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Importing a car into New Zealand

When you come to New Zealand you can consider bringing your vehicle with you. Before you leave, contact your local FIA or AIT for more information on the Carnet system.

When you arrive in New Zealand, visit an AA Inspection Centre to complete a "Registration of an Overseas Visitors Vehicle (MR2b)" application form and arrange an Entry Compliance inspection of the vehicle.

Temporary

Tourists visiting New Zealand can temporarily import a car for up to 12 months. During this time, the car doesn't have to complete standard permanent importation certification. It can display its existing plates while being driven here and you won't have to pay importation taxes.

To do this, there are some requirements as the car must:

Be currently licensed in its country of origin
Be recorded on the Overseas Visitors Licence register
Pass a New Zealand Warrant of Fitness (WoF)
Have a current WoF sticker affixed to the windscreen

You must be a citizen of the country the car is registered in and you'll need to pay an Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) premium when you arrive in this country.

This is so that if you have an accident while driving in New Zealand, ACC may cover part of your medical bills. This premium-paid label must be affixed to your car's windscreen.

Ways to import your car

The Carnet system

This is a document much like a passport for your car. Arrange a Carnet de Passages en Douane (Carnet) through your local FAI/AIT before bringing your vehicle into New Zealand. Your car will be cleared at customs when it arrives in the country. While we can't process this clearance for you, we're happy to explain what's involved.

The Collector of Customs

Lodge a cash deposit with the Collector of Customs. This deposit needs to cover the relevant Goods and Services Tax. If you're bringing in a campervan, the deposit should also over the applicable duty

Pricing

This varies depending on the vehicle and country of origin.

Permanent importation

If you want to import a car permanently into New Zealand, there are a number of legal requirements to be met.

It's our job to complete this process for you. We're approved by Land Transport New Zealand (LTNZ) to be a Transport Services Delivery Agent (TSDA), which means we can certify these imported light used vehicles for personal use: