How do you import a car from Japan to New Zealand (NZ), and what does it cost? (2026)
Last reviewed by AVON INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD., licensed USS member dealer (card L-1525)
To import a car from Japan to New Zealand (NZ) you pay 15% GST on the CIF value and no customs duty, so tax adds 15% of CIF. There is no age limit, but the car must meet NZ frontal impact and emissions standards, pass border inspection and entry certification, and pay any Clean Car Standard charge (NZ$7.50 per gram of CO2 over target for used cars in 2026 and 2027).
Worked example: a 2017 Honda Fit 1.3 L costs about 18,300 to 20,600 NZD (US$10,200 to US$11,600) delivered to Auckland, at exchange rates of 14 October 2026.
Car import duty calculator for New Zealand
New Zealand drives on the left and has imported used Japanese cars in large numbers for decades, so the process is well established. Three agencies are involved: NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) sets vehicle standards and certification, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) handles biosecurity, and Customs collects GST and checks for odometer tampering. There is no age limit, but every car must meet approved standards. Non-kei cars built in Japan for the Japanese market from 1 January 1996 meet the frontal impact rule; cars more than 20 years old are exempt from proving it. The export certificate must show an accepted emissions code, and the car needs proof of ownership, fuel consumption information and an electronic stability control check. Cost is mostly the car and freight. GST is 15% of the value plus freight and insurance. The Clean Car Standard adds a charge to the importer for higher-emitting cars, reduced from NZ$33.75 to NZ$7.50 per gram of CO2 over the target for used vehicles in 2026 and 2027.
Can you import a used car from Japan to New Zealand?
- Steering
- Right-hand drive only
- Age limit
- No maximum age cap, but vehicles must meet NZ safety (frontal-impact) and emissions (equivalent to Japan 2005 / Euro 4+) standards. Vehicles with first registration before 1 Jan 2012 may struggle to meet frontal-impact rules unless 20+ years old (20-year exemption applies). 40+ year vehicles face minimal requirements.
- Inspection
- JEVIC pre-export inspection (cleaning, odometer verification, NZTA border check at Japan forwarding yard). On arrival: MPI biosecurity inspection; Entry Certification by an Approved Inspection Organisation; Warrant of Fitness (WOF) before road use.
- Permits
- No specific import permit for standard passenger cars. NZTA Entry Certification required before registration. Brown Marmorated Stink Bug heat treatment mandatory Sep–Apr season. Clean Car Standard compliance assessed at registration.
- Restrictions
- LHD vehicles cannot be registered in NZ. Vehicles failing emissions or frontal-impact standards (pre-20-year vehicles) cannot be registered.
- Special rules
- Clean Car Standard (CVS): used imported vehicles exceeding the CO2 per-km target attract a fee of NZD 7.50 per gram over the target (rate reduced ~78% effective 1 Jan 2026, applies 2026-2027). Low-CO2 vehicles earn credits. 40+ year vehicles are exempt from CVS. A full CVS review is underway with Cabinet recommendations due mid-2026.
- Entry ports
- Port of Auckland
How do you import a car from Japan to New Zealand, step by step?
Check the car meets NZ standards
Confirm the export certificate shows an accepted emissions code and a type designation number, and check frontal impact compliance and ESC. A car that does not meet the standards cannot be registered.
Buy the car and obtain the export certificate
NZTA needs the original export certificate issued by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, or the light vehicle inspection body for kei cars, as proof of ownership.
Border inspection and biosecurity in Japan
The car is inspected by an approved inspection organisation (JEVIC is one) and managed through an MPI-approved biosecurity system. Seasonal treatment for stink bugs applies from September to April.
Ship to Auckland
Cars from Japan arrive at Auckland on regular RoRo services. MPI issues biosecurity clearance on arrival.
Clear customs and pay GST
A customs broker lodges the entry. Customs collects GST of 15% on the value plus freight and insurance, and checks the car for odometer fraud.
Entry certification
An NZTA-appointed entry certifier inspects the car and its documents and confirms it meets NZ standards. Any Clean Car Standard charge is settled at registration.
Register and license with NZTA
After entry certification the car is registered and licensed and receives plates. It then needs a current warrant of fitness to be used on the road.
Documents checklist
- Commercial invoice
- Original Japanese export certificate (or completion inspection certificate)
- Bill of lading
- Border inspection and MPI biosecurity clearance records
- Customs entry lodged by a customs broker
- Evidence of emissions, frontal impact and ESC compliance
- Fuel consumption information
- Entry certification and registration application
What import duties and taxes does New Zealand charge?
| Tax | Rate | Charged on |
|---|---|---|
| GST (15% on CIF) | 15% | CIF value |
GST (15% on CIF)
Rate: 15%. Charged on: CIF value.
Only one tax line applies at the border. GST of 15% is charged on the customs value, which Customs calculates as the price paid plus international freight and insurance, plus any import duty. Passenger cars from Japan carry no customs duty, so GST equals 15% of CIF; duty rates are listed in the Working Tariff Document of New Zealand. Separately, the Clean Car Standard sets annual CO2 targets for vehicle importers. A used car above the target attracts a charge, which the government cut from a top rate of NZ$33.75 to NZ$7.50 per gram of CO2 for 2026 and 2027, while low-emission cars earn credits. The charge falls on the importer at registration, and a full review of the scheme is under way, so rates from 2028 may change.
How much does it cost to import a car from Japan to New Zealand?
| Car (year, engine) | FOB Japan | CIF Auckland | Duties & taxes | Door-to-door, low to high |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Honda Fit 1.3 L | US$7,080 | US$8,390 | US$1,26015% of CIF | NZD 18,300 – 20,600US$10,200 – US$11,600 |
| 2018 Toyota Aqua 1.5 L hybrid | US$8,740 | US$10,100 | US$1,51015% of CIF | NZD 21,700 – 24,000US$12,200 – US$13,500 |
| 2017 Toyota Hiace 2.8 L diesel | US$21,800 | US$23,300 | US$3,49015% of CIF | NZD 48,900 – 51,300US$27,400 – US$28,800 |
Assumptions: typical auction price for the model and year plus ¥70,000 export costs (FOB), route freight from −12% to +15%, port and clearing charges from the dataset, inland delivery to Auckland. Customs assesses the final duty, sometimes on its own valuation.
How long does shipping take, and which ports?
| Port | Method | Transit (days) | Freight from (sedan) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auckland | RoRo | 14–26 | US$1,300 |
Regular RoRo services run from Japanese ports to Auckland; ships and cars arriving in the stink bug season must meet MPI treatment rules.
Which Japanese cars are popular in New Zealand?
- Models and prices
Toyota Aqua
A 1.5-litre hybrid with low CO2 emissions, which avoids or reduces the Clean Car charge. Parts and mechanics are widely available.
- Models and prices
Honda Fit
A compact hatchback in petrol and hybrid form. It is cheap to buy at auction and to run.
- Models and prices
Mazda Demio
A small hatchback with a 1.3 or 1.5 petrol or a 1.5 diesel engine. It is sold in New Zealand as the Mazda2, so parts are easy to find.
- Models and prices
Toyota Hiace
A 2.8-litre diesel van used by tradespeople and as a people mover. Its higher CO2 figure means a higher Clean Car charge.
- Models and prices
Toyota Prius
A 1.8-litre hybrid that is widely used as a taxi and ride-share car. Its low emissions keep the Clean Car charge low.
How much is inland delivery to cities in New Zealand?
| City | From port | Sedan | SUV / wagon | Extra days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auckland | Auckland | US$150 | US$190 | 1 |
| Christchurch | Auckland | US$600 | US$750 | 3 |
| Wellington | Auckland | US$440 | US$550 | 3 |
| Hamilton | Auckland | US$200 | US$250 | 2 |
| Tauranga | Auckland | US$220 | US$280 | 2 |
| Dunedin | Auckland | US$780 | US$980 | 5 |
How do you avoid scams when buying a car from Japan?
- Check that the exporter is a registered Japanese company: look up its corporate number and address, and prefer members of the Japan Used Motor Vehicle Exporters Association.
- Ask for the original auction sheet and, after purchase, the export certificate. Both name the chassis number, which should match the invoice.
- Pay only to a company bank account in the exporter's name, never to a personal account or a money-transfer agent.
AVON INTERNATIONAL company and licence details are on the About page, and the JUMVEA member list is public. JUMVEA (exporters association) · About AVON INTERNATIONAL · Is buying a car from Japan safe?
Frequently asked questions
- How much tax do I pay to import a car from Japan to New Zealand?
- GST of 15% on the price plus freight and insurance. Passenger cars from Japan carry no customs duty. A Clean Car Standard charge may apply at registration.
- Is there an age limit for importing a car to New Zealand?
- No. There is no maximum age, but the car must meet NZ emissions and frontal impact standards. Cars more than 20 years old are exempt from proving frontal impact compliance.
- What is the Clean Car Standard charge on used imports?
- NZ$7.50 per gram of CO2 above the target for used vehicles in 2026 and 2027, down from NZ$33.75. Low-emission cars earn credits instead.
- Which Japanese cars meet NZ frontal impact rules?
- Non-kei cars built in Japan for the Japanese market on or after 1 January 1996, and kei cars built on or after 1 July 2000. SUVs and vans made after 1 October 2003 must also comply.
- What is entry certification in New Zealand?
- An inspection by an NZTA-appointed entry certifier that confirms an imported car meets NZ standards and its documents are in order. It is required before registration.
- Do cars from Japan need biosecurity treatment for New Zealand?
- Yes. Cars must arrive clean and go through an MPI-approved biosecurity system in Japan. Stink bug treatment is required for shipments from September to April.
- Can I import a left-hand-drive car to New Zealand?
- Only in specific categories. Under the Land Transport Rule: Steering Systems 2001 most left-hand-drive cars must be converted to right-hand drive before registration. Japanese domestic cars are right-hand drive.
- What proof of ownership does NZTA need for a car from Japan?
- The original export certificate from Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, or a completion inspection certificate. Kei cars use the light vehicle inspection body's export certificate.
- How long does shipping from Japan to Auckland take?
- Around 2 to 4 weeks at sea on a RoRo vessel. Biosecurity clearance and entry certification add several days after arrival.
Sources
- NZTA — Importing a used vehicle — checked 15 October 2026
- NZTA — Used vehicles from Japan (standards and evidence) — checked 15 October 2026
- New Zealand Customs Service — Duty and allowances (GST 15%) — checked 15 October 2026
- Beehive — Easing the cost of new and used imported vehicles (Clean Vehicle Standard charges) — checked 15 October 2026
Car import duty calculator for New Zealand
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Estimate only. Duties are assessed by customs on arrival, freight rates move, and rules change. Check current figures before you buy.