From time-to-time, and for various reasons, EMI (Australia) imported titles from overseas.
Often, titles were imported when EMI (Australia) was unsure how many copies they would sell, or when sales were expected to be modest. Imports were also used when it was considered too cost-prohibitive to manufacture a title locally, either in full or in part—for example, by importing sleeves only.
In the late 1960s, EMI (Australia) added EMI UK and Capitol US reel-to-reel tape and cassette titles to the local catalogue. This was because EMI (Australia) did not yet have the facilities to manufacture these formats locally. As a result, one could walk into a music store that sold reel-to-reel tapes or cassettes and quite possibly find copies of the US-only Yesterday And Today sitting alongside UK copies of Revolver!
The first Beatles LP to receive an official EMI (Australia) import was Magical Mystery Tour. Following the popularity of the World Record Club release, together with solid orders for the US release through EMI's international ordering system, EMI (Australia) decided to officially import copies from the United States. Even after EMI (Australia) released the album on cassette and reel-to-reel formats in September 1974, it continued to import US-manufactured LPs until finally issuing the LP domestically in July 1979. Not surprisingly, the local LP came with an inferior gatefold sleeve, no 24-page booklet, and still included the duophonic versions of 'Penny Lane', 'Baby, You're A Rich Man' and 'All You Need Is Love'.
Between April and July 1975, EMI (Australia) imported three further titles: The Beatles Story from the United States, and Something New and Beatles Beat from Germany. Each title was available only briefly, for a period ranging from a few weeks to a few months. The import codes for these titles can be found on The Beatles' Australian Album Discography 1963–2000 page.
Coinciding with the release of the 1978 film Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, directed by Michael Schultz and featuring Peter Frampton and the Bee Gees, EMI (Australia) imported the picture disc album from EMI UK as part of a Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band promotion. Renewed interest in the album, assisted by EMI (Australia)'s promotion, saw it re-enter the charts in September 1978, reaching #30 and remaining on the chart for 15 weeks.
In February 1979, following the success of the Sgt Pepper's picture disc, EMI (Australia) imported US copies of the Abbey Road picture disc. The title was not a success locally, and combined with poor pressing quality, sank with nary a trace.
Around June 1979, EMI (New Zealand) issued a series of singles that had been hits in Britain. Included were two Beatles singles: 'Can't Buy Me Love'/'You Can't Do That' (BRIT 6) and 'Help!'/'I'm Down' (BRIT 45). Both singles were imported by EMI (Australia). EMI (New Zealand) also released a set of Australian hit singles, the AUS series, which included 'Roll Over Beethoven'/'Hold Me Tight' (AUS 32), however, these were intended for domestic New Zealand release rather than export to Australia.
In June 1980, EMI (Australia) imported World Records' The Beatles Collection, which contained all 25 singles released in the UK between 1962 and 1978. This set was the forerunner to the locally issued The Australian 20th Anniversary Singles Collection, released in October 1982. Even after the release of the Australian set, EMI (Australia) began importing copies of EMI UK's The Beatles Singles Collection from June 1983—a release which itself had been prompted by the Australian set!
In July 1981, EMI (Australia) imported UK copies of the complete mono Beatles LP catalogue. This marked the first vinyl pressing of the original mono mixes since 1969. More information on this range can be found by clicking the UK Parlophone label image above.
Other notable titles officially imported by EMI (Australia) include, but are not limited to:
Official EMI (Australia) imports generally had a blue sticker affixed to the front cover, with "EMI IMPORT" printed in white — see image at top of page.