Goods Across Borders · Customs rule card
Used Cars → New Zealand
Purpose: Traveling · Verified: 2026-07-25
Used Cars may require documentation or declaration
Details
Used Cars may require documentation or declaration. Enforcement in New Zealand carries fines from NZD 400 to NZD 5,000 under Biosecurity Act 1993 s.157, s.155; Customs and Excise Act 2018 (typical personal cases are handled as civil infringements).
Documentation required
- Documentation may be required
Leaving with this item
Exporting a used car from New Zealand requires deregistration and an export declaration; the destination's vehicle-import regime is the harder constraint.
Practical advice
Personal-import requires destination age limit + emission compliance + RHD/LHD verification. Returning expats may qualify for Transfer of Residence duty-free import. See /vehicles/new-zealand for full rules.
Customs authority
New Zealand Customs Service (NZCS) · https://www.customs.govt.nz