Did a lazy search - sorry if this is a repeat (car import q)
Discussion
I've recently been thinking about a move from the UK and moving back to NZ is one of the options on the table.
I have a few older cars I'd like to keep, but I've been told anything older than 1996 is unlikely to meet NZ reg's for safety/emissions. If this is true, are there any exemptions that are worth exploring?
I had a cursory hunt through previous posts but couldn't see anything obvious to help me - apologies if this has been covered in detail before.
I have a few older cars I'd like to keep, but I've been told anything older than 1996 is unlikely to meet NZ reg's for safety/emissions. If this is true, are there any exemptions that are worth exploring?
I had a cursory hunt through previous posts but couldn't see anything obvious to help me - apologies if this has been covered in detail before.
Sneak said:
I've recently been thinking about a move from the UK and moving back to NZ is one of the options on the table.
I have a few older cars I'd like to keep, but I've been told anything older than 1996 is unlikely to meet NZ reg's for safety/emissions. If this is true, are there any exemptions that are worth exploring?
I had a cursory hunt through previous posts but couldn't see anything obvious to help me - apologies if this has been covered in detail before.
I was able to bring my TVR as it fell in the 20 year or older category which exempted frontal impact etc.I have a few older cars I'd like to keep, but I've been told anything older than 1996 is unlikely to meet NZ reg's for safety/emissions. If this is true, are there any exemptions that are worth exploring?
I had a cursory hunt through previous posts but couldn't see anything obvious to help me - apologies if this has been covered in detail before.
I'll try and find a link but there are experts on here with good info that will be along shortly...
See if you can get your head around this http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/factsheets/44a/i...
When I brought my car in, I discovered that the rules can be ambiguous and can be read to suit your circumstances but NZTA will interpret it the other way and suit them! Another thing I found was my car didn't need a high level brake light for compliance but did for the WoF so needed to be fitted. Advice given by the certifier was that the age of the car doesn't require it, but date of import does so only need it to fit one when getting the 6 monthly WoF.
When I brought my car in, I discovered that the rules can be ambiguous and can be read to suit your circumstances but NZTA will interpret it the other way and suit them! Another thing I found was my car didn't need a high level brake light for compliance but did for the WoF so needed to be fitted. Advice given by the certifier was that the age of the car doesn't require it, but date of import does so only need it to fit one when getting the 6 monthly WoF.
Isn't there the 'Special Interest Vehicle' thing too ?
When I brought my TVR in (a while ago, before current regs) NZTA insisted on a high level brake light, but they let me get away with putting one on/in the boot lid, as high as I could get it.
Other than that and checking headlight markings for 'E' numbers (or suchlike) it was no real hassle....
When I brought my TVR in (a while ago, before current regs) NZTA insisted on a high level brake light, but they let me get away with putting one on/in the boot lid, as high as I could get it.
Other than that and checking headlight markings for 'E' numbers (or suchlike) it was no real hassle....
RCK974X said:
Isn't there the 'Special Interest Vehicle' thing too ?
An SIV permit will excused frontal impact and emission standards only. It has to satisfy 3 of the following 4: a)collector's car, b)low production number (<20000), c)2-door coupe, 4)high-performance http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/factsheets/44b/s...
mark387mw said:
See if you can get your head around this http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/factsheets/44a/i...
...and if you're still confused, feel free to PM me 
mark387mw said:
I thought the same about flexibility but think the opposite that suits you, and you'll be right.
Depends exactly which bit of the law you're dealing with. The immigrant's vehicle thing has less flexibility than elsewhere (deliberately, due to past abuses), but there are occasionally other ways to skin that particular cat. mark387mw said:
Thread hijack, can anyone in the know advise about importing a late model Corvette from the US. (should I start a new thread?)
That should be pretty straightforward. You can get a LHD SIV permit, and anything late model enough will meet emissions and everything else it needs to. Look for Factsheet 12 on the NZTA site and pm me if you have any issues/questions.mark387mw said:
I'll have a look during the day tomorrow thanks. Can you answer me this please - does a car attract 10% import duty? I thought it did but have been told it doesn't. Just the GST.
I don't think it does (I've certainly never heard of it), but this isn't my area (I do standards stuff). 
I think it also depends on if you are a returning Kiwi or a 'new' arrival. I think you have a one off import exemption in certain circumstances.
This was the e-mail reply from NZTA. I brought a 99 Boxster in without trouble.
New Zealand allows new and used vehicles to be imported, but has legal requirements to regulate the quality and safety of all vehicles that are imported into New Zealand for use on the road. Although the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) endeavours to provide helpful information regarding the importation of vehicles, it is not our function to offer advice about the purchase and importation of particular vehicles. Our Factsheet 44a - Immigrants Vehicles advises the criteria you and your vehicle will need to meet to allow the vehicle to be granted immigrants status. Immigrants status will allow you to import one vehicle exempt from the emission and frontal impact standards. However, your vehicle will need to meet all other applicable requirements as well as the general safety requirements of the Land Transport Frontal Impact Rule 2001 and the Land Transport Vehicle Exhaust Emissions Rule 2007. To have a vehicle identified as belonging to an immigrant or returning New Zealander, the person must: be a New Zealand citizen, a New Zealand resident or a person entitled under the Immigration Act 1987 to take up permanent residence, have lived outside New Zealand for a period of not less than 21 months before the date of his or her arrival in, or return to, New Zealand, have personally owned the vehicle, have personally owned and registered the vehicle for personal use in a country outside New Zealand for a period of at least one year before the applicants arrival in, or return to, New Zealand, not have had any other vehicle identified as an immigrant's vehicle, not have imported, or be importing, the vehicle on behalf of, or for, a third party. A link to Factsheet 44a is below for your information. www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/factsheets/44a/immigran... General Import Information:For your information the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) website is available for you to make an informed decision. To determine whether the vehicle you wish to import will meet document and standards requirements to be issued entry certification you will need to read the 'Guide to Importing a Vehicle'. I have provided a link to this guide below. www.nzta.govt.nz/vehicle/importing/index.html. The organisations listed below are appointed by the Director of the NZ Transport Agency to advise on the suitability of vehicles for import. They carry out entry certification of imported used vehicles and new vehicles that are imported by persons other than the vehicle manufacturer’s representative in New Zealand: Automobile Association (AA), phone +64 9 966 8800, fax +64 9 966 8893, email aatech@aa.co.nz
I e-mailed the AA in NZ and they were much more helpful asked for the VIN plate which they went away to check and confirmed the vehicle was okay to bring in. Registration and WoF etc cost about $800NZD when we got the car here.
Go for it if you can.
This was the e-mail reply from NZTA. I brought a 99 Boxster in without trouble.
New Zealand allows new and used vehicles to be imported, but has legal requirements to regulate the quality and safety of all vehicles that are imported into New Zealand for use on the road. Although the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) endeavours to provide helpful information regarding the importation of vehicles, it is not our function to offer advice about the purchase and importation of particular vehicles. Our Factsheet 44a - Immigrants Vehicles advises the criteria you and your vehicle will need to meet to allow the vehicle to be granted immigrants status. Immigrants status will allow you to import one vehicle exempt from the emission and frontal impact standards. However, your vehicle will need to meet all other applicable requirements as well as the general safety requirements of the Land Transport Frontal Impact Rule 2001 and the Land Transport Vehicle Exhaust Emissions Rule 2007. To have a vehicle identified as belonging to an immigrant or returning New Zealander, the person must: be a New Zealand citizen, a New Zealand resident or a person entitled under the Immigration Act 1987 to take up permanent residence, have lived outside New Zealand for a period of not less than 21 months before the date of his or her arrival in, or return to, New Zealand, have personally owned the vehicle, have personally owned and registered the vehicle for personal use in a country outside New Zealand for a period of at least one year before the applicants arrival in, or return to, New Zealand, not have had any other vehicle identified as an immigrant's vehicle, not have imported, or be importing, the vehicle on behalf of, or for, a third party. A link to Factsheet 44a is below for your information. www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/factsheets/44a/immigran... General Import Information:For your information the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) website is available for you to make an informed decision. To determine whether the vehicle you wish to import will meet document and standards requirements to be issued entry certification you will need to read the 'Guide to Importing a Vehicle'. I have provided a link to this guide below. www.nzta.govt.nz/vehicle/importing/index.html. The organisations listed below are appointed by the Director of the NZ Transport Agency to advise on the suitability of vehicles for import. They carry out entry certification of imported used vehicles and new vehicles that are imported by persons other than the vehicle manufacturer’s representative in New Zealand: Automobile Association (AA), phone +64 9 966 8800, fax +64 9 966 8893, email aatech@aa.co.nz
I e-mailed the AA in NZ and they were much more helpful asked for the VIN plate which they went away to check and confirmed the vehicle was okay to bring in. Registration and WoF etc cost about $800NZD when we got the car here.
Go for it if you can.
I need to go back to the UK this week due to family bereavement and the NSX is much cheaper there than here.Gassing Station | New Zealand | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff