Any Car, Van, Ute or Truck imported into NZ from the UK must meet Euro IV stage 4 standards.
Euro 4 standards were mandatory in the UK from January 2007, however don’t presume a car will comply if it was registered after this date. There were certain instances of manufacturers getting pre registration deferrals. It is not uncommon for a 2007 registered car to fail to comply. For example many 2007 Toyota Hilux are only Euro 3 even when registered very late in the year. At the same time many European manufacturers were proactive in making sure their vehicles complied in advance of the cut off point so many vehicles will comply from mid 2006. It is not uncommon for German performance and luxury cars to comply from as early as 2002′
We pre check a cars Euro standards as part of our background checks before we advise you to proceed with a physical inspection.
Imported vehicles from the UK are taxed at 15% GST. Boats, Caravans and Motorhomes will also be liable for a Tariff at 10% of the invoice price.
For more information on import taxes consult the New Zealand Customs website.
Once your new vehicle is customs cleared it will have to undergo a compliance test to get its entry certification. These tests can take place at a compliance centre recognized by the NZTA.
The paperwork you will require for the test include an original copy of the V5 Logbook or Export Certificate.
A copy of the cars Bill of Lading which your shipper will supply for you.
An original invoice to show you are the owner of the vehicle.
If you ship with our partners Autohub they will take care of most of this process for you.
All imported vehicles must pass safety emissions and frontal impact standards However all Euro 4 standard UK cars will meet these standards. We can advice on low volume or specialist vehicles.
If you import a vehicle into New Zealand that has excessive corrosion, is in a damaged state or has previously been repaired, it will get flagged at the compliance stage. At best you will require a repair certificate which means you will have to get the vehicle repaired and re examined for the flag to be lifted. This must be done by a certified repairer and will add greatly to your costs. Even after repairs your vehicle may remain permanently listed as a previously repaired imported vehicle which will severely impact its resale value. At worst the vehicle may be refused compliance and you will be left with a vehicle that you cannot register and cannot use legally on NZ roads.
Our inspections will confirm if a vehicle has been previously crashed, had panel replacement or been subject to structural repairs. All UK vehicles will have a level of underside corrosion which will need some tidying upon arrival but we will photograph and advice based on our years of experience inspecting vehicles for the NZ market.
Even light underside corrosion can be a problem when importing into NZ. While suspension parts or mounting brackets can be blasted clean there are specific structural points that will require close examination. There are also reasons why small sill and floor dents or cosmetic roof creases can be listed as structural problems so it is highly advised that you make sure any vehicle you purchase gets fully inspected prior to shipping.
Once your new vehicle is complied it will need to be registered and get a warrant of fitness (WOF) like any other NZ vehicle.
For more information on New Zealand vehicle import regulations and registration requirements consult the New Zealand Transport Agency.
For more information on entry certification, Registration and Warrant of fitness consult Vehicle Testing New Zealand.