Factsheet 44 – November 2009

Importing a motor vehicle

This factsheet should be read in conjunction with Factsheet 44a and Factsheet 44b.

New Zealand allows the import of 'used' vehicles, provided the vehicle meets applicable standards, safety and emissions requirements. There must also be acceptable proof of ownership and standards compliance. These things are checked in the process known as entry certification. Entry certifiers are appointed by the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to carry out this task.

Warning

Although the word 'import' is used here there are in fact few controls on the importation of vehicles. Controls under Land Transport Rules only apply to whether vehicles may be used on public roads or not. You may legally import any type of vehicle if it is for public display or for use on private roads or off road. A vehicle may also be broken up for parts after it arrives or re-exported. For this reason the New Zealand Customs Service and shipping agents do not restrict the entry of vehicles and are not required to provide advice on entry certification requirements.

Note: Release of a vehicle by the Customs Service after arrival in New Zealand is not proof that you will be able to register the vehicle for use on public roads in New Zealand.

Entry certification is the same whether the used vehicle is imported for sale or for the personal use of the owner.

We recommend you contact an entry certifier before shipping the vehicle.

This will allow you to:

• ship the vehicle to a port where an entry certifier is available, or
• arrange to have the vehicle transported from the port of entry to an entry certifier.

Note

Make sure you check your paperwork, and that the VIN, chassis and frame numbers are correct, as vehicles without correct paperwork may not be able to be registered.

Government departments

All used vehicles entering New Zealand for the first time must go through a border check, Customs inspection and entry-certification before they can be used on the road.

Three government departments are involved:

• The NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) enforces New Zealand's vehicle standards law as part of the entry certification process
• New Zealand Customs Service (Customs) checks import requirements such as import tax or duty
• Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) checks for bio-security, eg the presence of any insects or mud on or in the vehicle. MAF also carry out border checks on behalf of the NZTA, to check for water damage, structural damage, or deterioration.

What are the main processes?

MAF and Customs clearance

When a vehicle arrives in New Zealand the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry carry out a quarantine inspection and border check followed by Customs clearance. The vehicle chassis number is recorded into the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) system.

VIN

The vehicle identification number (VIN) is issued/decoded as soon as practicable by entry certifier.

Entry certification process

An entry certifier:

• verifies that the vehicle met the required safety and emissions standards when manufactured
• inspects the vehicle to check it is in good condition
• decides whether the vehicle needs any repairs and/or specialist certification
• certifies the vehicle for compliance with the safety and emissions requirements
• verifies legal entitlement to the vehicle
• issues an Application to register a motor vehicle form (MR2A) and a warrant or certificate of fitness.
• invoices the importer for the cost of certification.

Registration and licensing

Once the NZTA agent has registered and licensed the vehicle it can be driven legally on New Zealand roads. You will need to have the correct driver's licence, and the vehicle will need an in-service inspection (for a warrant or certificate of fitness) at regular intervals, either annually or every six months. If it is a commercial vehicle you will need to have a transport service licence.

What classes of vehicle must be entry-certified?

The entry certification processes apply to motorcycles, cars, off-road passenger vehicles, vans, utes, minibuses and heavy vehicles. They do not apply to low-powered vehicles, or to Classes TA and TB (light trailers) or Classes LA and LB (mopeds). Older vehicles, pre-1990, only need to meet some of the standards. The vehicle classes fit into two groups, light vehicles and heavy vehicles, depending on the gross vehicle mass (GVM) which is the maximum allowable weight specified by the manufacturer.

Light vehicles (GVM not exceeding 3500kg):

• Classes LC, LD, LE (motorcycles)
• Class MA (passenger car up to and including 9 seats)
• Classes MB, MC (forward-control or off-road passenger vehicle, up to and including 9 seats)
• Class NA (light goods vehicle)
• Classes MD1, MD2 (light buses more than 9 seats).

Heavy vehicles (GVM exceeding 3500kg):

• Classes MD3, MD4, ME (heavy buses)
• Class NB, NC (heavy trucks)
• Classes TC, TD (heavy trailers).

What documentation must be provided?

Proof of ownership

You must provide evidence that you're legally entitled to the vehicle. You'll need original documents (faxed or photocopied documents are not sufficient), establishing an ownership trail to the last registered owner (eg deregistration or change of ownership papers, invoices, bills of sale, receipts). You'll need certified translations of any documents that are not in English.

Standards requirements

You must provide proof that the vehicle you wish to import was manufactured to meet approved safety and emissions standards. These requirements depend on the class of vehicle, the date of manufacture, and the country from which the vehicle is being imported (ie proof it was legally on road there). In the absence of other proof, you might need a Statement of compliance from an authorised representative of the vehicle's manufacturer, listing the standards to which the vehicle was certified when it was made, particularly if you need to prove frontal-impact standard compliance.

Contact an entry certifier

The organisations listed below are appointed by the NZTA as entry certifiers. They are selected branches of:

• Automobile Association, phone +64 9 966 8800, fax +64 9 966 8893, email aatech@aa.co.nz
• Vehicle Inspection New Zealand (VINZ), phone +64 9 573 3230, fax +64 9 573 3239, email technical@invda.co.nz
• Vehicle Testing New Zealand (VTNZ), phone +64 4 495 2500, fax +64 4 495 2530, email technical@vtnz.co.nz
• Safer Vehicle Testing (SVT), phone +64 9 296 1169, fax +64 9 296 2813, email kismatt@safervehicletesting.co.nz

Contact the manufacturer's representative in New Zealand

You'll need to do this if the import status of the motor vehicle is difficult to determine. See the MIA list.

Other contacts

• New Zealand Customs Service (Customs)
• Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF)

Related Factsheets:

Factsheet 44a, Immigrants' vehicles

Factsheet 44b, Special interest vehicles

Factsheet 12, Importing a left-hand drive vehicle

Factsheet 35, Importing a vehicle temporarily

Factsheet 6, Vehicle identification numbers

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

What about hybrids and electric vehicles?

If you wish to import a hybrid vehicle or a plug-in electric hybrid vehicle you must be able to show it has been certified to meet the appropriate emissions and safety standards, just as you would for a petrol or diesel vehicle. You will also need to provide fuel consumption information if it is a light vehicle, other than a motorcycle. A battery electric (powered wholly by electricity) vehicle will need to meet the appropriate safety standards, but not the emissions or fuel consumption requirements.

What is checked at the border inspection?

A border inspector records:

• the vehicle's identity (VIN or chassis number, make, model)
• the identity of the importer of the vehicle
• the odometer reading at the time of the check
• any obvious significant water damage, structural damage or deterioration
• whether the vehicle is left-hand drive.

MAF sends the information to the NZTA's Transport Registry Centre for recording on the LANDATA database. Allow 72 hours for the information to be recorded.

MAF invoices the importer for each vehicle, to cover the cost of the border check and quarantine inspection. There may be an additional cost to you if the vehicle is imported in a condition that requires it to be steam cleaned.

Sometimes, MAF quarantine officers at facilities in Japan carry out the border check. In this case, a vehicle doesn't need to undergo the check again in New Zealand.

What happens if the vehicle is damaged or deteriorated?

If the vehicle is identified by MAF as being water damaged, structurally damaged or deteriorated, this is recorded on LANDATA and a label is put on the vehicle to show it is structurally damaged. You might decide repairs are not justified and look for alternative uses for the vehicle, eg for parts.

(Do not remove the damage-flag sticker or repair the vehicle until it has been inspected by either an entry certification agent or a repair certifier.)

What does the New Zealand Customs Service require?

After the border check, the vehicle must clear Customs (the New Zealand Customs Service). They hold the vehicle until all Customs requirements are met. Contact Customs for details and costs.

If you don't want to arrange the MAF and Customs processes yourself, you may wish to contact a Customs broker (listed in telephone directories and on the internet).

Some vehicles may be classed by Customs as prohibited imports (eg because of tampering with the odometer). As a condition of import approval, Customs may impose a requirement that the vehicle be sold for parts. If this happens, the vehicle cannot be registered for use on the road.

How do I get the vehicle to the entry certifier?

After clearing Customs, the vehicle is released to the importer. However, it cannot be driven on the road yet.

• Dealers and repairers who have the right to use a trade plate may drive an uncertified vehicle on a conditional permit (an Annex B) before taking it to an entry certifier.
• If you're a private importer, however, you will need to have the vehicle transported to an entry certifier by other means (eg on a trailer, transported or towed).

How is the VIN obtained?

Some vehicles already have a VIN when entering New Zealand. It is the vehicle owner's responsibility to provide the information (available from the vehicle manufacturer) that enables the VIN to be decoded, when necessary.

If the vehicle doesn't have a VIN, it is verified through other vehicle identifiers (such as the chassis number) and the entry certifier issues it with a VIN.

The VIN is recorded on LANDATA so the vehicle can be tracked through the certification and registration process.

Where can I find samples of acceptable documentation?

Samples of acceptable documents from Europe, USA, Japan, Australia and certain other countries are provided in the reference material of the Vehicle inspection requirements manual – Entry certification and in the section for importers on our website.

What is the certification process for water or structurally damaged, or deteriorated vehicles?

There is an additional process for light vehicles to check for structural damage or repair.

Water or structural damage, or deterioration to a vehicle may have been recorded at the border check or could be discovered later, by the entry certifier. The vehicle may need to be repaired before it can be certified for registration.

The entry certifier is responsible for deciding whether a specialist repair certifier needs to inspect any repairs that were carried out before the vehicle was imported, to ensure they have been done correctly. This could involve some disassembly and additional costs for you. You will need to pay the costs of repair and repair certification, as well as the cost of entry certification. The NZTA suggests you check the cost of repairs and certification before you proceed any further. The cost of this certification varies according to the level of certification required.

A vehicle that is so severely damaged that it is unsuitable for registration, or has been badly repaired, will not be given a repair certificate or an MR2A form It will be released to you and may not, by law, be registered or driven on the road in New Zealand until it meets all legal requirements. Do not have the vehicle repaired until it has been inspected by an entry certifier or a repair certifier. Failure to do so may result in the repair having to be redone.

What about 'historic' vehicles?

If the vehicle you have imported is to be restored, under no circumstances should you remove a vehicle identifier (chassis/VIN number), as removal and reattachment may prohibit the certification of the vehicle. Ensure that a repair certifier is consulted prior to undertaking any corrosion or accident-damage repairers.

What is the process for modified vehicles?

If a light vehicle is significantly modified, the entry certifier must send it to a low volume vehicle (LVV) certifier for specialist certification. There will be a charge to you for this, in addition to the cost of entry certification. The LVV certifier will inspect the vehicle and issue it with a modification plate before it is returned to the entry certifier.

If a heavy vehicle is modified it will require inspection and certification from a specialist heavy-vehicle certifier. See Vehicle inspection requirements manual-heavy vehicle specialist certification on our website.

What should I do if I disagree with a decision made by the entry certifier?

Register your complaint with the head office of the entry certifier, which will investigate the complaint. If you're not satisfied with the result of the investigation, you can request a review by the NZTA.

How long does certification, registration and licensing take?

Once the information from the border check is on LANDATA (which could take up to 72 hours), and provided everything is in order, the certification process and registration and licensing could take as little as one day. However, if the entry certifier encounters problems in certifying the vehicle (eg if specialist certification is required), the certification process will take longer.

What are the costs involved in the entire process?

The costs are set by the individual organisations that carry out the work. It is currently estimated that the total cost for a vehicle to undergo the quarantine inspection and border check, clear Customs, be issued with a VIN, be certified for registration and be registered and licensed is approximately NZ$800 to NZ$1000. This does not include the goods and services tax (GST) of 12.5 percent payable to New Zealand Customs on the value of the vehicle, or the cost of any repairs or repair certification.

Immigrants arriving for the first time in New Zealand may be able to import a vehicle without paying GST if they satisfy the New Zealand Customs Service that they're taking up permanent residence, have owned and used the vehicle for at least one year and agree that they will continue to use the vehicle for at least two years.

• Entry certifiers charge different rates, but an indicative cost to have a vehicle issued with a VIN and certified for registration purposes is NZ$350.
• Repairers, repair certifiers and LVV certifiers also charge different rates and their costs will depend on the work required for each vehicle.
• The costs for registration and licensing vary according to vehicle type, engine size, the period of the licence (ie six or 12 months) and what the vehicle will be used for. A full schedule of these costs is available from the NZTA. Call our motor vehicle registration contact centre on 0800 108 809.

Where you can find out more

Contact the NZTA

• From within New Zealand, phone 0800 699 000
• From outside New Zealand, phone +64 4 931 8700 and select option 3
• You can write to us at NZ Transport Agency, Private Bag 6995, Wellington 6141, New Zealand
• Email us: info@nzta.govt.nz