Import · USA → Australia

Importing a US muscle car to Australia: the real compliance cost

Australia is the toughest mainstream destination — compliance, not tax, is where the money goes.

By Sofia Berg, Customs & compliance writer · 7 min read

Duty and GST are modest, but SEVS eligibility and RAWS compliance plus possible RHD work dominate the budget.

Confirm the exact model is on the SEVS register before committing.

The full cost breakdown

Plug in your own purchase figure — everything below the vehicle scales only modestly with value. All amounts are researched 2026 estimates in USD.

Estimated landed cost — US muscle car, USA → Australia, 2026
Vehicle (purchase price)	$50,000
Export agent & auction fees	$1,200
Ocean freight	$3,200
Marine insurance (~1.5%)	$750
~5% duty (FTA may reduce)	$2,698
10% GST on customs value plus duty and freight	$5,665
Customs broker & port handling	$830
EPA / DOT entry & compliance paperwork	$300
Inland transport & registration	$1,500
Estimated all-in landed cost	$66,143

Vehicles must be SEVS-eligible and pass RAWS; left-hand-drive cars often need remanufacture to RHD.

Biggest cost?+

Compliance and any RHD conversion, not duty.

Check first?+

SEVS eligibility for the exact model.