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Before shipping a vehicle, it's essential to confirm whether it meets New Zealand’s strict compliance regulations. Not all vehicles can be complied and registered for road use in New Zealand, so it’s crucial to do your research upfront.
We’ll break the following information into 3 categories:
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New Zealand’s regulations are some of the strictest in the world when it comes to vehicle safety, and compliance inspectors will closely examine every vehicle upon arrival. To avoid any issues or unexpected costs, we strongly recommend reaching out to a New Zealand compliance facility before shipping to confirm that your vehicle meets all necessary requirements.
Please click here for the contact details for our compliance partners in New Zealand, who can check and verify whether your vehicle will pass compliance before you commit to shipping.
What Inspectors Look For:
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- Structural damage (rust, repairs, deformation)
- Brakes, tyres, steering
- Lighting and emission controls
- Safety features (seat belts, airbags, ESC)
- Window tint and visibility
Additional Compliance Notes:
- Any previous structural repairs may need to be redone to NZ standards, or require inspection by a Repair Certifier Engineer licensed by NZTA. This engineer will outline what repairs are needed and issue a Repair Certificate upon satisfactory completion.
- Window tints must meet NZ visibility standards: the minimum visible light transmission is 35%. If you're unsure, get them tested before shipping.
- Non-standard brake pads (especially cheap aftermarket brands) will fail compliance and need replacement with recognised, compliant brands.
- Aftermarket accessories like headlights, spotlights, bull bars, etc. must either be ADR compliant or removed before inspection.
- If your vehicle has been modified in any way, notify the compliance facility — it may require Low Volume Vehicle (LVV) certification, which involves additional assessment and cost.
- An ADR plate is mandatory for compliance. It confirms the vehicle meets Australian Design Rules and is generally located in the engine bay or door frame.
➡️ Next Step → Step 4: Immigrant’s Exemption
⬅️ Back to Step 2: Understanding the Full Costs
🚀 Quick Navigation
🎥 Step 1: Watch the Full Shipping Process Video💡 Step 2: Understanding the Full Costs of Shipping🚗 Step 3: Vehicle Compliance & Eligibility👤 Step 4: Immigrant’s Exemption (Only For Non-Compliant Vehicles)✅ Step 5: NZ Import Taxes (including GST Exemption Criteria)🚘 Step 6: NZ Clean Car Program (CO₂ Emissions)📋 Step 7: Documentation Requirements🧼 Step 8: Pre-Shipment Cleaning & Vehicle Preparation Guide📥 Step 9: How to Book📚 Optional Topics & Helpful Info
🚘 Comparing Australian vs. New Zealand Vehicle Values
💰 International Money Transfers (Optional)📦 Moving Personal Items or Parts (Optional)❓ Frequently Asked Questions – Shipping Your Vehicle to New Zealand📦 Additional Guides
🚗 Roll-On, Roll-Off vs Container Shipping🛡️ Transit Insurance – What It Is & Why It Matters🛂 Temporary Importing a Vehicle with a Carnet (CPD)🚘 NZ Temporary Imports - Non-Carnet Method🎁 Inheritance & Gifts — Special import Scenarios✅ Master Checklist
✅ NZ Vehicle Import Checklist