When it comes to the shipping of your motor vehicle to New Zealand it is your responsibility to ensure that the vehicle meets the standards and regulations set out by New Zealand customs officials and that all the correct documentation is presented to the authorities in New Zealand.

One of the most important forms that you need to obtain is entitled ‘Statement of Compliance.’ This form can be collected from your vehicles manufacturer. One exception to this rule are motor cycles that were manufactured before 1^st October 2002.

In order to allow your vehicle to be imported to New Zealand you need to:

• Arrange an agricultural clearance for the vehicle through the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
• Arrange for a Customs clearance.

One aspect that will be taken care for you by your shipping and removals company are the arrival papers that will state the time that your vehicle was imported.

As well as things you need to import your vehicle there are also aspects that are required by customs officials to allow the release of your vehicle, these are:

• The agriculture clearance
• Your passport
• Invoice receipt showing total price paid and date of purchase
• Registration papers or Certificate of Permanent Export (UK), Certificate of Title (USA), or De-registration Certificate (Japan)
• Invoice showing export costs (Japan)
• Invoice showing freight costs and insurance to New Zealand
• Bill of Lading
• Odometer reading at time of sale for export to New Zealand
• Odometer reading at time of importation into New Zealand

When your vehicle has been cleared through customs it should be presented to a Transport Services Delivery (TSD) agent in order for an inspection and compliance audit certificate for registration.

As the owner of the motor vehicle you must be a first time immigrant with a permanent residency Visa. In order to obtain tax free entry for motor cars and motor cycles you need to comply with the following:

• Personally owned and personally used the vehicle for at least one year prior to either handing in for shipment, or departure from the country (whichever is the earlier).
• The vehicle is intended for personal use and not for resale or other disposal.

If you don’t meet this criteria you will be liable to pay Goods & Services Tax (G.S.T.) of the value of 12.50% as well as the cost of freight and insurance.

NOTE: Regulations for motor vehicles seem to change with some frequency and it is advisable to contact your OVER’S agent for current information.