Australian vehicles are popular in PNG. They're right-hand drive, built for rough roads, and often cheaper to buy here. But the purchase price is only the start. Before you ship, budget for PNG's vehicle excise and GST, and make sure the car is clean enough to pass biosecurity.
This guide walks through the shipping options, the real cost of importing a vehicle, the cleaning standard to aim for and the documents you'll need. It's part of our complete guide to shipping from Australia to PNG.
Key points
- Vehicles travel in containers or as roll-on roll-off cargo, depending on what services are available.
- PNG excise on vehicles ranges from 20% to 120% of the import value depending on engine size, plus 10% GST.
- PNG Customs warns the extra costs can often double the purchase price of a vehicle.
- Vehicles must be thoroughly clean; NAQIA can order cleaning, treatment or reshipping.
- Vehicles left at a Customs wharf for more than 30 days are forfeited to the State.
Container or roll-on roll-off?
| Method | How it works | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| 20-foot container | One vehicle, chocked and lashed inside a container | Standard cars and smaller 4WDs; the safest option |
| 40-foot container | Two vehicles, or a vehicle plus spare parts and equipment | Sharing the cost, or moving a vehicle with its gear |
| Roll-on roll-off (RoRo) | Driven on and off a vehicle-carrying ship | Where a RoRo service operates; vehicles usually must be empty |
| Flat rack | Secured on an open platform | Oversized utes, trucks and machinery that won't fit in a box |
Containers are the most common choice for the PNG lane because they protect the vehicle and allow spare parts to travel with it, provided everything is declared. For larger trucks and plant, see our guide to shipping project cargo and mining equipment, and for container choices, FCL or LCL shipping to PNG.
What it really costs to import a vehicle
PNG Customs charges import excise on motor vehicles, with rates running from 20% to 120% of the import value depending on the size of the engine. Import GST of 10% is then charged on the value plus excise, and a customs entry fee applies. On top of that come broker fees, quarantine clearance, port handling, a safety inspection and registration.
PNG Customs publishes a worked example for a used two-litre Subaru Forester, which shows how quickly the numbers grow:
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Purchase price of the vehicle | US$6,000 |
| Freight and insurance | US$3,500 freight plus US$270 insurance |
| Import excise at 20% | K6,978.57 |
| Import GST at 10% | K4,187.14 |
| Customs entry fee | K30.00 |
| Total payable to Customs | K11,195.71 |
| Total cost to import and register | K49,535.56 |
That's for a modest two-litre car. Larger engines attract much higher excise rates, so a big diesel 4WD or ute can cost far more to land. PNG Customs' own advice is that the extra costs can often double the original purchase price. Our guide to PNG import duty and GST explains how the calculation works.
Preparing the vehicle in Australia
- Clear any finance. If there's money owing on the car, you'll need the lender's agreement before it leaves the country.
- Sort out registration. Talk to your state registration authority about cancelling the registration and any refund.
- Lodge an export declaration. Most vehicles are worth AUD 2,000 or more, so the Australian Border Force will need one.
- Gather the paperwork: proof of ownership, purchase invoice, registration papers and the vehicle identification number.
- Declare anything packed inside. Tools, parts and personal items must be listed, and some services won't accept them at all.
Our guide to export documents for shipping from Australia to PNG covers the declaration in detail.
Cleaning for PNG biosecurity
NAQIA, PNG's biosecurity agency, inspects used vehicles and machinery for soil, seeds, plant material and insects. Where a vehicle doesn't meet requirements, importers are generally given the option to treat it, clean it or ship it back, all at their own cost.
A professional steam clean before export is money well spent. Pay attention to:
- the underbody, chassis rails and wheel arches
- the engine bay and radiator
- the spare wheel well, tray and tow bar
- the interior, including floor mats and boot
- any attached equipment such as winches, bull bars and roof racks.
For the full biosecurity picture, see our guide to NAQIA rules for cargo entering PNG.
Clearance and collection in PNG
Before you buy, check that the model isn't a prohibited import. On arrival, a licensed customs broker lodges the import declaration, Customs classifies and values the vehicle, and the excise, GST and fees are assessed and paid. NAQIA inspects the vehicle, and once both agencies release it and the terminal charges are paid, it can be collected.
Don't leave it at the wharf
PNG Customs warns that a vehicle left at a Customs wharf for more than 30 days is forfeited to the State and can be sold or auctioned to recover the duty, GST, handling and storage fees owed. Have the funds and the documents ready before the ship arrives. Our guide to PNG destination charges and demurrage explains the charges that build while you wait.
After release, the vehicle needs a safety inspection and registration with PNG's road transport authorities before it can be driven.
Frequently asked questions
Can I import a used car into PNG?
Yes. PNG doesn't restrict used vehicle imports in general, but every vehicle is subject to excise, GST and biosecurity inspection, and some models may be prohibited.
How much will the duty be on my ute?
It depends on the engine size and the customs value. Excise ranges from 20% to 120% of the import value, with GST on top, so get your broker to classify the vehicle and estimate the cost before you ship.
Can I pack my belongings inside the car?
In a container, sometimes, if every item is declared. Many RoRo services require vehicles to be empty. Undeclared items are a common cause of inspection holds.
Part of our complete guide
This article is one step in Shipping from Australia to PNG: The Complete Guide. Other guides in the "shipping by cargo type" stage:
This guide is general information, current at the date of last review. Rates, schedules, duty rates and procedures change, so confirm the details of your shipment with a licensed freight forwarder or customs broker before you act.