Regulations for Importing Motor Vehicles in New Zealand

The Importation of Motor Vehicles and Motorcycles is Highly Regulated.

New Zealand allows the importation of motor vehicles and motorcycles provided they meet applicable safety and emissions requirements. Clients must also have acceptable proof of entitlement of the vehicle, and standards of compliance at origin. Please visit the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) website where you will find the most current information. It is critical that clients ensure their vehicle meets the requirements before considering shipping to NZ.

Upon arrival in NZ all motor vehicles and motorcycles will need to be cleared with New Zealand Customs. Depending on their residential status and length of ownership of their vehicle they may be able to import it free of GST. Please visit their website where you will find detailed information.

All motor vehicles and motorcycles will require a physical internal and external biosecurity inspection upon arrival to New Zealand by the Ministry for Primary Industries to ensure they are clean and free of any quarantine risk material. This is a service that we will arrange for all clients as part of our process, however if any risk material is found in or on a motor vehicle or motorcycle then additional cleaning services may be required and incur additional expenses.

All motor vehicles require a border structural inspection in order to check for any structural and water damage, verify the particulars of the vehicle including, make, model, VIN or Chassis and check the odometer reading. This will be conducted by Independent Verification Services Limited (IVS) and the results will be submitted to the NZTA.

Next all motor vehicles and motorcycles must under go an entry certification process with an entry certifier to verify and certify that it meets safety and emission standards, check that it is in good condition, decide if it needs any repairs or specialist certification, arrange warrant of fitness (WOF) and registration.