Tax deadline prompts luxury car imports

MELBOURNE, May 24 (UPI) -- A car dealer says he has begun air-shipping several luxury cars to Australia to beat a deadline for a new tax on expensive imported goods.

Bevin Clayton, who manages a company that sells Rolls-Royces exclusively in Australia and New Zealand, says he began shipping $1.25million Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupes to beat the upcoming tax deadline, The Melbourne Sun-Herald reported in its Sunday edition.

The tax on all luxury vehicles in Australia is set to increase from 25 percent to 33 percent, but Clayton says that's not scaring away consumers.

"I haven't had one cancellation of an order because of the luxury tax increase," he told the Sun-Herald.

Yet by shipping in more of the luxury vehicles before the deadline hits, Clayton said his Trivett Rolls-Royce dealership would be able to pass the savings on to customers.

"I would think if you were worried about money you probably shouldn't be buying a Rolls-Royce," he said. "However, any saving we can give will be welcomed, especially if it's about $60,000."