Guide to NZ Import Regulations

Household and Personal Effects  Imported By Immigrants

To qualify for duty and tax free entry:

• Immigrants must be first time immigrants and hold a permanent residency visa or a work permit for a minimum of one year.
• All goods must be owned and used.
• The goods must be for their own personal use.
• Any unused or new goods (including foodstuffs, wine, alcohol and gifts) could be subject to duty and tax.
• A full, descriptive inventory along with client’s passport (photocopies are not accepted) are required to clear customs.

Motor Vehicles Imported By Immigrants

To qualify for tax free entry:

• Immigrants must be first time residents and hold a permanent residency visa in their passport.
• The vehicle must have been owned and used overseas for a minimum period of 12 months prior to handing it in for shipment or the client’s departure from overseas country (whichever is the earliest).
• The vehicle must be for the clients personal use in New Zealand and not for sale, gift or disposal.
• The client will be personally required to attend an interview with Customs at the vehicle’s port of entry.
• They will need to produce their passports, purchase invoice or receipt and overseas registration papers.
• They will be required to sign a “Deed of Covenant” that if they sell the vehicle within two years they agree to pay the tax owing on the car.

Restricted

The following articles are restricted under New Zealand law

• Firearms, weapons and ammunition (subject to client obtaining Police Permit on arrival in New Zealand)

The following articles may be subject to inspection by Quarantine

• Food stuffs and dairy products
• Herbs and spices
• Stuffed animals and reptiles
• Bamboo, cane, rattan. basket ware and mats
• Wool (unprocessed) and animal hair
• Dried flowers, bulbs, corms etc.
• Seeds, pine cones and pot pouri
• Saddles and riding equipment
• Artefacts (wooden carvings, shields, masks etc.)
• Camping equipment
• Farm clothing, footwear and equipment
• Furs, skins and hunting trophies.

Prohibited

The following articles are prohibited by customs and/or Quarantine

• Certain Firearms as detailed herewith:
  Double-barrelled Shotguns with exposed hammer
  Shotgun with barrel under 20”
  Any firearm with extended telescopic butt, including folding butt
  Modern Sub-machine Gun
• Eggs and Egg products
• Honey
• Meat and Meat products (except canned)
• Plants including Pot Plants and Plant cuttings
• Straw (handicrafts or packaging)
• Clam shells and coral (except with CITES certification)
• Ivory (except with CITES certification)
• Turtle and Tortoise shells (except with CITES certification)

Quarantine Requirements For Motor Vehicles Being Imported into New Zealand

It is essential that motor vehicles are thoroughly cleaned prior to shipment .

Quarantine have introduced a further requirement whereby we have had to construct vehicle ramps at our Auckland operation to facilitate the inspection of the underside of imported cars.

This requirement is being progressively implemented at Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin and it is essential that your steam-cleaner pays particular attention to UNDERNEATH the vehicle.

It is also important that the interior of the vehicle (including the boot is thoroughly vacuumed prior to shipping.

Should Quarantine ‘fail’ a vehicle it has to be reloaded into the shipping container and delivered to the steam-clean depot for steam cleaning and or vacuuming. The approximate cost for cartage and steam-cleaning is NZ$600.00 including local tax.

Please also ensure that the vehicle’s chassis number is shown on the ocean bill of lading as quarantine check this against the number on the vehicle.

What A Client Needs To Do When They Take Receipt of the Vehicle

Once a client has taken receipt of the vehicle they need to present it to Vehicle Testing NZ Ltd for a safety and compliance check.

There are testing stations in all major centres throughout New Zealand and they will:

• Allocate a VIN number (a 17 digit number that becomes the vehicles identification number for the remaining life of the vehicle.
• Test the vehicle to ensure it complies with NZ Safety standards (this includes windows, tyres, seatbelts, high mounted rear brake light etc.).
• Obtain an Engineer’s report to ensure vehicle complies with manufacturers specifications and has not been altered or rebuilt.
• Once the vehicle satisfies the inspectors your client will be given permission to register the vehicle for use on New Zealand roads.

The majority of testing stations are “one stop shops” and they will attend to all of the above including registration, warrant of fitness and fitting of number plates.

• The procedure normally takes approximately 1 to 2 working days.
• The costs depend on the cc rating of the vehicle’s engine however as a guide you can work on approximately $700.00 including local tax. This excludes any modifications needed to the vehicle to ensure it complies with New Zealand standards.

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