Shipping Vehicles to New Zealand

Oct 30. 2019

The importation of motor vehicles and motorcycles into New Zealand is highly regulated and as such there are a number of requirements you need to be aware of with a number of key government departments.

Here we take a look at some of the customs regulations affecting the importing of cars/ motorbikes into New Zealand.

New Zealand allows the importation of motor vehicles and motorcycles provided they meet applicable safety and emissions requirements. You must also have acceptable proof of entitlement of the vehicle, and standards compliance at origin. Visiting the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) website will give you the most up to date information and very helpful factsheets. It is critical that you ensure your vehicle meets the requirements before considering shipping to New Zealand

Upon arrival to New Zealand all motor vehicles and motorcycles will need to be cleared with New Zealand Customs. Depending on your residential status and length of ownership of your vehicle you may be able to import it free of GST.

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 an international removal company will arrange for you as part of their process. If any risk material is found in or on your motor vehicle, motorcycle or trailer then additional cleaning services will be required.

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

All motor vehicles and motorcycles must undergo 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, and arrange warrant of fitness (WOF) and registration.

All countries have rigid laws about importing cars and with their strictly enforced quarantine clearance procedures, you’ll need the advice and guidance of an international removals company to ensure you comply with all New Zealand regulations.

Our International department can be contacted on 01902 714555 or at sales@burkebros.co.uk and further details about our moving services to New Zealand can be found here.