Vehicle Importation and Entry Compliance – The Surgery

New Zealand Import and Entry Certification

Our team are here to help, right from the start…

We can assist with the initial condition assessment of any potential vehicle to be imported. We can do this by assessing any available photos, online auctions or listings, providing you with advice on what to look for and what to avoid.

We can assist or manage the following steps for importation…

The initial arrival of the vehicle in NZ.
First inspection at VTNZ
Remedial work if required for entry compliance.
Modification work and compliance cert of modifications with LVVTA.
- - - Seat belts.
    - Seats.
    - Brakes.
    - Suspension.
    - Engine.
Rust repairs (structural and non-structural) that carry a rust repair certificate as required for VTNZ compliance.
- - - Floor pans
    - Sills.
    - Chassis rails.
    - Body panels.

Importing a vehicle into New Zealand and What to look for ?

All restorations are not equal….

Just because a vehicle is advertised for sale overseas as “fully restored” does not automatically mean that it will comply with New Zealand standards.

In many cases these vehicles fail miserably when inspected in NZ.

Different countries have extremely variable safety standards for vehicle rust repairs, crash repairs and modifications. So an in depth assessment is an absolute must when importing vehicles from overseas.

In some cases it is far better to import an unrestored original vehicle, worts and all that needs work.

That way you pay far less for the vehicle purchase and at the entry compliance inspection at VTNZ there is nothing to hide. Then any repairs that are needed can be carried out once and to comply with New Zealand standards.

Any modifications

If a vehicle is non-standard on arrival…ie, modified after it has left the factory such as the engine, suspension, steering brakes, wheels, seats, seat belts or bodywork etc, then all of these items will need to comply with New Zealand LVVTA safety standards.

Detailed manufacturers technical information on each non-standard item will need to be supplied so that the LVVTA can assess the suitability and safety of each part.

Any old accident repairs

If a vehicle has any accident damage on arrival in NZ or has signs of previous accident damage repairs these areas will need to be exposed and inspected by a repair certifier.

If the repairs have not been carried to NZ repair standards they will need to be rectified and brought up to the NZ standard and certified.

Any rust repairs

If a vehicle has any signs of previous rust repairs or the vehicle has underseal possibly concealing previous rust repairs on arrival then the underseal will need to be removed and all existing rust repairs exposed.

If the repairs have not been carried to NZ repair standards they will need to be rectified and brought up to the NZ standard and certified.

Any visible sign of rust

If a vehicle has any sign of rust on arrival then this rust must be repaired to NZ repair standards and carry a repair certificate.