ABF puts brakes on counterfeit vehicle import permits

MORE than 900 vehicle import entries have been flagged after Australian Border Force (ABF) investigators uncovered the use of counterfeit approvals to bring vehicles into Australia.

The investigation, which resulted in more than $74,000 in fines, also prompted an audit of one importer that identified $757,000 in unpaid GST and Luxury Car Tax. The tax has since been recovered.

Operation VESTIBULE began after ABF analysts, supported by intelligence from the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts, identified vehicle import entries that could not be matched to a legitimate Vehicle Import Approval.

The entries involved both commercial and private vehicles, most of which arrived through ports in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland.

Counterfeit approvals in the import chain

ABF investigators found some importers had supplied counterfeit approvals to customs brokers instead of waiting for legitimate permits to be issued.

There is no evidence the customs brokers knew the documents were fraudulent.

ABF Inspector Amy Sharpe said the operation should serve as a warning to anyone considering bypassing the vehicle import approval process.

“If you are bringing a vehicle into Australia, make sure you have the right approval before it is shipped,” Inspector Sharpe said.

“Our import requirements help ensure vehicles entering Australia meet important safety and environmental standards.

“Submitting false documentation can result in a vehicle being stopped at the border and significant penalties for those involved.

“This operation highlights the ongoing work of ABF officers to detect non-compliance and protect the integrity of Australia’s border controls.”

Approval before shipment

Under Australian law, road vehicles generally require approval before they can be imported into the country.

Vehicle Import Approvals are administered by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts through its online ROVER system.

The department works with ABF to share information and support the detection and prevention of vehicles arriving without the required approvals.

Importers should obtain approval before shipping a vehicle to Australia. Vehicles arriving without the required approval will not be released from customs control, and importers may face significant storage costs while the matter is resolved.

Information about vehicle imports, approval pathways and applications is available through the department’s vehicle import website and ROVER.