Importing cars to New Zealand: Rules, costs, and key steps

Spotted a gem of a car overseas and thinking about bringing it to New Zealand? Well, before you try and ship it across the ocean, make sure it won’t sink your wallet or your time.

Whether you are a Kiwi returning home, an expat moving to Aotearoa, or a petrolhead hunting for a specific JDM classic, the process can be rewarding – if you get it right. This guide covers the essential steps for importing cars to New Zealand, from understanding the latest Clean Car Standards to clearing biosecurity at the border.

Why buy a car from abroad?

For many, importing a car to NZ comes down to three things: price, condition, and variety.

There is a reason why nearly 90% of used imports on our roads come from Japan. Japanese auction vehicles often sell for significantly less than their NZ equivalents, even after factoring in shipping and tax. Plus, the strict Japanese "Shaken" testing system means these cars are generally well-maintained.

Aside from Japan, car enthusiasts commonly look at the UK for higher-spec European wagons or to the USA for muscle cars or classics that you simply can’t find locally.

It isn’t always as straightforward as it seems to be on the surface, however. Without correct knowledge and preparation, compliance failures and strict biosecurity checks can cost you thousands in repairs and delays, before you’ve even seen the car in real life.

Car age and emissions standards in New Zealand

New Zealand has tightened its belt on emissions. To register a used import for road use, it generally needs to meet Euro 5 emissions standards. This means even many Japanese petrol vehicles manufactured before 2012 may no longer qualify unless they are specific models.

You also need to budget for the Clean Car Standard (CCS). As of 2025, if you import a used vehicle that exceeds the CO2 target of 112.6 g/km, you will pay a fee of $33.75 for every gram over that limit.

A carVertical report can provide the specific technical data for the vehicle, including its CO2 emissions (g/km) and Euro standard classification. Having this information in front of you allows you to calculate exactly how much you need to pay in Clean Car fees before even placing a bid.

It’s a simple way to make sure you aren't hit with a surprise invoice when the car lands in Auckland.

Is there an age limit for the car? Technically, no. You can import a car of any age. Cars over 20 years old are exempt from the Euro 5 emissions rules and frontal impact standards, making them popular with classic collectors.

Can you import a LHD (left-hand drive) car?

It’s generally not recommended, as it is illegal to register a left-hand drive vehicle for road use in New Zealand unless it falls under specific exemptions.

The most common exception is for vehicles that are 20 years or older. These are classified as Category B and can be registered LHD without conversion, provided they are not used for commercial purposes.

Therefore, if you are eyeing a modern American muscle car (under 20 years old), you will likely need a professional LHD-to-RHD conversion. Make no mistake – this is a major undertaking, costing between $18,000 and $28,000 NZD depending on the model.

How the country of origin affects your import

The country your car comes from determines the type of paperwork you need, what compliance tests you have to deal with, and what the final bill might look like. Importing a car from UK to NZ provides a different set of obstacles compared to sourcing one from Tokyo or Sydney.

For instance, Japan is a well-oiled machine for NZ imports, with pre-inspection services like JEVIC simplifying the process. In contrast, sourcing import cars from USA to NZ often involves complex title checks and expensive conversions if the car is new.

Alternatively, if you choose to import a car from Australia to NZ, the process is incredibly fast, and thanks to Free Trade Agreements, there is zero import duty.

Use carVertical to verify a vehicle’s history before importing

Buying a car unseen from the other side of the world always carries risk. While a vehicle might look pristine in the auction photos, it could be hiding a lemon history.

Before committing to a purchase, running a carVertical history check can help mitigate this risk, offering greater peace of mind when committing money to a purchase. There are multiple areas where a report can help you spot red flags that the seller might not disclose, saving you thousands later on.

1. See the damage "Before" the repair

Sellers often repair crashed cars to make them look showroom-fresh. A carVertical report can dig up historical images, letting you see exactly what the car looked like before the paint job.

• Damage records: Get dates, costs, and descriptions of past incidents.
• Structural alerts: Know immediately if the chassis or frame was compromised, which is a major failure point for NZ compliance.

2. Spot odometer fraud

"Clocking" is a known issue with imports. A vehicle might leave the UK with 100,000 miles and arrive in NZ displaying 60,000 km. The Mileage section compares international data from inspections and service visits to let you know if a newer reading is lower than an older one.

3. Avoid stolen or written-off vehicles

If you are looking to import cars from USA to NZ, checking the legal status is non-negotiable.

• Title checks: This reveals if a car is branded as ‘Salvage,’ ‘Junk,’ or ‘Flood’ damaged, which can make it nearly impossible to insure or register in NZ.
• Theft records: Checks against international police databases to make sure the vehicle isn't currently reported as stolen.

How much does it cost to import a car to New Zealand?

The price on the page is really just the beginning. As a rule of thumb, budget an extra $6,000 to $10,000 NZD on top of the purchase price to get the car actually on the road.

When you import cars from Japan to NZ, here is what a typical breakdown looks like for a vehicle bought for $10,000:

• Shipping and logistics: ~$3,330
• GST (15%): ~$2,199 (calculated on purchase price + shipping)
• Import duty: ~$1,333 (10% of purchase price, though 0% for Australia)
• Entry certification: ~$700
• MPI and customs fees: ~$236
• Registration and admin: ~$564
• Total landed cost: ~$18,512

Don't forget the hidden costs:

• Biosecurity cleaning: If MPI finds a single dried leaf or spider web, you’ll pay $100–$300 for cleaning.
• Storage fees: Ports charge $20–$50 per day if you don't clear customs immediately.

Documents you’ll need when importing a car

Paperwork is where many importers get stuck. You often need original physical documents, not just photocopies.

• Proof of Ownership: Original Bill of Sale or Purchase Invoice.
• Export Certificate / Deregistration:
  • Japan: The original Export Certificate (De-reg). This is critical as it contains the emissions code.
  • UK: The V5C logbook or Certificate of Permanent Export.
  • USA: The original Certificate of Title.
• Bill of Lading: Issued by the shipping company.
• NZ Customs Client Code: You need to apply for this to clear the vehicle in NZ.

Bringing the car home: Car transfer explained

Getting the vehicle to New Zealand usually happens in one of two ways.

RoRo (Roll-on Roll-off)

Used for 85% of imports. Your car is driven onto the ship and parked, like using a ferry. It is the cheapest and most efficient option, but you cannot pack personal items inside the car.

Container shipping

The car is loaded into a 20ft or 40ft container. This is preferred for high-value classic cars or non-runners. It offers better protection but costs more and takes longer to process.

Should you use a broker? If this is your first time, hiring a shipping agent or broker is highly recommended. They handle the logistics, marine insurance (typically ~1% of value), and customs clearance, making sure your car doesn't get stuck at the dock with growing storage fees.

Compliance inspection and entry certification

Once your car arrives (usually in Auckland, which handles 70% of imports), it faces two big hurdles.

1. MPI Biosecurity Inspection. Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) inspectors check the vehicle for "contaminants", which could be soil, seeds, bugs, or plant matter. Roughly 80% of cars fail this first look and require steam cleaning or fumigation.

2. Entry Certification. This is the "Warrant of Fitness on steroids." An approved inspector (at places like VTNZ or VINZ) will strip back the interior trim to check structural integrity, verify the VIN, and test safety systems like seatbelts and ESC.

If you are importing a Japanese car to NZ, having the Export Certificate with a valid "Type Designation Number" makes this stage much smoother, as it proves the car meets manufacturing standards.

Importing a new vehicle

A ‘new’ vehicle is defined as one that has never been registered or operated on a road anywhere in the world.

The process is largely the same as importing cars to NZ that are used, but there are perks. New vehicles do not require a border inspection for structural damage. However, they still require biosecurity checks and must undergo a Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) to ensure they are road-ready.

Registering your imported car in New Zealand

You’ve cleared customs, passed biosecurity, and nailed the compliance check. The final leg is registration (getting your plates). Almost there!

Head to an NZTA agent (like AA or VTNZ) with your MR2A form, which you get after passing entry certification. You will need:

• Your passport or NZ driver licence.
• The MR2A form.
• Payment for 6 or 12 months of registration (rego).

Cost: A 12-month rego for a standard petrol car (1.3L–2.6L) is roughly $296.99. Once paid, you’ll get your new NZ number plates and a rego label. Screw them on, and you are good to go!