Importing more than one car into NZ
Discussion
Does anyone know if there are any rules concerning the number of cars an immigrant to NZ can import? I have a bad feeling that it's only one which, if true, will mean me having the dubious task of having to register the vehicles into the names of other family members whilst still in the UK.......not ideal and a real ball ache 
Time-frame is probably 18 months time so I'll still have time to comply with the 12 month ownership rule prior to departure....does anyone know the definitive answer on this? The intention was to bring 3 cars and a motorbike and the thought of registering a Triumph Rocket in the name of my 17 year old daughter, frankly, fills me with horror!
Time-frame is probably 18 months time so I'll still have time to comply with the 12 month ownership rule prior to departure....does anyone know the definitive answer on this? The intention was to bring 3 cars and a motorbike and the thought of registering a Triumph Rocket in the name of my 17 year old daughter, frankly, fills me with horror!
A new 2010 Rocket III will cost you NZ$26K (£11.8K). If you can get over £10K for your one in the UK it may not be worth bringing it to NZ by the time you pay freight, etc. Applies to the cars too. It's not always worth shipping vehicles to NZ unless they are rare or worth a lot more here.
Atom Johnny said:
A new 2010 Rocket III will cost you NZ$26K (£11.8K). If you can get over £10K for your one in the UK it may not be worth bringing it to NZ by the time you pay freight, etc. Applies to the cars too. It's not always worth shipping vehicles to NZ unless they are rare or worth a lot more here.
AJ, I've checked the cost of pre-owned Aston Martins over there and, trust me, it's worth me shipping as long as I avoid the GST. In fact my MY2007 Vantage is worth in NZ what I paid for it new in the UK. https://used.astonmartin.com/en-GB/Search/Results/...
I haven't looked into the ML or Z4 but was assuming a similar premium on these cars for buying over there. As far as the Rocket goes, I'm rather attached to it so would probably go the route of paying the GST regardless.
Steve*B said:
I haven't looked into the ML or Z4 but was assuming a similar premium on these cars for buying over there.
These links should give you an idea.....New Z4
or
Secondhand Z4
New ML63
or
Secondhand ML63
New Vantage
or
Secondhand Vantage
AJ, Thanks for the time in putting this together.
From those links I can say that it would cost me the best part of NZ$100k to sell in the UK and replace with the NZ equivalent on a like for like basis for all 3 cars. This confirms my suspicions that it is very much worth the exercise in importing what I already have. Unfortunately, it still does appear that new immigrants are allowed just one car per person to avoid GST, though this is yet to be confirmed definitively.
From those links I can say that it would cost me the best part of NZ$100k to sell in the UK and replace with the NZ equivalent on a like for like basis for all 3 cars. This confirms my suspicions that it is very much worth the exercise in importing what I already have. Unfortunately, it still does appear that new immigrants are allowed just one car per person to avoid GST, though this is yet to be confirmed definitively.
If the cars meet the standards they need to (for emissions etc), there is no limit on the number you can bring in. You wouldn't need to worry about using the immigrant's vehicle concession, which is only needed for vehicles that don't meet emissions or frontal impact standards. The cars in your profile all look new enough for standards not to be a problem, but make sure before you commit to anything.
From the GST side of things, have a look at this factsheet. It does look like you can bring in more than one vehicle GST free...
From the GST side of things, have a look at this factsheet. It does look like you can bring in more than one vehicle GST free...
D1GGY said:
I can ask customs tomorrow when I am paying my duty if you like?
PM me if you would like me to me ask any specific questions....I will be setting off at 8.30am NZ time.
m
Thanks Mark, that's be great. Specifically I just need to know whether a new immigrant is able to import more than one vehicle without paying GST on vehicles that meet their criteria?, i.e. owned for 12 months in another country prior to shipping, or is there a rule that says one car per person to qualify? I realise I can bring as many cars as I like if I'm prepared to pay the GST.PM me if you would like me to me ask any specific questions....I will be setting off at 8.30am NZ time.
m
Steve
uncinqsix said:
From the GST side of things, have a look at this factsheet. It does look like you can bring in more than one vehicle GST free...
Thanks Stu.....the factsheet is most helpfulOK, the customs officer I spoke with advised me that you can bring more than 1 car and pay no GST provided that:-
You have residency status (or similar)
have owned the vehicle(s) in your name, for more than 1 year and have all the title docs etc to prove this.
have lived outside of NZ for more than 21 months
this is your first occasion of migrating to NZ
you cannot sell any of them within 2 years, otherwise customs will want some money!
My local office is in Wellington, they can be contacted on +64 (0)4 473 6099 maybe worth a chat just to confirm in person...
HTH
Mark
You have residency status (or similar)
have owned the vehicle(s) in your name, for more than 1 year and have all the title docs etc to prove this.
have lived outside of NZ for more than 21 months
this is your first occasion of migrating to NZ
you cannot sell any of them within 2 years, otherwise customs will want some money!
My local office is in Wellington, they can be contacted on +64 (0)4 473 6099 maybe worth a chat just to confirm in person...
HTH
Mark
Gassing Station | New Zealand | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff