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This information summarises certain legal requirements. It is not legal advice and may be altered without notice. Before acting on the information, you are advised to refer directly to the appropriate legislation and/or take professional advice. Note that Land Transport New Zealand doesn't endorse or guarantee, or accept liability for reliance upon, any other organisations or individuals linked or referred to, or the accuracy of their information.

Infosheet 1.67 revision 12

Date: 8 May 2008
Revision: 12 (Revision history) This revision replaces the version of 29 November 2007. This revision advises importers about the changed rules for importing immigrants’ vehicles of Classes MA, MB or MC; or ‘special interest vehicles’, that do not meet frontal impact or emissions standards.
From: Driver and Vehicle Certification Unit, Land Transport New Zealand

Importing motor vehicles into New Zealand

Situation

If you want to import a vehicle privately or commercially into New Zealand, it's your responsibility to prove that you're legally entitled to the vehicle and that it meets New Zealand safety and emissions requirements. The legal requirements depend on the type of vehicle, the date of manufacture, and the country from which it is being imported.

If you wish to import a motor vehicle to New Zealand, you may wish to check if it qualifies as an immigrant’s vehicle (of Class MA, MB or MC) or a ‘special interest vehicle’, in which case you may find it does not have to meet a frontal impact or emissions standard. Details are provided in Factsheet 44a and Factsheet 44b.

This infosheet tells you where to find the requirements that apply to your vehicle.

  • It provides links and background information about importing motor vehicles into New Zealand.
  • It links to five separate infosheets (2.10, 2.11, 2.12, 2.13 and 2.14) and you select the infosheet(s) relevant to you, depending on the country from which you wish to import the vehicle.
  • It provides a link to Infosheet 2.08, which explains applicable exhaust emissions standards requirements.

The exhaust emissions standards that vehicles must meet were changed on 3 January 2008. Be aware that your vehicle must meet the exhaust emissions requirements set out in Infosheet 2.08. See below for details as to which version of infosheet 2.08 applies.

Please note that standards for heavy-vehicle brakes will be introduced through the Heavy-vehicle Brakes Rule, which came into force on 1 March 2007. These heavy-vehicle brakes requirements will apply to imported heavy vehicles that are first registered in New Zealand after 1 July 2008. Detail is provided in the infosheets to which this document links.


Importing motor vehicles

New Zealand has legal requirements for both heavy and light motor vehicles. Vehicles are checked for compliance with these requirements by an entry certifier when they are first inspected before their approval for registration in New Zealand.

  • A light motor vehicle is defined as one that has a gross vehicle mass (GVM) less than or equal to 3500 kg. Light motor vehicles include cars, vans, utes, minibuses and motorcycles.
  • A heavy motor vehicle is one that has a GVM greater than 3500 kg.

If you are considering importing a motor vehicle into New Zealand, follow the steps below.

Carefully read all the relevant information you are directed to. It will enable you to determine whether you can import the vehicle, and what the requirements and processes are.

Infosheet 2.08 and its two versions: The exhaust emissions standards that vehicles must meet were changed on 3 January 2008. Be aware that your vehicle must meet the exhaust emissions requirements set out in Infosheet 2.08. There are two versions of this infosheet:

  • Revision 5 is the current version of this infosheet 2.08. It sets out the new requirements for vehicles entry certified for use on New Zealand roads on or after 3 January 2008.
  • BUT – a transitional provision of Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Exhaust Emissions means that if your vehicle was border checked for entry into New Zealand before 1 February 2008, it  is allowed to meet the earlier requirements set out in Revision 3.1 of infosheet 2.08.

 

Step 1: Country of import

Read the appropriate infosheet below for the country you want to import the motor vehicle from.

The flowcharts in the infosheet will help you determine whether your chosen vehicle can be imported into New Zealand. Make sure you read any notes that accompany the flowcharts.

The infosheets cover motorcycles, cars, station wagons, vans, SUVs, 4WDs, utes, minibuses and heavy vehicles. However, they do not cover Classes TA and TB (light trailers), or Classes LA and LB (mopeds), because these vehicles do not undergo entry certification. (For more information about vehicle classes and the standards they must meet see Infosheet 1.10.)

I want to import a vehicle from:

Step 2: Importing processes

Read the relevant information on the importing process for your vehicle:

  • The importing process for vehicles (border check, certification, registration and licensing): Factsheet 44 Importing a motor vehicle.
  • Factsheets 44a and 44b - These set out information about immigrant’s vehicles or special interest vehicles that do not meet frontal impact or emissions standards.
  • The restrictions on the import of left-hand drive vehicles (those with a steering wheel positioned on the left-hand side of the vehicle): Factsheet 12 Importing a left-hand drive vehicle.
  • Infosheet 2.09 explains which documents an importer must have to prove legal title and standards compliance.
  • Infosheet 2.08 explains how the Emissions Rule affects entry certification.

Step 3: Vehicle information

Check if any other information is relevant:

  • Factsheet 35 describes the requirements for importing a vehicle temporarily (for a period of up to 12 months).
  • Infosheet 2.15 presents information on fuel consumption data capture.
  • Infosheet 1.10 provides extensive information on vehicle classes and the standards they have to meet to comply with New Zealand law.
  • Factsheet 13 describes the dimensions and mass requirements of vehicles. This is particularly important for vehicles imported from the USA.
  • Safety-related vehicle recalls provides information to check whether the vehicle you are importing is free of recalls. (You are strongly advised to do this).
  • Other information on vehicle safety is given in Factsheet 73 Vehicle lighting, Factsheet 22 Bullbars, Factsheet 39 Vehicle windows, wipers and mirrors and Factsheet 43 Mopeds.

Step 4: Other information

Check the requirements of New Zealand Customs and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

Where you can find out more

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