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If you're planning to temporarily bring your vehicle into New Zealand, and you intend to export it again within 12 months, you may be eligible for a Temporary Import Concession under NZ Customs regulations.
This is ideal for:
- Travellers or expats staying in NZ short-term
- Motorsport or touring events
- Students or contract workers bringing their personal vehicle
- Seasonal visitors with a caravan, motorhome, or boat
Unlike the Carnet de Passages (an international document issued by your local automobile association), this Non-Carnet method is handled directly through NZ Customs and Willship NZ.
✅ What You’ll Need to Provide
You must supply a formal letter with the following details:
- Your full name and current residential address
- The reason for importing the vehicle temporarily (e.g. tourism, relocation, event)
- A brief description of your intended use while in NZ
- Your planned departure date or timeframe to export the vehicle
📎 This can be provided during the booking process or emailed to our team.
In addition to the letter, you’ll still need to supply all standard import documentation, including:
- Invoice / proof of purchase
- Rego certificate
- Passport or ID
- Photos (VIN, odometer, etc.)
- NZCS forms (Customs Number + Import Entry)
💰 Fees & Bond
Here’s how the costs work under this method:
Charge | Details |
💵 Temporary Import Fee | NZD $350 (one-time fee, payable upon arrival) |
💰 Refundable Bond | Amount varies based on vehicle value. Held by NZ Customs |
🔁 Bond Refund | Returned after export and NZ Customs confirmation (usually 1–2 weeks) |
🧾 Disbursement Fee | A fee that may apply to cover admin and processing |
📝 Important: The refundable bond must be paid upfront and is released only when the vehicle is exported and NZ Customs has confirmed the vehicle has left the country.
📆 Timeframe and Conditions
- Your temporary import approval lasts up to 12 months from the date of entry into NZ.
- If you need to stay longer, you must apply to NZ Customs for an extension.
- If you fail to export the vehicle within the allowed timeframe, NZ Customs may:
- Retain your bond
- Require you to pay full GST and duties on the landed value of the vehicle
🚫 GST-Free, But Conditional
Temporary imports under this method are not charged GST at the border — but only because you’ve committed to re-export the vehicle.
If the vehicle is not exported, or you decide to sell it in NZ, you forfeit the exemption and GST becomes payable.
🧾 Related Option: Carnet de Passages
If you are bringing a vehicle temporarily using an international Carnet, the process is slightly different.
👉 Read more about Carnet Shipping →
📌 Final Notes
- This method is suitable for most vehicle types — including cars, motorcycles, boats, caravans, and motorhomes.
- It’s a good alternative if you're not eligible for the GST exemption but don’t want to pay GST upfront.
🛂 Final approval lies with NZ Customs and is based on the Importer Concessions Document — which outlines all eligibility criteria: