is a brief period between the media release of Feb 7th and when the regulations are ammended during which 15 year old vehicles can still be purchased and import approval can be applied for. While no firm timeframe can be given for this period before the ammendment is made, we believe it will be approximately 3 weeks. During this time any 15 year old vehicle purchased MUST have import approval applied for before the ammendment, and the vehicle must be 15 years or older during this time, meaning only February 1990 vehicles and earlier can be purchased. Since the exact date of the ammendment coming into effect is not known, to be safe any vehicles purchased must have import approval applied for on the same day as purchase and buyers must be able to pay for cars immediately. We expect that there will be an increase in the price of some cars (particularly those at auction) however the extent of this is difficult to tell. Whatever the case this is the absolute last opportunity to purchase some models (even if it is at a slightly higher price) and if interested people are encouraged to contact us immediately as time is short. Regards, The J-Spec Imports Team ---------------------------- So bottom line is, there is 3 weeks left to buy a 15 year old import, after that it's all over. Ben
What about import for RACE use? CAMS etc.. As me and my bother are going to put our $$$ together to buy a FD or FC RX-7 race spec car, for use on the track. My bro has the appropriate CAM's license as well, I don't yet. But I will.
Race imports can still be brought in although note that neither the FC or FD (to my surprise) are FIA approved cars so getting them in takes some work, but I know of ways to do it. Ben
Re: Race imports can still be brought in On another note, it will mean that the value of our cars wont continue to fall, they could even rise again.
what are the rulings on bringing in a car that will never be registered, never be raced and never be wrecked i.e. it will just sit in my garage collecting dust?
15years... I guess if it wasn't for the 15 year rule and a reasonable price, some advice from some Z owners and specialists I never would have bought a Zee, You can see where some people get into greif with a Zee, either Neglect from themselves or previous owners from not wanting to spend the bucks, or taking it to a so called 'Mechanic' that didn't know what he was tampering with, I didn't buy my Zee for an investment, there are better things to invest in, I look at it as a whole lotta car for the money, sheesh Commodore only got quad cams and variable valve timing what 5 months ago??? and the blue oval fans that go on about the 4lt turbo thingy making bulk horsepower, soon go quiet when u remind them what the R32 GTR did in '89.. ha ha but I'm not biased, lots of things have their good points... sheesh, my '99 Harley was 30 years old when it was made.. but I Love riding that as well, I guess if a workshop applies to bring them in under the raws deal, some will still come in, a little more money for compliance but still come in.... ...cheers from the New Zee owner, not quite licenced, but well on it's way.. :thumbsup:
