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 2.14 revision 8
Date: 10 June 2008
Revision: 8 (Revision history) This revision reminds importers of the heavy-vehicle brake standards coming into force on 1 July 2008 and also notes that noise level requirements came into force on 1 June 2008.
From: Driver and Vehicle Certification Unit, Land Transport New Zealand
Importing motor vehicles from countries other than Japan, Australia, the United States or Europe: Standards and document requirements
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. The vehicle's performance and condition are also checked at this inspection to make sure the vehicle meets the relevant requirements appropriate to its age, and to confirm that it is within safe tolerance of its state when manufactured.
- 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 want to import a motor vehicle privately or commercially it is your responsibility to prove that you are legally entitled to the vehicle and that the vehicle meets New Zealand safety and emissions requirements.
The exhaust emissions standards that vehicles must meet were changed on 1 January 2008. Be aware that your vehicle must meet the exhaust emissions requirements set out in Infosheet 2.08.
Most of the standards deal with vehicle safety but there are also two types of environmental standards. For emissions standards see Infosheet 2.08. For noise requirements that came into force on 1 June 2008 see Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Equipment Amendment 2007.
There are separate infosheets for the import of vehicles from Japan, Australia , the USA and Europe (infosheets 2.10 to 2.14) and this infosheet covers vehicles imported from countries other than these.
Please note: New Zealand has restrictions on left-hand drive vehicles. If you wish to import one of these, we strongly recommend that you read Factsheet 12 on left-hand drive vehicles, before you go any further.
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 will help you to determine what steps to follow and what documents you need, based on the class of the vehicle and when it was manufactured.
There is a table containing descriptions of the vehicle classes at the start of each section. If you cannot clearly identify what class of vehicle you have, contact an entry certifier for advice.
- Section 1: Importing motorcycles (Class LC, LD or LE)
- Section 2: Importing passenger cars (Class MA)
- Section 3: Importing forward-control vehicles (Class MB) or off-road vehicles (Class MC)
- Section 4: Importing goods vehicles (Class NA, NB or NC), minibuses (Class MD1 or MD2) or buses (Class MD3, MD4 or ME)
- Section 5: Importing heavy trailers (Class TC or TD)
You must have the correct documents to have the vehicle certified for use in New Zealand. The documents need to be presented with the vehicle to the entry certifier in New Zealand. We strongly advise that you have the correct paperwork before the vehicle is shipped to New Zealand.
Contact details for entry certifiers
Other sources of information
- Infosheet 2.08 - Vehicle exhaust emissions requirements: This infosheet sets out the exhaust emissions requirements your vehicle must meet in order to be certified for entry into the New Zealand vehicle fleet.
- Factsheet 44 - Importing a motor vehicle: This summarises the process involved – who does what with the vehicle, and when. It also provides indicative prices for the different steps involved in getting a vehicle certified and registered for use on New Zealand roads.
- Factsheet 44a and Factsheet 44b - These set out information about immigrants’ vehicles, or special interest vehicles, that do not meet frontal impact or emissions standards.
- Frontal impact lists for Class MA vehicles: These are lists, by make and model, of vehicles that manufacturers have advised as meeting (or not meeting) New Zealand's frontal impact requirements. Please note that the information in these lists is supplied by vehicle manufacturers, and is not exhaustive. Land Transport New Zealand has taken every reasonable precaution to ensure the accuracy of this information.
- Read the appropriate list carefully, because some makes and models don't comply until they reach a particular model year or chassis number.
- If your vehicle is not on the list, it may still comply with frontal impact requirements. Follow the steps in the appropriate flowchart in this infosheet to establish whether or not your vehicle meets an approved frontal impact standard.
- If your vehicle is on the list, but the list says that your vehicle does not comply with a frontal impact standard, do not import the vehicle into New Zealand. It will not be able to be certified for use on the road in New Zealand.
- Vehicle standards: Information about vehicle standards, and a comprehensive guide to the standards required for different vehicles.
- Infosheet 1.10 - Vehicle classes and the standards they must meet:
Definitions of the different vehicle classes and the standards that must be met by vehicles of each class according to date of manufacture.
Please note: As well as meeting the standards in Infosheet 1.10, many heavy vehicles will need to be modified to meet additional New Zealand requirements, and be certified by a heavy vehicle specialist certifier, before they can enter the fleet. These modifications can be carried out after the vehicle is imported into New Zealand. For more information on these requirements, see Land Transport Rule: Heavy Vehicles 2004 and Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2002.
Please note also that your heavy vehicle must have a chassis rating approved by Land Transport New Zealand before it can be registered for use on the road. Contact an Entry Certifier for the chassis rating application forms and procedure.
Please note also: Standards for heavy-vehicle brakes will be introduced through the Heavy-vehicle Brakes Rule, which came into force on 1 March 2007. Imported heavy vehicles of Classes MD3, MD4, ME, NB and NC that are first registered in New Zealand after 1 July 2008 will need to meet an approved brake standard. In addition vehicles of Classes NB or NC intended to be used to tow heavy trailers will in most cases need to be fitted with ABS, EBS or LSV. Vehicles of Class TC and TD first registered in New Zealand on or after 1 July 2008 will in most cases need to be fitted with ABS, EBS or LSV.
This will mean that you MUST check for compliance with one of the approved brake standards if you want to import a heavy vehicle of Class MD3, MD4, ME, NB or NC, no matter what date the vehicle was manufactured. This infosheet now details some means of providing compliance.
- You may also want to read Infosheet 2.15, which sets out information about fuel consumption recording.
- Application for an exemption: Your vehicle is required by law to meet one or more standards. If it does not, it cannot
legally be used on the road unless an exemption has been granted. If you think you have a valid reason for your vehicle to be excused from
the standards requirement(s), you may apply for an exemption. Exemption applications are judged against the criteria set out in section 166
of the Land Transport Act 1998.
Please note that completing an application form does not mean that an exemption will be automatically granted. They are granted only in exceptional circumstances. If you wish to proceed please complete the form Application for an exemption from vehicle standards rules (PDF, 134 KB).
- New Zealand Customs Service
- Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF)
Section 1: Importing motorcycles (Class LC, LD or LE) from countries other than Japan, Australia, the United States or Europe
| Class | Description |
|---|---|
| LC (motorcycle) | A motor vehicle that has two wheels, and either has an engine cylinder capacity exceeding 50 ml or has a maximum speed exceeding 50 km/h. |
| LD (motorcycle and side-car) | A motor vehicle that:
|
| LE (motor tri-cycle) | A motor vehicle that:
|
Motorcycles flowchart
This flowchart applies to motorcycles (Class LC, LD or LE) imported from countries other than Japan, Australia, the USA and Europe. It is intended as a guide only, and must be read in conjunction with all other applicable information. Follow the steps in the flowchart. Steps marked with a letter in a circle have supporting notes that you need to read.
Note: This flowchart is designed for original equipment (OE) production vehicles. Modified vehicles are unlikely to comply with the required standards.
Notes for motorcycles flowchart
NOTE: Your motorcycle will need to be inspected when presented to the entry certifier to determine compliance with the relevant requirements appropriate to the age of the motorcycle. This will include an inspection of the braking equipment on the motorcycle to confirm that it is within safe tolerance of its state when manufactured.
A: START: Was the motorcycle manufactured on or after 1 October 2002?
Motorcycles manufactured before 1 October 2002 may have to meet approved standards for some of their parts, but these parts can all be fitted once the motorcycle is in New Zealand (eg, reflectors). Motorcycles manufactured on or after 1 October 2002 will have to meet a standard for their brakes.
B: Get proof the motorcycle meets an approved brake standard?
One way of proving that the vehicle meets the required standards is with a Statement of Compliance. New Zealand also accepts proof of standards compliance from Japan, Australia, the United States and Europe. If your vehicle was first registered in one of these countries, see Infosheet 2.10 for Japan, Infosheet 2.11 for Australia, Infosheet 2.12 for the United States, or Infosheet 2.13 for Europe. You may be able to prove compliance with approved standards using one of these methods.
C: Get proof you own the motorcycle
You'll need evidence that you're legally entitled to the motorcycle. You must have original documents that establish an ownership trail back to the last registered owner in the country you're exporting the vehicle from (eg, deregistration or change of ownership papers) and invoices, bills of sale, receipts etc. You must provide certified translations of any documents that aren't in English.
A Vehicle registration card that has been stamped 'Cancelled' or 'Deregistered' by the Singapore Land Transport Authority, or a Singapore De-Registration Certificate is acceptable proof of ownership for a vehicle imported from Singapore.
A Vehicle registration document that has been stamped 'Cancelled' or 'Deregistered' by the Hong Kong Transport Department that establishes an ownership trail between the vehicle and the vehicle importer is acceptable proof of ownership for a vehicle imported from Hong Kong.
See also:
- Appendix 1: What's a Statement of Compliance?
- Appendix 2: Vehicle Registration Card - Singapore
- Appendix 3: Deregistration Certificate – Singapore
- Appendix 4: Vehicle Registration Document – Hong Kong
- 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).
Section 2: Importing passenger cars (Class MA vehicles) from countries other than Japan, Australia, the United States or Europe
Please note: New Zealand has restrictions on left-hand drive vehicles. If you wish to import one of these, we strongly recommend that you read Factsheet 12 Importing a left-hand drive vehicle, before you go any further.
| Class | Description |
|---|---|
| MA (passenger car) | A passenger vehicle (other than a Class MB or Class MC vehicle) that has not more than nine seating positions (including the driver's seating position). |
| Note: A passenger vehicle is a motor vehicle that is constructed primarily for the carriage of passengers, and either has at least four wheels, or has three wheels and a gross vehicle mass exceeding one tonne. | |
A Class MA vehicle is defined as a passenger vehicle (other than a Class MB or Class MC vehicle) that has not more than nine seating positions (including the driver's seating position).
Be aware that your vehicle must meet the exhaust emissions requirements set out in infosheet 2.08.
If your vehicle meets the requirements in infosheet 2.08, you can continue with the following process.
There are three flowcharts for Class MA vehicles. If the Class MA vehicle you want to import is more than 20 years old (based on the date of first registration anywhere), go straight to the ownership flowchart. Otherwise, work through the flowcharts in this order:
- Frontal impact flowchart
- Other standards flowchart
- Ownership flowchart.
You will need to read the supporting notes for each flowchart you use.
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.
Frontal impact flowchart
This flowchart applies to passenger cars (Class MA vehicles) imported from countries other than Japan, Australia, the United States or Europe that are less than 20 years old (based on the date of first registration anywhere). It is intended as a guide only, and must be read in conjunction with all other applicable flowcharts. Follow the steps in the flowchart. Steps marked with a letter in a circle have supporting notes below the flowchart that you need to read.
Note: This flowchart is designed for original equipment (OE) production vehicles. Modified vehicles are unlikely to comply with the required standards.
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.
Notes for frontal impact flowchart
A: START: Is the car listed on one of the frontal impact lists?
See the lists on this website of the frontal impact compliance status of vehicles. These lists show, by make and model, those vehicles that manufacturers have advised as meeting (or not meeting) New Zealand's frontal impact requirements. Please note that the information in these lists is supplied by vehicle manufacturers, and is not exhaustive. Land Transport New Zealand has taken every reasonable precaution to ensure the accuracy of this information.
Read the appropriate list carefully, because some makes and models don't comply until they reach a particular model year or chassis number.
If your vehicle is not on this list, it may still comply with frontal impact requirements. If you can't find your Class MA vehicle in these lists, follow the steps in the appropriate flowchart in this infosheet to establish whether or not your vehicle meets an approved frontal impact standard.
B: Do you have proof the car meets an approved frontal impact standard?
One way of proving that the vehicle meets an approved frontal impact standard is with a Statement of Compliance. New Zealand also accepts proof of standards compliance from Japan, Australia, the United States and Europe. If your vehicle was first registered in one of these countries, see Infosheet 2.10 for Japan, Infosheet 2.11 for Australia, Infosheet 2.12 for the United States, or Infosheet 2.13 for Europe. You may be able to prove compliance with an approved frontal impact standard using one of these methods.
C: STOP
Don't ship the vehicle to New Zealand. Frontal impact protection systems can't be added in after a vehicle has been manufactured. If a vehicle wasn't designed, manufactured and certified as meeting an approved frontal impact standard, there is nothing that can be done to change this. The vehicle simply won't meet our frontal impact requirements.
Other standards flowchart
This flowchart applies to passenger cars (Class MA vehicles) imported from anywhere other than Japan, Australia, the United States or Europe and manufactured on or after 1 January 1990. It follows on from the frontal impact flowchart. It is intended as a guide only, and must be read in conjunction with all other applicable flowcharts.
Follow the steps in the flowchart. Steps marked with a letter in a circle have supporting notes below the flowchart that you need to read.
Note: This flowchart is designed for original equipment (OE) production vehicles. Modified vehicles are unlikely to comply with the required standards. If the vehicle is modified, we strongly recommend that you check with an entry certifier to make sure that the vehicle complies with required standards.
Notes for other standards flowchart
A: START: Do you have proof that the car meets approved standards?
One way of proving that the vehicle meets the required standards is with a Statement of Compliance. New Zealand also accepts proof of standards compliance from Japan, Australia, the United States and Europe. If your vehicle was first registered in one of these countries, see Infosheet 2.10 for Japan, Infosheet 2.11 for Australia, Infosheet 2.12 for the United States, or Infosheet 2.13 for Europe. You may be able to prove compliance with approved standards using one of these methods.
B: STOP
Don't ship the vehicle to New Zealand. If you can't prove that the vehicle meets New Zealand standards requirements, you won't be able to register it for use on New Zealand roads.
Ownership flowchart
This flowchart applies to passenger cars (Class MA vehicles) imported from anywhere other than Japan, Australia, the United States or Europe.
Either:
- the car is more than 20 years old (based on the date of first registration anywhere), or
- you have proof that the car complies with the required standards.
This flowchart follows on from the frontal impact flowchart and other standards flowchart. Follow the steps in the flowchart. Steps marked with a letter in a circle have supporting notes below the flowchart that you need to read.
Notes for ownership flowchart
A: START: Can you prove the vehicle is legally yours?
You'll need evidence that you're legally entitled to the vehicle. You must have original documents that establish an ownership trail back to the last registered owner in the country you're exporting the vehicle from (eg, deregistration or change of ownership papers) and invoices, bills of sale, receipts etc. You must have certified translations of any documents that aren't in English.
A Vehicle registration card that has been stamped 'Cancelled' or 'Deregistered' by the Singapore Land Transport Authority, or a Singapore De-Registration Certificate is acceptable proof of ownership for a vehicle imported from Singapore.
A Vehicle registration document that has been stamped 'Cancelled' or 'Deregistered' by the Hong Kong Transport Department that establishes an ownership trail between the vehicle and the vehicle importer is acceptable proof of ownership for a vehicle imported from Hong Kong.
B: STOP
Don't ship the vehicle to New Zealand. If you can't prove that the vehicle is legally yours, you won't be able to register it for use on New Zealand roads.
See also:
- Appendix 1: What's a Statement of Compliance?
- Appendix 2: Vehicle Registration Card - Singapore
- Appendix 3: Deregistration Certificate – Singapore
- Appendix 4: Vehicle Registration Document – Hong Kong
- 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).
Section 3: Importing forward-control vehicles (Class MB) or off-road vehicles (Class MC) from countries other than Japan, Australia, the United States or Europe
Please note: New Zealand has restrictions on left-hand drive vehicles. If you wish to import one of these, we strongly recommend that you read Factsheet 12 Importing a left-hand drive vehicle, before you go any further.
| Class | Description |
|---|---|
| MB (forward control passenger vehicle) | A passenger vehicle (other than a Class MC vehicle):
|
| MC (off-road passenger vehicle) | A passenger vehicle designed with special features for off-road
operation that has not more than nine seating positions (including the
driver's seating position), and that:
|
| Note: A passenger vehicle is a motor vehicle that is constructed primarily for the carriage of passengers, and either has at least four wheels, or has three wheels and a gross vehicle mass exceeding one tonne. | |
Be aware that your vehicle must meet the exhaust emissions requirements set out in infosheet 2.08.
If your vehicle meets the requirements in infosheet 2.08, you can continue with the following process.
If your vehicle is a Class MB or MC motor vehicle (see the table of vehicle classes above) and it was manufactured before 1 January 1990, go straight to the ownership flowchart.
If your vehicle was manufactured on or after 1 January 1990, but before 1 October 2003, there will be standards it has to meet — start at the standards flowchart.
If your vehicle was manufactured on or after 1 October 2003, it will need to meet a frontal impact standard in addition to other standards. Start at the frontal impact flowchart.
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.
Frontal impact flowchart
This flowchart applies to forward-control passenger vehicles ( Class MB ) and off-road passenger vehicles (Class MC) imported from countries other than Japan, Australia, the USA and Europe.
Follow the steps in the flowchart. Steps marked with a letter in a circle have supporting notes below the flowchart that you need to read.
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.
Notes for frontal impact flowchart
A: Do you have proof the vehicle meets an approved frontal impact standard?
One way of proving that a Class MB or Class MC vehicle meets an approved frontal impact standard is with a Statement of Compliance. New Zealand also accepts proof of standards compliance from Japan, Australia, the United States and Europe. If your vehicle was first registered in one of these countries, see Infosheet 2.10 for Japan, Infosheet 2.11 for Australia, Infosheet 2.12 for the United States, or Infosheet 2.13 for Europe. You may be able to prove compliance with an approved frontal impact standard using one of these methods.
B: STOP
Don't ship the vehicle to New Zealand. Frontal impact protection systems can't be added in after a vehicle has been manufactured. If a vehicle wasn't designed, manufactured and certified as meeting an approved frontal impact standard there is nothing that can be done to change this. The vehicle simply won't meet our frontal impact requirements.
Standards flowchart
This flowchart applies to forward-control passenger vehicles (Class MB) and off-road passenger vehicles (Class MC) imported from countries other than Japan, Australia, the USA or Europe, and manufactured on or after 1 January 1990.
Follow the steps in the flowchart. Steps marked with a letter in a circle have supporting notes below the flowchart that you need to read.
Notes for standards flowchart
A: START: Do you have proof that the vehicle meets approved standards?
One way of proving that the vehicle meets an approved standard is with a Statement of Compliance. New Zealand also accepts proof of standards compliance from Japan, Australia, the United States and Europe. If your vehicle was first registered in one of these countries, see Infosheet 2.10 for Japan, Infosheet 2.11 for Australia, Infosheet 2.12 for the United States, or Infosheet 2.13 for Europe. You may be able to prove compliance with approved standards using one of these methods.
B: STOP
Don't ship the vehicle to New Zealand. If you can't prove that the vehicle meets New Zealand standards requirements, you won't be able to register it for use on New Zealand roads.
Ownership flowchart
This flowchart applies to forward-control passenger vehicles (Class MB) and off-road passenger vehicles (Class MC) imported from countries other than Japan, Australia, the USA or Europe.
It applies if you've got proof the vehicle complies with the standards required in New Zealand, or if the vehicle was manufactured before 1 January 1990.
Follow the steps in the flowchart. Steps marked with a letter in a circle have supporting notes below the flowchart that you need to read.
Notes for ownership flowchart
A: START: Can you prove the vehicle is legally yours?
You'll need evidence that you're legally entitled to the vehicle. You must have original documents that establish an ownership trail back to the last registered owner in the country you're exporting the vehicle from (eg deregistration or change of ownership papers) and invoices, bills of sale, receipts etc. You must have certified translations of any documents that aren't in English.
A Vehicle registration card that has been stamped 'Cancelled' or 'Deregistered' by the Singapore Land Transport Authority, or a Singapore De-Registration Certificate is acceptable proof of ownership for a vehicle imported from Singapore.
A Vehicle registration document that has been stamped 'Cancelled' or 'Deregistered' by the Hong Kong Transport Department that establishes an ownership trail between the vehicle and the vehicle importer is acceptable proof of ownership for a vehicle imported from Hong Kong.
B: STOP
Don't ship the vehicle to New Zealand. If you can't prove that the vehicle is legally yours, you won't be able to register it for use on New Zealand roads.
See also:
- Appendix 1: What's a Statement of Compliance?
- Appendix 2: Vehicle Registration Card - Singapore
- Appendix 3: Deregistration Certificate – Singapore
- Appendix 4: Vehicle Registration Document – Hong Kong
- 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).
Section 4: Importing goods vehicles (Class NA, NB, and NC), minibuses (Class MD1 and MD2) or buses (Class MD3, MD4, and ME) from countries other than Japan, Australia, the USA, or Europe
Please note: New Zealand has restrictions on left-hand drive vehicles. If you wish to import one of these, we strongly recommend that you read Factsheet 12 Importing a left-hand drive vehicle, before you go any further.
| Class | Description |
|---|---|
| MD (light omnibus) | An omnibus that has a gross vehicle mass not exceeding 5 tonnes. |
| MD 1 | An omnibus that has a gross vehicle mass not exceeding 3.5 tonnes and not more than 12 seats. |
| MD 2 | An omnibus that has a gross vehicle mass not exceeding 3.5 tonnes and more than 12 seats. |
| MD 3 | An omnibus that has a gross vehicle mass exceeding 3.5 tonnes but not exceeding 4.5 tonnes. |
| MD 4 | An omnibus that has a gross vehicle mass exceeding 4.5 tonnes but not exceeding 5 tonnes. |
| ME | An omnibus that has a gross vehicle mass exceeding 5 tonnes. |
| NA (light goods vehicle) | A goods vehicle that has a gross vehicle mass not exceeding 3.5 tonnes. |
| NB (medium goods vehicle) | A goods vehicle that has a gross vehicle mass exceeding 3.5 tonnes but not exceeding 12 tonnes. |
| NC (heavy goods vehicle) | A goods vehicle that has a gross vehicle mass exceeding 12 tonnes. |
Note: A passenger vehicle is a motor vehicle that is constructed primarily for the carriage of passengers, and either has
at least four wheels, or has three wheels and a gross vehicle mass exceeding one tonne. |
|
Important: This will mean that you MUST check for compliance with one of the approved brake standards if you want to import a heavy vehicle of Class MD3, MD4, ME, NB or NC, no matter what date the vehicle was manufactured. This infosheet now details some means of providing compliance. |
|
Be aware that your vehicle must meet the exhaust emissions requirements set out in infosheet 2.08.
If your vehicle meets the requirements in infosheet 2.08, you can continue with the following process.
If your vehicle is a light goods vehicle (Class NA), or a minibus (Class MD1 or MD2), (see the table of vehicle classes above for definitions) and it was manufactured before 1 January 1990, go straight to the ownership flowchart. If your vehicle was manufactured on or after 1 January 1990 there will be standards it has to meet – start at the standards flowchart.
If your vehicle is a heavy goods vehicle (class NB or NC), or a bus (class MD3, MD4 or ME), read on:
Heavy-vehicle brake standards
The new requirements in the Heavy-vehicle Brakes Rule apply to imported heavy vehicles of classes MD3, MD4, ME, NB and NC that are first registered in New Zealand after 1 July 2008. You must check for compliance with one of the approved brake standards if you want to import a heavy vehicle of class MD3, MD4, ME, NB or NC, no matter what date the vehicle was manufactured.
Detailed information about how to prove compliance with an approved brake standard is given in:
Vehicle inspection requirements manual: Entry Certification, Brakes: 8-1 Service brake and park brake (PDF, 232 KB), pages 8-1-3 and 8-1-4, and Vehicle inspection requirements manual: Entry certification, Technical bulletin 31 – Brakes standard compliance (PDF, 287 KB).
Standards flowchart
This flowchart applies to goods vehicles (Class NA, NB, or NC), minibuses (Class MD1 or MD2), or buses (Class MD3, MD4, or ME) imported from countries other than Japan, Australia, the USA or Europe, and manufactured on or after 1 January 1990.
Follow the steps in the flowchart. Steps marked with a letter in a circle have supporting notes below the flowchart that you need to read.
Please note: Many heavy vehicles will need to be modified to meet additional New Zealand requirements, and be certified by a heavy vehicle specialist certifier, before they can enter the fleet. These modifications can be carried out after the vehicle is imported into New Zealand. For more information on these requirements, see Land Transport Rule: Heavy Vehicles 2004 and Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2002.
Please note also that your heavy vehicle must have a chassis rating approved by Land Transport New Zealand before it can be registered for use on the road. Contact an entry certifier for the chassis rating application forms and procedure.
Notes for standards flowchart
A: START: Do you have proof that the vehicle meets approved standards?
One way of proving that the vehicle meets an approved standard is with a Statement of Compliance (see later in this Infosheet). New Zealand also accepts proof of standards compliance from Japan, Australia, the United States and Europe. If your vehicle was first registered in one of these countries see Infosheet 2.10 for Japan, Infosheet 2.11 for Australia, Infosheet 2.12 for the United States, or Infosheet 2.13 for Europe. You may be able to prove compliance with approved standards using one of these methods.
B: STOP
Don't ship the vehicle to New Zealand. If you can't prove that the vehicle meets New Zealand standards requirements, you won't be able to register it for use on New Zealand roads.
Ownership flowchart
This flowchart applies to goods vehicles (Class NA, NB, or NC), minibuses(Class MD1 or MD2), or buses (Class MD3, MD4, or ME) imported from countries other than Japan, Australia, the USA or Europe.
It applies if you've got proof the vehicle complies with the standards required in New Zealand, or if the vehicle was manufactured before 1 January 1990.
Follow the steps in the flowchart. Steps marked with a letter in a circle have supporting notes below the flowchart that you need to read.
Notes for ownership flowchart
A: START: Can you prove the vehicle is legally yours?
You'll need evidence that you're legally entitled to the vehicle. You must have original documents that establish an ownership trail back to the last registered owner in the country you're exporting the vehicle from (eg, deregistration or change of ownership papers) and invoices, bills of sale, receipts etc. You must have certified translations of any documents that aren't in English.
A Vehicle registration card that has been stamped 'Cancelled' or 'Deregistered' by the Singapore Land Transport Authority, or a Singapore De-Registration Certificate is acceptable proof of ownership for a vehicle imported from Singapore.
A Vehicle registration document that has been stamped 'Cancelled' or 'Deregistered' by the Hong Kong Transport Department that establishes an ownership trail between the vehicle and the vehicle importer is acceptable proof of ownership for a vehicle imported from Hong Kong.
B: STOP
Don't ship the vehicle to New Zealand. If you can't prove that the vehicle is legally yours, you won't be able to register it for use on New Zealand roads.
See also:
- Appendix 1: What's a Statement of Compliance?
- Appendix 2: Vehicle Registration Card - Singapore
- Appendix 3: Deregistration Certificate – Singapore
- Appendix 4: Vehicle Registration Document – Hong Kong
- 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).
Section 5: Importing heavy trailers (Class TC and TD) from countries other than Japan, Australia, the USA or Europe
| Class | Description |
|---|---|
| TC (medium trailer) | A trailer that has a gross vehicle mass exceeding 3.5 tonnes but not exceeding 10 tonnes. |
| TD (heavy trailer) | A trailer that has a gross vehicle mass exceeding 10 tonnes. |
Heavy-vehicle brake requirements
The Heavy-vehicle Brakes Rule that came into force on 1 March 2007 requires that vehicles of class TC and TD first registered in New Zealand on or after 1 July 2008 will in most cases need to be fitted with ABS, EBS or LSV. Detailed information about how to prove compliance with brake requirements is given in
Vehicle inspection requirements manual: Entry Certification, Brakes: 8-1 Service brake and park brake (PDF, 232 KB), page 8-1-5.
Please note:
- If your vehicle is a heavy trailer (class TC or TD) there are standards it has to meet, but they are for vehicle lighting components and tyres, that can be fitted to the vehicle after it has entered New Zealand (see Infosheet 1.10: Vehicle classes and the standards they must meet).
- As well as meeting the standards in Infosheet 1.10, many heavy vehicles will need to be modified to meet additional New Zealand requirements, and be certified by a heavy-vehicle specialist certifier, before they can enter the fleet. These modifications can be carried out after the vehicle is imported into New Zealand. For more information on these requirements, see Land Transport Rule: Heavy Vehicles 2004, Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2002, and Land Transport Rule: Heavy-vehicle Brakes 2006.
- Your heavy vehicle must have a chassis rating approved by Land Transport New Zealand before it can be registered for use on the road. Contact an entry certifier for the chassis rating application forms and procedure.
Go to the ownership flowchart.
Ownership flowchart
This flowchart applies to heavy trailers (Class TC or TD) imported from countries other than Japan, Australia, the USA and Europe. Follow the steps in the flowchart. Steps marked with a letter in a circle have supporting notes below the flowchart that you need to read.
Notes for ownership flowchart
A: START: Can you prove the vehicle is legally yours?
You'll need evidence that you're legally entitled to the vehicle. You must have original documents that establish an ownership trail back to the last registered owner in the country you're exporting the vehicle from (eg, deregistration or change of ownership papers) and invoices, bills of sale, receipts etc. You must have certified translations of any documents that aren't in English.
A Vehicle registration card that has been stamped 'Cancelled' or 'Deregistered' by the Singapore Land Transport Authority, or a Singapore De-Registration Certificate is acceptable proof of ownership for a vehicle imported from Singapore.
A Vehicle registration document that has been stamped 'Cancelled' or 'Deregistered' by the Hong Kong Transport Department that establishes an ownership trail between the vehicle and the vehicle importer is acceptable proof of ownership for a vehicle imported from Hong Kong.
B: STOP
Don't ship the vehicle to New Zealand. If you can't prove that the vehicle is legally yours, you won't be able to register it for use on New Zealand roads.
See also:
- Appendix 1: What's a Statement of Compliance?
- Appendix 2: Vehicle Registration Card - Singapore
- Appendix 3: Deregistration Certificate – Singapore
- Appendix 4: Vehicle Registration Document – Hong Kong
- 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).
Appendix 1: What is a Statement of Compliance?
A Statement of Compliance is a statement from an authorised representative of a vehicle's manufacturer listing the standards to which the vehicle was certified when it was made. If these standards are approved vehicle standards, as listed in New Zealand Rules and Regulations, the Statement of Compliance is acceptable proof that the vehicle meets the required standards.
Follow these steps to get a Statement of Compliance:
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Contact an authorised representative of the company that manufactured the vehicle. The representative must be either a New Zealand representative, or an overseas representative of the vehicle manufacturer who is authorised by the manufacturer to issue Statements of Compliance.
Read the list of New Zealand representatives authorised to issue Statements of Compliance on this website, or call our helpdesk (freephone 0800 699 000).
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Ask the authorised representative to complete a Statement of Compliance (as shown in the sample Statement of Compliance at the end of this appendix), and provide you with a covering letter on company letterhead. The authorised representative must sign both the Statement of Compliance and the covering letter. You must present the original documents to the entry certifier.
The manufacturer's authorised representative is not obliged to do this for you, but if they do offer this service, they will probably charge a fee.
Vehicle manufacturers can attach a schedule to the Statement of Compliance, listing the standards to which the vehicle was certified. However, the Statement of Compliance must still be completed and signed. They should write the words 'see attached schedule' on the part of the table where the standards are specified.
Before you ship a vehicle to New Zealand, we strongly advise you to get confirmation from an entry certifier that your Statement of Compliance lists standards that are accepted in New Zealand.
Be aware that your vehicle must meet the exhaust emissions requirements set out in infosheet 2.08.
Please note: Standards for heavy-vehicle brakes will be introduced through the Heavy-vehicle Brakes Rule, which came into force on 1 March 2007. Imported heavy vehicles of Classes MD3, MD4, ME, NB and NC that are first registered in New Zealand after 1 July 2008 will need to meet an approved brake standard. In addition vehicles of Classes NB or NC intended to be used to tow heavy trailers will in most cases need to be fitted with ABS, EBS or LSV. Vehicles of Class TC and TD first registered in New Zealand on or after 1 July 2008 will in most cases need to be fitted with ABS, EBS or LSV.
This will mean that you MUST check for compliance with one of the approved brake standards if you want to import a heavy vehicle of Class MD3, MD4, ME, NB or NC, no matter what date the vehicle was manufactured.
Detailed information about how to prove compliance with an approved brake standard is given in:
Vehicle inspection requirements manual: Entry Certification, Brakes: 8-1 Service brake and park brake (PDF, 312 KB), pages 8-1-3 and 8-1-4, and Vehicle inspection requirements manual: Entry certification, Technical bulletin 31 – Brakes standard compliance (PDF, 1.2 MB).
Statement of Compliance
| Make | |
| Model | |
| Model code(s) | |
| Year of manufacture | |
| VIN/chassis number |
| Component/system | Standard(s) met (eg, UN/ECE Regulation No. 16 for seat belts) |
|---|---|
| Door retention systems | |
| Interior impact | |
| Steering systems | |
| Seats and seat anchorages | |
| Frontal impact | |
| External projections | |
| Head restraints | |
| Seatbelts | |
| Seatbelt anchorages | |
| Glazing | |
| Rear-view mirrors | |
Brakes |
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| Lighting equipment installation | |
| Lighting components | |
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| Tyres | |
| In-built child restraint | |
| Side impact | |
| Emissions | |
| Noise |
| Name and title | |
| Company | |
| Address |
- I confirm that the components and systems listed above comply with UN/ECE Regulations, EEC/EC/EU Directives, ADRs, Japanese domestic standards, or other approved standards for which type approvals are issued by the controlling jurisdictions or certification bodies at the time of manufacture.
- I also confirm that where test certificates necessary to claim compliance with the above standards are required by the controlling standards authority, these are in existence for the vehicle(s), components and systems identified above and explicitly cover the production facility/facilities where the vehicle(s), components and systems were manufactured.
- I also confirm that, for any components and systems complying with FMVSSs:
- test results are in existence demonstrating compliance of the components and systems with FMVSSs; and
- arrangements are in place to ensure conformity of production to cover all stages of manufacture of the vehicle(s), components and systems; and
- the components and systems are designed and manufactured for use in the USA.
| Signed | Dated |
Appendix 2: Vehicle Registration Card — Singapore
Appendix 3: Deregistration Certificate — Singapore
Appendix 4: Vehicle Registration Document — Hong Kong
Infosheet series
Land Transport New Zealand
Ikiiki Whenua Aotearoa