Importing a Car from the USA to New Zealand? Car imports from the USA to New Zealand start at a cost of $2,395 USD with an estimated turnaround time of 30 days, depending on make and model of the vehicle, the nearest departure port in the United States, and your final destination in New Zealand. Below, our 2024 guide will explore everything you need to know about importing cars from the USA to New Zealand.
US to New Zealand Vehicle Import Checklist
Vehicle Import Options
Vehicle Import Approval
US to New Zealand Car Import Costs & Time Frame
US to New Zealand Vehicle Import Options
Additional Services
Ports Served in the US and New Zealand
Cleaning Your Vehicle of Biosecurity Concerns
Plating Your Vehicle in New Zealand
Other New Zealand/US Shipping Options
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Want more information on car import services to New Zealand from USA?
Read on below for our US to New Zealand Vehicle Import Checklist, Vehicle Import Options, US to New Zealand Car Import Costs & Time Frame, US to New Zealand Vehicle Import Options, Ports Served in the US & New Zealand, and other details for Car Import from USA to New Zealand.
US to New Zealand Vehicle Import Checklist
Here’s a rough breakdown of the process you’ll need to go through to import your vehicle to New Zealand.
More information on the process of importing a vehicle to New Zealand can be found here.
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Vehicle Import Options
As you engage in the vehicle import process, some of the most important questions to consider include:
These questions and more will determine whether your car is eligible for shipping to New Zealand. New Zealand allows the import of new and used vehicles, provided the vehicle meets applicable standards, safety and emissions requirements.
There must also be acceptable proof of entitlement to the vehicle and standards compliance. You should never assume your scenario is the same as someone else’s. Some vehicles such as classic cars may have eligibility requirements that differ from those for newer vehicles.
Controls under New Zealand Land Transport Rules only apply to whether vehicles may be used on public roads or not. You may legally import any type of vehicle if it is for public display or for use on private roads or off road.
To obtain an estimate of the cost to import a car to New Zealand, fill out our free quick quote form.
Vehicle Import Approval
All used vehicles entering New Zealand for the first time must go through a border check, Customs inspection and entry certification before they can be used on the road. The Transport Agency enforces New Zealand’s vehicle standards law as part of the entry certification process. NZ Customs Service (Customs) checks import requirements such as import tax or duty. The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) checks for biosecurity, e.g. the presence of any insects or mud on or in the vehicle.
Entry Certification Process:
The entry certification processes apply to mopeds, motorcycles, cars, off-road passenger vehicles, vans, utes, minibuses and heavy vehicles. They do not apply to low-powered vehicles, or to Classes TA and TB (light trailers). Older vehicles, pre-1990, only need to meet some of the standards. The vehicle classes fit into two groups: light vehicles and heavy vehicles, depending on the gross vehicle mass (GVM) which is the maximum allowable weight specified by the manufacturer.
Once the inspector has completed his/her structural inspection a pink Transport Agency sticker will be applied to the driver’s side windscreen wiper arm of the vehicle. The vehicle can be released when both the Transport Agency and the MPI biosecurity inspection stickers are affixed to the vehicle.
Things to Consider
US to New Zealand Car Shipping Costs & Time Frame
Using a baseline of a compact car being imported using our weekly consolidated container from the Port of Los Angeles to the Port of Auckland, our estimate for car shipping to New Zealand starts at a cost of $2,395 USD, with an estimated turnaround time of 30 days.
However, the cost of car shipping to New Zealand can vary according to factors such as the model and make of your vehicle, your current location, the nearest departure port in the USA, your transport method of choice, availability of your chosen car shipping services, and your final destination. Additionally, you’ll need to consider car shipping costs such as storage, cleaning, other vendor fees, and New Zealand taxes & duties.
Goods and Services Tax and Import Duties for USA to New Zealand Car Imports
Duties are levied by NZ Customs when your vehicle is imported. Immigrants arriving for the first time in New Zealand may be able to import a vehicle without paying GST if they satisfy the New Zealand Customs Service that they’re taking up permanent residence, have owned and used the vehicle for at least one year and agree that they will continue to use the vehicle for at least two years. Otherwise, a Goods & Service Tax (GST) at 15% of the vehicle’s purchase price plus all the freight charges.
You may not have to pay New Zealand duties and GST on vehicles/craft if you have documents to prove you’re allowed to live in New Zealand – these are:
Please Note: This concession doesn’t apply if you’re importing the vehicle to New Zealand as a gift, to exchange or sell, or for commercial use.
To obtain an estimate of the cost to import a car to New Zealand, fill out our free quick quote form.
Online Quotes - Guaranteed Response within 24 Hours!
Quotes are available online for domestic and international vehicle shipping services. Depend on us for reliable and expedited vehicle relocation services - Our dedicated team of shipping specialists are always a phone call away to answer any questions you may have.
US to New Zealand Vehicle Import Options
Import Car from USA to New Zealand can be performed using shared container shipping, a sole container, or a roll-on/roll-off service.
Roll-On/Roll-Off – This option tends to be one of the more cost-effective ones, as the only added charges asides from shipping costs are port charges and customs clearance charges. Your vehicle will be loaded into the holding area of a large vessel, one which resembles a big parking garage. This method is suitable for shipping and handling bulkier vehicles like work trucks.
Shared Container Service – Several vehicles are shipped using one single container. This is our most used car transport service. The container must be processed, so more fees are involved than with the roll-on/roll-off method, however they are shared between several clients. Fees include: customs clearance, trucking charge, terminal handling charge and unloading charges.
CFR Classic operates a weekly Shared Container service.
Full Container Load – This method of car shipment is the same as the shared container load, except that one single vehicle occupies the entire container and the fees, which are like those for shared containers, are borne by you alone.
Container loading offers the benefit of added security when shipping overseas. When the vehicle is received, photographs are taken of the car itself as well as the loading process, after which the container door is locked, and the car is kept safe. The vehicle is only released when the container arrives at the destination, and an agent once again takes photographs of the unloading process. The vehicle is kept secure, so clients may transport other items inside the vehicle, although they are advised to pack with care as we are not liable for any loss or damage sustained.
We choose not to use wood ramps like other companies but instead employ a steel loading system, which is more effective in preventing loss and damage when importing cars.
Additional Car Shipping Services
Sourcing Vehicles – Thanks to nearly thirty years in the car industry, we’ve developed an extensive network of car buyers, allowing us to find and buy vehicles for purchasers located overseas, for a commission or additional fee to be paid to the car buyer.
Other Services – Some of the car transport services we offer in overseas territories include domestic pickup, vehicle import assistance, tracking of your shipment, customs clearance in the USA and a full vehicle inspection report.
Ports Served in the US and New Zealand
Departure Ports – United States
The location your vehicle will depart from depends on the method of transport to New Zealand, where your vehicle is located, your budget and which services the nearest port offers. We have multiple departure locations in the USA, including Los Angeles, New York, Houston, Miami, Savannah and more.
Destination Ports – New Zealand
Here are the New Zealand entry ports where your vehicle can be imported.
Cleaning Your Vehicle’s Undercarriage
Before importing your vehicle to New Zealand, the undercarriage must be cleaned and free of foreign soil to prevent the introduction of invasive plants, animals, fungi and microorganisms. This can be accomplished through steam cleaning or other thorough cleaning methods.
CFR Classic can assist with finding an appropriate cleaner to help ensure you comply with this requirement. We do not recommend washing the interior of the vehicle as it can cause mold during transport. Vacuuming the interior is usually more than sufficient.
Plating Your Vehicle in New Zealand
Before a vehicle can be registered for use on New Zealand roads, your vehicle must successfully complete Customs and MPI entry certification before you can apply to register it – a process that provides you with a certificate of registration and number plates. The costs for registration and licensing with the New Zealand Transport Agency vary according to vehicle type, engine size, the period of the license (i.e. six or 12 months) and what the vehicle will be used for.
For information on vehicle inspection requirements, vehicle registration and driver license requirements, contact the New Zealand Transport Agency.
To obtain an estimate of the cost to import a car from USA to New Zealand and other car shipping services, fill out our free quick quote form.
Other New Zealand/US Shipping Options
Importing a Car from the US to New Zealand
Importing a Car from New Zealand to the US
Car Shipping from the US to New Zealand
Car Shipping from New Zealand to the US
Cargo Shipping from the US to New Zealand
Cargo Shipping from New Zealand to the US
Moving Household Goods from the US to New Zealand
Moving Household Goods from New Zealand to the US
This information was updated in January 2024. All information, time frames, pricing, and regulations are subject to change. Please contact a sales representative for the most current rates and information.
Online Quotes - Guaranteed Response within 24 Hours!
Quotes are available online for domestic and international vehicle shipping services. Depend on us for reliable and expedited vehicle relocation services - Our dedicated team of shipping specialists are always a phone call away to answer any questions you may have.