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
Bookmarks