How to Make Importing Your Car into New Zealand Straightforward

Get a free quote today

to find out costs and procedures involved in shipping your car from Australia to New Zealand.

Posted on 23rd November 2013 – Shipping Vehicles


 

Importing a car into New Zealand isn’t as complicated as you may think it is. Although the country does have stringent vehicle compliance regulations, they are not impossible to abide by, and as long as you have the right documentation, your vehicle will be one of the many that are being imported from overseas into the country every year without any problems.

Vehicle emissions: To be allowed in, your vehicle will have to be Euro 4 emission compliant unless you qualify for an exemption under the personal immigrant vehicle scheme or if your car is at least 20 years old. In doubt, a good vehicle freight-forwarder should be able to check whether your vehicle will indeed require it.

Frontal impact: Your vehicle will also have to pass a safety inspection to make sure that it complies with frontal impact requirements.

In addition, all vehicles need to be generally safe to be allowed on the road. So if your car needs to be repaired or upgraded, if it has any rusted parts that need replacing, do make an appointment with your mechanic as soon as possible.

Paperwork: You will be asked to present the right paperwork at Customs, for example a proof of purchase, various certificates of compliance, the original registration and a copy of the shipping bill of lading. Depending on the country your vehicle is coming from, the make and your own circumstances, you may need additional paperwork or permits.

Although there are general regulations as to what you need to produce for your car to be allowed entry into New Zealand, there are also a lot of rules specific to the country of export; this is why it is crucial to choose a shipping company with experience in importing goods into New Zealand.

For further information on vehicle shipping, contact us, phone us on +64 9 303 0075, or get a free quote.

Click here to see our reference guide to making car shipping stress free with our tried and tested 1-2-3 step process.


Our easy - 3 step shipping process

×
Advise pick-up location
Documents & shipping
Delivered to your door

Tell us the pick up location and we'll arrange a date & time

We handle all customs & shipping including insurance

Enjoy your toy, after it's delivered to your door anywhere in NZ.

Get Started


Related articles

The Benefits of Transporting Your Car or Work Vehicle
Posted on 19th December 2022
Are you moving houses or relocating to a new city? We share the benefits of hiring vehicle shipping companies when it comes to transporting your cars!
Read more


How to Get a Warrant of Fitness When Importing Your Car into New Zealand
Posted on 1st September 2018
Before a vehicle is allowed on New Zealand roads, it must pass technical tests to check that it is roadworthy and that it meets environmental standards. The process is called ‘entry certification’ at the end of which you will be issued with a Warrant of Fitness.
Read more


How to Import a Car From Japan to Australia
Posted on 30th April 2017
Japan is well known for its high cost of living, so it may surprise you to hear that it is a great place to buy everyday second-hand cars. With a reputation for great quality and longevity, they are indeed a very attractive proposition and more people in our corner of the world turn towards that country to find bargains.
Read more


RORO vs Containers
Posted on 14th February 2017
Whether RORO or container shipping suits you better will depend on factors such as your budget, which port your car will be shipped to and from and whether you wish to transport personal belongings at the same time.
Read more


Increased measures - Takata airbag recall.. Read more.