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Import Vehicle Compliance Australia

Import Vehicle Compliance Australia

Asbestos and SGG Requirements for Motor Vehicle Imports

Import vehicle compliance in Australia is complex, highly regulated, and strictly enforced. If you’re managing commercial shipments or arranging a personal vehicle import, understanding car import compliance requirements is essential before your vehicle leaves the port of origin.

Australia maintains tough controls around asbestos in vehicles, as well as strict licensing requirements for synthetic greenhouse gases (SGG) and ozone-depleting substances (ODS). Australia’s car import asbestos regulations are among the strictest in the world, zero tolerance, prohibiting the import of any vehicle containing asbestos in any component. Even small parts such as brake pads, clutch linings, gaskets or heat insulation materials can trigger compliance issues.

Failure to meet import car compliance requirements can result in detention, testing, seizure, re-export costs and significant financial penalties. Early planning, testing and documentation are critical to ensuring a smooth border clearance process.

Below is a high-level, practical overview of key compliance requirements when importing motor vehicles into Australia.

1. Asbestos Prohibition (Critical Requirement)

Importing vehicles containing asbestos is strictly prohibited in Australia. This applies to all vehicles, including cars, trucks, motorcycles, and used or new vehicles.

High-Risk Vehicles

  • Older vehicles
  • Vehicles manufactured for non-Australian markets
  • Vehicles with original or unknown replacement parts

Common High-Risk Components

Asbestos is most commonly found in:

  • Brake pads and brake linings
  • Clutch linings
  • Gaskets and seals
  • Heat insulation materials

Evidence Requirements

Supplier declarations alone are generally not accepted by Australian Border Force (ABF).

Acceptable evidence usually includes:

  • Test reports from a NATA-accredited laboratory, or
  • Verifiable manufacturer documentation clearly confirming the absence of asbestos

ABF Powers and Enforcement

  • ABF may detain, seize, test, or direct re-export of a vehicle if asbestos is suspected.
  • Testing is carried out by an independent, qualified assessor.
  • All associated costs (testing, storage, re-export, or disposal) are payable by the importer.

Penalties

Unlawful importation may result in:

  • Seizure and disposal of the vehicle
  • Significant financial penalties
  • Possible imprisonment for serious breaches

Recommended Pre-Shipment Actions

  • Arrange a professional asbestos inspection prior to shipping
  • Replace any high-risk components with verified asbestos-free parts
  • Retain all inspection and testing records for customs clearance

Importer Responsibility: It is the importer’s legal responsibility to conduct due diligence and ensure that no asbestos is present in the vehicle.

2. Synthetic Greenhouse Gases (SGG) & Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS)

Under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989, it is an offence to import equipment containing controlled gases without the appropriate licence or exemption.

Where These Gases Are Found

  • Vehicle air-conditioning systems
  • Refrigeration or climate-control equipment

Key Import Options

1. Licensing (Pre-Charged Equipment Licence – EQPL)

  • Required if importing vehicles containing controlled refrigerant gases and no exemption applies.
  • It is recommended to apply for a licence if the importer cannot determine the total volume of SGG / ODS to be imported within the year.

2. Low Volume Exemption

  • Allows import of up to 25 kg total of SGG per calendar year.
  • Applies to:
    • Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
    • Perfluorocarbons (PFCs)
    • Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6)
    • Nitrogen trifluoride (NF3)
  • There is no limit on the number of vehicles or consignments.
  • Records must be retained for 5 years to demonstrate compliance.

3. Personal Use Exemption

  • A licence is generally not required if:
    • The vehicle has been personally owned and used overseas for more than 12 months prior to import

4. Degassing Option

  • Licence requirements can be avoided by:
    • Having the air-conditioning system fully degassed by a certified technician prior to shipment
  • Written evidence of degassing should be retained.

New Import Bans (Effective July 2024)

  • Australia has banned the import of small air-conditioning equipment using refrigerants with a Global Warming Potential (GWP) over 750 (e.g. R-410A).
  • The ban applies even if the equipment is imported empty.

3. Practical Compliance Checklist

Before shipping your vehicle:

✔ Confirm the vehicle is asbestos-free

✔ Obtain acceptable testing or manufacturer evidence

✔ Assess whether SGG/ODS licensing or exemptions apply

✔ Degas the air-conditioning system if required

✔ Retain all records for customs clearance and future audits

Declarations Are Not Evidence

The Asbestos Declaration and Low Volume Equipment Declaration completed by the importer only confirm that the importer has undertaken due diligence and holds supporting documentation.

These declarations alone do not provide sufficient assurance if Australian Border Force (ABF) or the Department of Energy, the Environment and Water (DEEWW) requests documentary evidence. Importers must be able to produce acceptable supporting documentation upon request.

4. Key Takeaway

Importing a motor vehicle into Australia involves strict compliance obligations. Failure to meet asbestos or SGG/ODS requirements can result in serious delays, costs, and penalties. Early assessment and proper documentation are essential to a smooth import process.

Need Support With Import Car Compliance?

Navigating import car compliance requirements, asbestos in vehicles regulations and SGG licensing obligations can be complex, particularly when managing international shipments.

Jacanna works with importers to plan compliance requirements prior to shipment, coordinate documentation, and reduce the risk of delays at the Australian border.

If you are planning to import a vehicle into Australia and want to ensure your compliance obligations are managed correctly from the outset, speak with our team before your shipment departs.