Importing a Boat to Australia

[meyermm]

Originally Posted by Dragon Lady

Bugger that, my fridge isn't worth it. Looks like someone in Noumea will get a free fridge.

Thanks for the heads up on that guys, I'm sure it too late once you get here to do anything but pay.
By the way how do you tel what refrigerant you have?
Or is it the old guilty until proven innocent rule?

Not sure about this fridge thing what precisely was the $1000 for?
I hold an automotive Air license and cars use R134 which is the international standard these days. Some fridge systems use a different gas which is not allowed in Australia. As long as you can prove the gas in the system is approved standard there should be no problem. Degassing legally via evacuation into a retrieval cylinder by a licensed tradesman should not cost max more than a $175A and thats allowing for travel etc.
R134 is used on boat systems but other gases are still used in other parts of the world in great quantities. For some unknown reason only gases like R12 emitted from first world countries attacks the ozone layer hence Australia US and western Europe have very stringent $$$$$ rules and regulations.

[Factor]

Depends where the boat was manufactured. Buying something in the states is not an immediate avoider of duty.

[boatman61]

Beneteau USA

[Morrissey]

Originally Posted by meyermm

Not sure about this fridge thing what precisely was the $1000 for?
I hold an automotive Air license and cars use R134 which is the international standard these days. Some fridge systems use a different gas which is not allowed in Australia. As long as you can prove the gas in the system is approved standard there should be no problem. Degassing legally via evacuation into a retrieval cylinder by a licensed tradesman should not cost max more than a $175A and thats allowing for travel etc.
R134 is used on boat systems but other gases are still used in other parts of the world in great quantities. For some unknown reason only gases like R12 emitted from first world countries attacks the ozone layer hence Australia US and western Europe have very stringent $$$$$ rules and regulations.

Here is some info - haven't tried to understand it all since it seems to me that this permit thing is just another government rip-off. But if you arrive with a gassed unit you will have little choice. Importing vehicles, boats, caravans or any other equipment that may contain refrigerant gas into Australia - What you need to do

[Dragon Lady]

Originally Posted by meyermm

Not sure about this fridge thing what precisely was the $1000 for?
I hold an automotive Air license and cars use R134 which is the international standard these days. Some fridge systems use a different gas which is not allowed in Australia. As long as you can prove the gas in the system is approved standard there should be no problem. Degassing legally via evacuation into a retrieval cylinder by a licensed tradesman should not cost max more than a $175A and thats allowing for travel etc.
R134 is used on boat systems but other gases are still used in other parts of the world in great quantities. For some unknown reason only gases like R12 emitted from first world countries attacks the ozone layer hence Australia US and western Europe have very stringent $$$$$ rules and regulations.

So how do I know if my fridge has good or bad gas?
I assume it is French/European made 2002 to 2003.
It's a piece of crap so I have no qualms about ditching it.

[Morrissey]

The guy who told me about the "government sting" (he was unimpressed ....) said it didn't matter what gas was in it, but I haven't verified that. But re-gassing here is not a drama at all, as meyermm has said.

[dennisail]

The 5% duty column can be left out when filling the spreadsheet if the boat you purchased was built in the US.

AFAICT people were being stung $400 for the "importing" a "charged" device with refrigerant gas. I think this applies to all gases. Possibly the $1000 fee was due to a non compliment gas needed to be evacuated and re filled. However this needs confirmation. In any case I would just empty it and be sure not get the fee. Re charging is not expensive and might even get an older device to work more efficiently. My mate can do it for nothing for me.

[meyermm]

Originally Posted by Dragon Lady

So how do I know if my fridge has good or bad gas?
I assume it is French/European made 2002 to 2003.
It's a piece of crap so I have no qualms about ditching it.

You would need a certificate of some sort so I suggest if the fridge is to be replaced removal might be simpler.

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by dennisail

Why did it only take them one month not 3?

Thats to get ON the boat. Then you start your own admin.

[Aussie_Sequoia]

Pre-Charged Equipment Licences - Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989

In response to a post above wondering where the $400 number came from... this page explains the $400 pre-gassed equipment permit cost. If a person is importing less than 5 units (eg: is not a commercial importer) there is a fee waiver and the new charge is $400.

[Dragon Lady]

Interesting this seems to apply to air conditioning rather than refrigerators.

[Aussie_Sequoia]

Good point. I had been directed here by another cruiser who imported a refrigerator. I'll have to look further into it. Thanks for that.

[onthehunt]

Originally Posted by dennisail

I am working on my own guide but I have never actually done it. Basically I am gathering information for my own knowledge so I know it all before I do it. I will show this to everyone and keep updating it to be as accurate as possible.

Denis/et al

My boat is on its way and expected to be here in about 4 weeks. Any guide that can help me get the import paperwork done without mistakes would be appreciated - even if it's written on the back of beer coasters. I certainly don't want to raise the ire of the local authorities. Let me know if i can "proof" read your guide for you and test it out.

[Dragon Lady]

Is it coming in on it's bottom or is on a ship?
Make sure you give the three days notice required.
Let us know how you go, my boat has just passed Tahiti.

[Factor]

Originally Posted by Dragon Lady

Is it coming in on it's bottom or is on a ship?
Make sure you give the three days notice required.
Let us know how you go, my boat has just passed Tahiti.

4 Days - 96 hours (unless the journey is less than 96 hours)