Check that your car complies with New Zealand vehicle standards before you contact any shipping agents. Required standards differ depending on the class of vehicle. Contact an entry certifier who can confirm your vehicle class, check it meets the required standards and can be registered for use in New Zealand. A list of entry certifiers can be found on the website of the New Zealand Transport Agency, which also has detailed information about vehicle classes and requirements.
Obtain a statement of compliance to prove that your car meets required vehicle standards. This must be obtained from a representative of the car’s manufacturer, either in New Zealand or overseas, who is authorized to issue statements of compliance. Ask for a cover letter along with the statement of compliance, both signed by the agent for you to pass to the entry certifier.
Contact several international shipping agents who specialize in transporting cars to New Zealand and obtain estimates for shipping your car. Cars can be shipped in a separate container or with other household goods, and some agents will deal with customs clearance in New Zealand on your behalf.
Tell the vehicle licensing authorities in the country of origin that you intend to permanently export your car. Depending on the country, you will be required to present your registration documents to receive your export certification.
Arrange insurance for your car while it is in transit. The shipping agent can do this for you.
Collect all the required paperwork for entry certification and arrange an inspection. All vehicles entering New Zealand must pass an entry certification inspection so that they can be registered for use on the road. Your entry certifier will check that everything is in order and carry out the inspection for you.
Arrange to have your car thoroughly cleaned immediately prior to departure. All vehicles must undergo a quarantine inspection on arrival by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry/Biosecurity New Zealand (MAFBNZ). Vehicles which have soil, plant or animal material still on them must be cleaned at the owner’s expense. Shipping agents can arrange steam cleaning of vehicles to the required level prior to departure.
Obtain customs clearance your car. Some shipping agents do this on your behalf, but you will need to present your passport, invoice for the purchase of the car, registration documents or export certification and residence documents. Depending on which country the car is from, there may be other requirements, but your shipping agent or entry certifier can advise you.
Present your car to a Transport Services Delivery (TSD) agent for inspection and checking of vehicle compliance. They are licensed by the New Zealand Transport Agency, and this process is required by law before your car can be registered to drive on New Zealand roads.
Register the car with the TSD agent and obtain a valid vehicle identification number and a certificate of fitness.
