Import Car from USA to New Zealand

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

Are you ready to get started importing a car from the USA to New Zealand?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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