Import Boat From China to Australia. How it works, the cost and need-to-knows

On the hunt for a boat or yacht or in which to cruise Australia’s spectacular waterways and coastlines? If your research has led you to pursue purchasing overseas, China may not have initially been at the top of your list.

According to recent reports, while not synonymous with building luxury maritime vessels, China appears poised to become a powerhouse in this industry.¹ Providing buyers with greater choice and competitive pricing closer to home than compared with imports from the US or Europe.

If importing a boat from China to Australia is something you’re considering, we’ve got the details you need to get started. Covering how it works, import duties, which ports are used and more, here’s everything you need to know about this process.

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Table of contents

Can you import a boat from China to Australia? How does it work generally - Steps involved 1. Ensure compliance with Australian Standards 2. Research import requirements and gain approval 3. Adhere to biosecurity and quarantine legislation 4. Determine Customs Duty and GST 5. Prepare Documentation 6. Arrange Shipping Ways to import a boat into Australia Customs for importing boats into Australia from China What is the import duty on boats? Cost to transfer a boat from China to Australia Which ports are used to import boats from China into Australia How long does boat shipping take? What happens once you receive your boat Companies that handle boat imports into Australia from China Keep in mind Send money the Wise way

Can you import a boat from China to Australia?

Yes, it is permitted to import a boat or yacht from China to Australia.² However, several conditions and restrictions related to this must be adhered to and duties (taxes) may be payable.

We will review this in more detail below.

How does it work generally - Steps involved

To ensure a smooth importing process of a boat or yacht from China to Australia you will need to complete the general steps outlined below:

1. Ensure compliance with Australian Standards

Your boat must meet Australian standards for safety and equipment. It’s strongly recommended to verify these requirements before purchasing or beginning the import process.

Some boats may need modifications made to comply with Australian Design Rules (ADRs) or other regulations before import approval can be granted.

2. Research import requirements and gain approval

Australia has specific import regulations for vehicles, including boats. Managed by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications, these rules are enforced by the Australian Border Force.

In some cases, advance import approval must be obtained. As such, it is essential to familiarise yourself with these regulations, follow all instructions carefully and apply for approval as required.

3. Adhere to biosecurity and quarantine legislation

Australia’s stringent biosecurity laws require the boat to be free of contaminants such as dirt, algae or invasive marine species. You may need to arrange for professional cleaning or fumigation at an approved location before shipment or upon arrival and provide documentation as proof of compliance.

4. Determine Customs Duty and GST

Importing a boat from China to Australia generally incurs customs duties and Goods and Services Tax (GST). It's important to estimate what these will be prior to shipping to avoid any surprises. We will outline these costs in more detail below.

5. Prepare Documentation

Gather all legal paperwork, including the bill of sale, title of ownership, certificate of origin, insurance documents and any necessary permits. ​​You may also need documents specific to Chinese exports, such as a Chinese Certificate of Export.

Where these documents are not provided in English, translation by an accredited translator should be arranged.

6. Arrange Shipping

Lastly, you’ll need to arrange international shipping through a freight forwarder experienced with transport between China and Australia. Able to advise on appropriate packing, shipping methods and handling costs, they can also guide you on receiving your boat and completing customs clearance once in Australia.

Due to the complexity of importing a boat from China, working with a customs broker or import agent is strongly recommended. These experts can efficiently handle all documentation, guide you through the process and help prevent unexpected costs, stressful complications or delays.

Ways to import a boat into Australia

There are three ways in which to import a boat from China into Australia, these include:

• Shipping the boat as cargo on a ship, this may involve roll-on roll-off service (RO/RO) or having it containerised
• Air freighting it or
• Having it sailed under its own power into Australian waters

Customs for importing boats into Australia from China

No matter which method you use to import your boat into Australia from China, it will be subject to the same customs arrival formalities.²

This will typically involve³:

• An inspection by customs officials
• Assessment of duty and GST of the value of the taxable importation (this will consist of the customs value, any duty payable plus transport and insurance costs)
• A biosecurity inspection

The method of import and the specifics of your circumstances will determine how long this process takes and exactly what is involved.

What is the import duty on boats?

Currently, the customs import duty is typically set at 5% of the boat’s value – usually judged by the price paid. GST of 10% is also payable and calculated based on the purchase price of the boat, shipping and any other costs related to the import process.²

Cost to transfer a boat from China to Australia

Exactly what it will cost to transfer a boat from China to Australia will rely on several factors, many of which will be unique to your situation. These include:

• Whether any permits or approvals are required
• Method of import (sailed, shipped, air freighted)
• The size and weight of the vessel
• Whether any modifications are required for compliance prior to shipping
• Whether any cleaning and fumigation are required to meet biosecurity regulations
• The duty payable based on its value, shipping costs or similar
• Whether you engage a specialist importer to oversee the process
• Quarantine inspection charges and more.

As indicated previously, it is highly advisable to engage a professional specialising in boat imports to assist. Not only able to provide you with a clear indication of the costs involved, but they can also help to avoid any unexpected expenses along the way.

Which ports are used to import boats from China into Australia

Which Chinese port you can export your boat from will usually be tied to which freight company you engage. Most of these companies will have specific ports they utilise for operating these services.

As per the Australian Border Force, the ports permitted to receive boats for import in each state and territory are as follows⁴:

State or Territory	Port
New South Wales	Sydney Port Kembla (Wollongong) Eden Newcastle Lord Howe Coffs Harbour
Northern Territory	Darwin Gove
Queensland	Brisbane Bundaberg Cairns Gladstone Mackay Thursday Island Townsville Weipa
South Australia	Port Adelaide Port Lincoln
Tasmania	Hobart Launceston Burnie Devonport
Victoria	Melbourne Geelong Portland Westernport
Western Australia	Albany Broome Bunbury Carnarvon Dampier Esperance Fremantle Geraldton Port Hedland

As seen on 28 October 2024

NB: It is recommended to check directly with the Australian Border Force before sailing or shipping your boat from China as these ports can be subject to change.

How long does boat shipping take?

Shipping a boat for import by sea from China to Australia can take between 30 to 50 days. Your chosen method of transport and other factors regarding permits, compliance, biosecurity or similar will all influence this timeframe.

Additional time for customs clearance and any inspections on arrival should also be factored in.

What happens once you receive your boat

Once your boat has successfully cleared customs and you have paid all duties and taxes owed it will then need to be registered for use. This is done with the maritime authority in the state or territory where it will be primarily used or moored.

After registration is completed, transport from the arrival port to its new mooring location can be arranged and you are free to begin using and enjoying your new boat.

Companies that handle boat imports into Australia from China

Several dedicated freight forwarding and customs brokerage companies are available to assist with importing a boat from China to Australia including:

• Aurora Yacht Logistics
• DAZMAC
• Cassie Freight International
• Smith Lewis & Staff

We suggest seeking out customer reviews and testimonials alongside information on experience, insurance and any licensing before deciding on a provider.

Keep in mind

Before deciding to import a boat from China into Australia, we advise keeping in mind a few key points:

• If purchasing the boat without visiting China in person, it is recommended to only work with reputable sellers to avoid potential scams.
• Some materials such as wood or asbestos can be restricted for import due to safety or biosecurity concerns so be sure to check your boat meets the rules concerning these.⁵
• If sailing the boat into Australian waters, you must provide advance notice of at least 96 hours to the Australian Border Force.³ Additionally, all crew must have appropriate travel documentation including visas for entry into Australia.
• Boats manufactured in certain countries such as the USA may be exempt from import duties due to existing trade agreements. At this time, no such agreement exists between China and Australia so this should be considered when weighing up costs.

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This article is purely for general information purposes and is not to be taken as financial advice. We recommend that you obtain independent financial advice before making any form of decision.

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Sources:

1. Superyacht Times - Market Insights pg.1
2. Australia Border Force - Boat/Yacht Imports
3. Australian Border Force - Import Factsheet pg. 1, 2, 3
4. Australian Border Force - Ports
5. Australian Maritime Safety Authority - Asbestos

Sources checked on: 28 October 2024