This information summarises certain legal requirements. It is not legal advice and may be altered without notice. Before acting on the information, you are advised to refer directly to the appropriate legislation and/or take professional advice. Note that Land Transport New Zealand doesn't endorse or guarantee, or accept liability for reliance upon, any other organisations or individuals linked or referred to, or the accuracy of their information.

Infosheet 2.13 revision 9

Date: 1 February 2009
Revision: 9 (Revision history) This revision replaces the version of 10 June 2008. This revision links directly to the section of our website that includes the tools you will need if fuel consumption information must be provided for your vehicle. Please note that the Statement of Compliance has been amended to include the requirement for fuel consumption information. The previous infosheet 2.15 has been removed.
From: Driver and Vehicle Certification Unit, Land Transport New Zealand

Importing motor vehicles from Europe: Standards and document requirements

New Zealand has legal requirements for both heavy and light motor vehicles. Vehicles are checked for compliance with these requirements by an entry certifier when they are first inspected before their approval for registration in New Zealand. The vehicle's performance and condition are also checked at this inspection to make sure the vehicle meets the relevant requirements appropriate to its age, and to confirm that it is within safe tolerance of its state when manufactured.

A light motor vehicle is defined as one that has a gross vehicle mass (GVM) less than or equal to 3,500 kg. Light motor vehicles include cars, vans, utes, minibuses and motorcycles.
A heavy motor vehicle is one that has a GVM greater than 3,500 kg.

If you want to import a motor vehicle privately or commercially from Europe, it's your responsibility to prove that you are legally entitled to the vehicle and that the vehicle meets New Zealand safety and emissions requirements.

Most of the standards deal with vehicle safety but there are also environmental standards.

For noise requirements that came into force on 1 June 2008 see Land Transport Ruel: Vehicle Equipment Amendment 2007.
The exhaust emissions standards that vehicles must meet were changed on 1 January 2008. Be aware that your vehicle must meet the exhaust emissions requirements set out in Infosheet 2.08.
The Fuel Consumption Information Rule comes into force on 1 February 2009 and specifies which vehicles must provide fuel consumption information at entry certification. These are light vehicles of Classes MA, MB, MC, MD1 and MD2 and NA. See http://importer.fuelsaver.govt.nz which includes the tools you will need for finding out the fuel consumption information for a used vehicle at entry.

Please note: New Zealand has restrictions on left-hand drive vehicles. If you wish to import one of these, we strongly recommend that you read Factsheet 12 Importing a left-hand drive vehicle, before you go any further.

The exhaust emissions standards that vehicles must meet were changed on 1 January 2008. Be aware that your vehicle must meet the exhaust emissions requirements set out in Infosheet 2.08.

Most of the standards deal with vehicle safety but there are also two types of environmental standards. For emissions standards see Infosheet 2.08. For noise requirements that came into force on 1 June 2008 see Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Equipment Amendment 2007.

If you wish to import a motor vehicle to New Zealand, you may wish to check if it qualifies as an immigrant’s vehicle (of Class MA, MB or MC) or a ‘special interest vehicle’, in which case you may find it does not have to meet a frontal impact or emissions standard. The Fuel Consumption Information Rule also does not apply to these vehicles. Details are provided in Factsheet 44a and Factsheet 44b.

This infosheet will help you to determine what steps to follow and what documents you need, based on the class of the vehicle and when it was manufactured. However, this infosheet is designed for original equipment (OE) production vehicles. If the vehicle has been modified, it is unlikely to comply with the required standards. We strongly recommend you check to see if your vehicle is modified and talk to an entry certifier to make sure it will meet required standards before you import it.

There is a table containing descriptions of the vehicle classes at the start of each section. If you cannot clearly identify what class of vehicle you have, contact an entry certifier for advice.

Section 1: Importing motorcycles (Class LC, LD or LE) from Europe
Section 2: Importing passenger cars (Class MA) from Europe
Section 3: Importing forward-control vehicles (Class MB) or off-road vehicles (Class MC) from Europe
Section 4: Importing goods vehicles (Class NA, NB or NC), minibuses (Class MD1 or MD2) or buses (Class MD3, MD4 or ME) from Europe
Section 5: Importing heavy trailers (Class TC or TD) from Europe

You must have the correct documents to have the vehicle certified for use in New Zealand. The documents need to be presented with the vehicle to the entry certifier in New Zealand. We strongly advise that you have the correct paperwork before the vehicle is shipped to New Zealand.

Contact details for entry certifiers

Contact details for Land Transport NZ, entry certifiers, and Motor Industry Association (MIA) representatives.

Other sources of information

Infosheet 2.08 - Vehicle exhaust emissions requirements: This infosheet sets out the exhaust emissions requirements your vehicle must meet in order to be certified for entry into the New Zealand vehicle fleet.
Factsheet 44 - Importing a motor vehicle: This summarises the process involved – who does what with the vehicle, and when. It also provides indicative prices for the different steps involved in getting a vehicle certified and registered for use on New Zealand roads.
Factsheet 44a and Factsheet 44b - These set out information about immigrants’ vehicles, or special interest vehicles, that do not meet frontal impact or emissions standards. The Fuel Consumption Information Rule also does not apply to these vehicles.
Frontal impact lists for Class MA vehicles: These are lists, by make and model, of vehicles that manufacturers have advised as meeting (or not meeting) New Zealand's frontal impact requirements. Please note that the information in these lists is supplied by vehicle manufacturers, and is not exhaustive. Land Transport New Zealand has taken every reasonable precaution to ensure the accuracy of this information.

Read the appropriate list carefully, because some makes and models don't comply until they reach a particular model year or chassis number.
If your vehicle is not on the list, it may still comply with frontal impact requirements. Follow the steps in the appropriate flowchart in this infosheet to establish whether or not your vehicle meets an approved frontal impact standard.
If your vehicle is on the list, but the list says that your vehicle does not comply with a frontal impact standard, do not import the vehicle into New Zealand. It will not be able to be certified for use on the road in New Zealand.

Vehicle standards: Information about vehicle standards, and a comprehensive guide to the standards required for different vehicles.
Infosheet 1.10 - Vehicle classes and the standards they must meet: Definitions of the different vehicle classes and the standards that must be met by vehicles of each class according to date of manufacture.

Please note: As well as meeting the standards in Infosheet 1.10, many heavy vehicles will need to be modified to meet additional New Zealand requirements, and be certified by a heavy vehicle specialist certifier, before they can enter the fleet. These modifications can be carried out after the vehicle is imported into New Zealand. For more information on these requirements, see Land Transport Rule: Heavy Vehicles 2004 and Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Dimensions and Mass 2002.

Please note also that your heavy vehicle must have a chassis rating approved by Land Transport New Zealand before it can be registered for use on the road. Contact an Entry Certifier for the chassis rating application forms and procedure.

Please note also: Standards for heavy-vehicle brakes will be introduced through the Heavy-vehicle Brakes Rule, which came into force on 1 March 2007. Imported heavy vehicles of Classes MD3, MD4, ME, NB and NC that are first registered in New Zealand after 1 July 2008 will need to meet an approved brake standard. In addition vehicles of Classes NB or NC intended to be used to tow heavy trailers will in most cases need to be fitted with ABS, EBS or LSV. Vehicles of Class TC and TD first registered in New Zealand on or after 1 July 2008 will in most cases need to be fitted with ABS, EBS or LSV.

This will mean that you MUST check for compliance with one of the approved brake standards if you want to import a heavy vehicle of Class MD3, MD4, ME, NB or NC, no matter what date the vehicle was manufactured. This infosheet now details some means of providing compliance.
You may also want to refer to http://importer.fuelsaver.govt.nz which includes the tools you will need for finding out the fuel consumption information for a used vehicle at entry.
Application for an exemption: Your vehicle is required by law to meet one or more standards. If it does not, it cannot legally be used on the road unless an exemption has been granted. If you think you have a valid reason for your vehicle to be excused from the standards requirement(s), you may apply for an exemption. Exemption applications are judged against the criteria set out in section 166 of the Land Transport Act 1998.

Please note that completing an application form does not mean that an exemption will be automatically granted. They are granted only in exceptional circumstances. If you wish to proceed please complete the form Application for an exemption from vehicle standards rules (PDF, 134 KB).
New Zealand Customs Service
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF)

Section 1: Importing motorcycles (Class LC, LD or LE) from Europe

Class	Description
LC (motorcycle)	A motor vehicle that has two wheels, and either has an engine cylinder capacity exceeding 50 ml or has a maximum speed exceeding 50 km/h.
LD (motorcycle and side-car)	A motor vehicle that: has three wheels asymmetrically arranged in relation to the longitudinal median axis; and either: has an engine cylinder capacity exceeding 50 ml; or has a maximum speed exceeding 50 km/h. Definition: side-car. A car, box, or other receptacle attached to the side of a motorcycle and supported by a wheel.
LE (motor tri-cycle)	A motor vehicle that: has three wheels symmetrically arranged in relation to the longitudinal median axis; and has a gross vehicle mass not exceeding one tonne; and either: has an engine cylinder capacity exceeding 50 ml; or has a maximum speed exceeding 50 km/h. An LE 1 motor vehicle has one wheel at the front and two wheels at the rear. An LE 2 motor vehicle has two wheels at the front and one wheel at the rear.

Motorcycles flowchart

NOTE: Your motorcycle will need to be inspected when presented to the entry certifier to determine compliance with the relevant requirements appropriate to the age of the motorcycle. Thi will include an inspection of the braking equipment on the motorcycle to confirm that it is within safe tolerance of its state when manufactured.

This flowchart applies to motorcycles (Class LC, LD or LE) imported from Europe. It is intended as a guide only, and must be read in conjunction with all other applicable information. Follow the steps in the flowchart. Steps marked with a letter in a circle have supporting notes below the flowchart that you need to read.

Note: This flowchart is designed for original equipment (OE) production vehicles. Modified vehicles are unlikely to comply with the required standards.

Notes for motorcycles flowchart

NOTE: Your motorcycle will need to be inspected when presented to the entry certifier to determine compliance with the relevant requirements appropriate to the age of the motorcycle. This will include an inspection of the braking equipment on the motorcycle to confirm that it is within safe tolerance of its state when manufactured.

A: START: Was the motorcycle manufactured on or after 1 October 2002?

Motorcycles manufactured before 1 October 2002 may have to meet approved standards for some of their parts, but these parts can all be fitted once the motorcycle is in New Zealand (eg, reflectors). Motorcycles manufactured on or after 1 October 2002 will have to meet a standard for their brakes.

B: Do you have proof the vehicle meets an approved brake standard?

Europe has two vehicle standards regimes:

the Regulations of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE), and
the Directives of the Commission of the European Communities (EC, or formerly EEC).

In many cases, it's possible to show that a vehicle complies with one or both of these standards regimes by the presence of a statutory plate or sticker affixed to the vehicle. Instructions on how to identify these plates can be found in Appendix 2 and Appendix 3 of this infosheet.

Before importing the vehicle, you should check with an entry certifier to determine whether the EC or UN/ECE plate or sticker fitted to your vehicle is acceptable.

C: Get a Statement of Compliance

If you don't have a UN/ECE or EC compliance sticker or plate, you'll need to get a Statement of Compliance.

D: Get proof you own the motorcycle

You will need evidence that you're legally entitled to the motorcycle. You must have original documents that establish an ownership trail back to the last registered owner in Europe (eg, deregistration or change of ownership papers) and invoices, bills of sale, receipts etc. You must provide certified translations of any documents that aren't in English.

Section 2: Importing passenger cars (Class MA vehicles) from Europe

Class	Description
MA (passenger car)	A passenger vehicle (other than a Class MB or Class MC vehicle) that has not more than nine seating positions (including the driver's seating position).
Note: A passenger vehicle is a motor vehicle that is constructed primarily for the carriage of passengers, and either has at least four wheels, or has three wheels and a gross vehicle mass exceeding one tonne.

A Class MA vehicle is defined as a passenger vehicle (other than a Class MB or Class MC vehicle) that has not more than nine seating positions (including the driver's seating position).

Be aware that your vehicle must meet the exhaust emissions requirements set out in infosheet 2.08.

If your vehicle meets the requirements in infosheet 2.08, you can continue with the following process.

There are three flowcharts for Class MA vehicles. If the Class MA vehicle you want to import is more than 20 years old (based on the date of first registration anywhere), go straight to the ownership flowchart. Otherwise, work through the flowcharts in this order:

Frontal impact flowchart
Other standards flowchart
Ownership flowchart.

You will need to read the supporting notes for each flowchart you use.

Frontal impact flowchart

This flowchart applies to passenger cars (Class MA vehicles) imported from Europe that are less than 20 years old (based on the date of first registration anywhere). It is intended as a guide only, and must be read in conjunction with all other applicable flowcharts.

Follow the steps in the flowchart. Steps marked with a letter in a circle have supporting notes below the flowchart that you need to read.

Note: This flowchart is designed for original equipment (OE) production vehicles. Modified vehicles are unlikely to comply with the required standards.

Notes for frontal impact flowchart

A: START: Is the car listed on one of the frontal impact lists?

See the lists on this website of the frontal impact compliance status of vehicles. These lists show, by make and model, those vehicles that manufacturers have advised as meeting (or not meeting) New Zealand's frontal impact requirements. Please note that the information in these lists is supplied by vehicle manufacturers, and is not exhaustive. Land Transport New Zealand has taken every reasonable precaution to ensure the accuracy of this information.

Read the appropriate list carefully, because some makes and models don't comply until they reach a particular model year or chassis number.

If your vehicle is not on this list, it may still comply with frontal impact requirements. If you can't find your Class MA vehicle in these lists, follow the steps in the appropriate flowchart in this infosheet to establish whether or not your vehicle meets an approved frontal impact standard.

B: Do you have proof the car meets an approved frontal impact standard?

Europe has two vehicle standards regimes:

the Regulations of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE), and
the Directives of the Commission of the European Communities (EC, or formerly EEC).

The European Community (EC) whole vehicle approval plate can be used to show that a vehicle complies with almost all of the vehicle standards required by New Zealand law.

The one exception is that this plate cannot be used to show compliance with an approved frontal impact standard, unless it incorporates the directive "2001/116". If the EC Whole Vehicle Approval plate does not incorporate the EC directive "2001/116", the vehicle must be fitted with the plate and the importer/owner must have additional proof of compliance with approved frontal impact standards (eg, from the frontal impact compliance lists).

Before importing the vehicle, you should check with an entry certifier to determine whether the EC or UN/ECE plate or sticker fitted to your vehicle is acceptable.

C: Do you have a Statement of Compliance that includes an approved frontal impact standard?

If you don't have other proof, you need to have a Statement of Compliance (see later in this infosheet) from the manufacturer testifying that the vehicle meets one of the required frontal impact standards.

D: STOP

Don't ship the vehicle to New Zealand. Frontal impact protection systems can't be added in after a vehicle has been manufactured. If a vehicle wasn't designed, manufactured and certified as meeting an approved frontal impact standard, there is nothing that can be done to change this. The vehicle simply won't meet our frontal impact requirements.

Other standards flowchart

This flowchart applies to passenger cars (Class MA vehicles) imported from Europe and manufactured on or after 1 January 1990. It follows on from the frontal impact flowchart. It is intended as a guide only, and must be read in conjunction with all other applicable flowcharts.

Follow the steps in the flowchart. Steps marked with a letter in a circle have supporting notes below the flowchart that you need to read.

Note: This flowchart is designed for original equipment (OE) production vehicles. Modified vehicles are unlikely to comply with the required standards. If the vehicle is modified, we strongly recommend that you check with an entry certifier to make sure that the vehicle complies with required standards.

Notes for other standards flowchart

A: START: Do you have proof that the car meets approved standards?

Europe has two vehicle standards regimes:

the Regulations of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE), and
the Directives of the Commission of the European Communities (EC, or formerly EEC).

In many cases, it's possible to show that a vehicle complies with one or both of these standards regimes by the presence of a statutory plate or sticker affixed to the vehicle. Instructions on how to identify these plates can be found in Appendix 4 and Appendix 5 of this infosheet.

Before importing the vehicle, you should check with an entry certifier to determine whether the EC or UN/ECE plate or sticker fitted to your vehicle is acceptable.

B: Get a Statement of Compliance

If you don't have other proof, you need to have a Statement of Compliance to prove your car meets the required standards.

Ownership flowchart

This flowchart applies to passenger cars (Class MA vehicles) imported from Europe.

Either:

the car is more than 20 years old (based on the date of first registration anywhere), or
the car is less than 20 years old and you have worked through the frontal impact flowchart and the other standards flowchart.

Follow the steps in the flowchart. Steps marked with a letter in a circle have supporting notes below the flowchart that you need to read.

Notes for ownership flowchart

A: START: Can you prove the vehicle is legally yours?

You'll need evidence that you're legally entitled to the vehicle. You must have original documents that establish an ownership trail back to the last registered owner in Europe (eg, deregistration or change of ownership papers) and invoices, bills of sale, receipts etc. You must have certified translations of any documents that aren't in English.

B: STOP

Don't ship the vehicle to New Zealand. If you can't prove that the vehicle is legally yours, you won't be able to register it for use on New Zealand roads.

Section 3: Importing forward-control vehicles (Class MB) or off-road vehicles (Class MC) from Europe

Class	Description
MB (forward control passenger vehicle)	A passenger vehicle (other than a Class MC vehicle): that has not more than nine seating positions (including the driver's seating position), and in which the centre of the steering wheel is in the forward quarter of the vehicle's total length.
MC (off-road passenger vehicle)	A passenger vehicle designed with special features for off-road operation that has not more than nine seating positions (including the driver's seating position), and that: has four-wheel drive, and has at least four of the following characteristics when the vehicle is unladen on a level surface and the front wheels are parallel to the vehicle's longitudinal centre line and the tyres are inflated to the vehicle manufacturer's recommended pressure: An approach angle of not less than 28 degrees A breakover angle of not less than 14 degrees A departure angle of not less than 20 degrees A running clearance of not less than 200 mm A front axle clearance, rear axle clearance, or suspension clearance of not less than 175 mm.
Note: A passenger vehicle is a motor vehicle that is constructed primarily for the carriage of passengers, and either has at least four wheels, or has three wheels and a gross vehicle mass exceeding one tonne.

Be aware that your vehicle must meet the exhaust emissions requirements set out in infosheet 2.08.

If your vehicle meets the requirements in infosheet 2.08, you can continue with the following process.

If your vehicle is a Class MB or MC motor vehicle (see the table of vehicle classes above) and it was manufactured before 1 January 1990, go straight to the ownership flowchart.

If your vehicle was manufactured on or after 1 January 1990, but before 1 October 2003, there will be standards it has to meet — start at the standards flowchart.

If your vehicle was manufactured on or after 1 October 2003, it will need to meet a frontal impact standard in addition to other standards. Start at the frontal impact flowchart.