Singapore’s Certificate of Entitlement (COE) system limits how long a vehicle can stay on the road without a renewed COE. When a COE expires, the owner can renew it or deregister the vehicle, so some used vehicles are sold for export. If you are looking to import a car from Singapore to Australia, Personal Import can help you navigate the process, from checking vehicle eligibility and assisting with import approvals to arranging shipping, customs clearance and compliance.
Singapore has high vehicle ownership costs and periodic vehicle inspections, but condition varies, so each vehicle should be checked before you buy. Vehicles sold new in Singapore commonly include Japanese, Korean and European brands.
If you’ve found a vehicle you want to import, Personal Import can help you understand its eligibility, navigate Australian import requirements and arrange the shipping process. We’ll help you identify the necessary steps before you commit to your purchase.
Importing a car from Singapore into Australia generally requires an import approval, and the right approval depends on the vehicle and your circumstances. Three common options are shown below, though other approval types may apply. Since Singapore vehicles are generally right hand drive, most eligible cars avoid the added cost and complexity of conversion.
Singapore drives on the left, so vehicles sold there are generally right hand drive. This can remove a conversion step that buyers importing from left hand drive countries such as the US or Europe need to plan for. Each vehicle still needs an import approval and must meet Australian requirements.
Singapore’s Certificate of Entitlement (COE) system limits how long a vehicle can stay on the road. A COE can be renewed for 5 or 10 years, depending on the vehicle category. If it is not renewed, the vehicle must be deregistered, which is one reason some used vehicles are sold for export. Condition varies, so each vehicle should be inspected before you buy.
Once the required vehicle import approval has been granted, we can coordinate freight forwarding in Singapore and arrange shipping to Australia. Depending on the vehicle and shipping requirements, options may include roll-on/roll-off transport or container shipping, with marine insurance arrangements available.
As experienced vehicle import specialists, Personal Import coordinates vehicle import approvals, shipping, customs clearance arrangements, biosecurity requirements and applicable compliance work. We can also assist with the registration process in your state or territory, subject to local registration requirements. Our volume of shipping also means we receive preferential rates for car imports. Used vehicles must meet Australian biosecurity cleanliness requirements. Inspections or additional cleaning may be required before a vehicle can be released.
Importing a car from Singapore involves genuine complexity, from confirming eligibility to navigating customs and compliance. Our team supports every stage of the process, so you can focus on the vehicle itself, not the paperwork.
Let Personal Import handle the entire process for you, from shipping to compliance. Contact us today for a seamless car import experience!
Generally not. Singapore drives on the left, so vehicles sold there are generally right hand drive. The vehicle still needs an import approval and must meet Australian requirements.
Singapore’s Certificate of Entitlement system limits how long a vehicle can stay on the road without a renewed COE. When a COE expires, owners can renew it or deregister the vehicle, and some vehicles are sold for export. Condition varies, so each vehicle should be inspected before you buy.
Shipping times vary depending on the departure port, shipping method and available vessel schedules. The overall import process can also involve approval, customs clearance, biosecurity checks and compliance requirements. Contact our team to discuss the arrangements for your vehicle.
