Importation of pre-1989 Vehicles

The Department of Infrastructure has recently changed the application of the rules governing the importation of  pre 1989 vehicles.

The change relates to vehicles that have been modified. The department now assumes that if the vehicle has been modified then it cant be imported under the pre 1989 rules unless the importer can  prove that any modifications to the vehicle were done prior to 1989.

The policy that the Department has now commenced implementing can be summarised as follows:

• Original and unmodified (factory specification) vehicles manufactured prior to 1 January 1989 can be imported without restriction. Import approvals will be granted as per previous policy.

• Restored (factory specification) vehicles manufactured prior to 1 January 1989 can be imported without restriction. Import approvals will be granted as per previous policy.

• Modified vehicles originally manufactured prior to 1 January 1989 can ONLY be imported if the owner can demonstrate that the modifications were completed prior to 1 January 1989. Import approvals will only be granted after the Department is satisfied that the modifications are pre-1989.

• Modified vehicles originally manufactured prior to 1 January 1989 can NOT be imported if the modifications were completed after 1 January 1989, or if the owner can’t demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Department that the modifications were completed prior to 1 January 1989. The date of manufacture will be reset as the date the modifications were completed, and if that date is post 1989 the application will be rejected

While the aim of the change in application of the rules was not meant to stop the importation of genuine restored vehicle the department's definition of modification says anything that is not as per the manufacturers original specifications is modified.

As a result of Queensland's representations the department has now attempted to clarify the issue of importing pre 1989 vehicles. Read the clarification  word document by clicking here it will put you mind to rest

Check the new rules before you consider importing a vehicle under the pre 1989 rules.