Buying and importing a car from Japan to New Zealand can be an attractive option for car enthusiasts looking for unique and high-quality vehicles.

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Japan is known for producing high-quality cars, and the country has a vast selection of new and used vehicles available for sale. In this guide, we will provide an overview of the process of buying and importing a car from Japan to New Zealand.

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Step 1: Research

The first step in buying and importing a car from Japan to New Zealand is to research the process and understand the requirements. It's essential to work with a reputable and experienced Japanese Export Agent who can guide you through the process and ensure that everything is completed correctly. The Japanese Export Agent will assist you with finding the right car, bidding at the Japanese Auctions and negotiating the purchase price if the car was passed in at Auction. Alternatively, you may also be purchasing from a Japanese car dealer.

Step 2: Find the Right Car

Once you have identified a reputable Japanese used vehicle export agent, it's time to find the right car. Japan has a vast selection of vehicles available for sale, from small city cars to high-performance sports cars. It's important to have a clear understanding of what you are looking for in a car, including the make, model, and year of the vehicle. Bidding at the Japanese used vehicle auctions in Japan is where most people importing used cars will purchase from. Auctions happen across Japan every day of the week, with the largest Auction “USS Tokyo” occurring every Thursday. Your chosen Japanese Export Agent may visit the auctions or will bid utilising the online auction bidding network from their office.

When registering your bid with your chosen Japanese Auction Agent, it’s important to factor in the cost of shipping and import taxes. GST is payable on the CIF value of the vehicle (Car Cost / Insurance / Freight) and is 15% in New Zealand.

Step 3: Arrange Shipping

Once you have purchased the car or been successful in winning the auction, it's time to arrange the shipping and import your Japanese car to New Zealand. There are several shipping options available, including container shipping and RoRo shipping. Container shipping is the most secure method, as the car is loaded into a container and sealed before being transported. RoRo shipping is a more affordable option and the way in which most cars are shipped globally(including new vehicles.) Current Japanese car importers in New Zealand use the Roll on Roll off shipping method, with only a handful of cars shipped in container throughout the 2022 calendar year.

Step 4: Customs Clearance and Compliance Testing

Once the car arrives in New Zealand, it will be customs cleared and transported from the port of arrival (Auckland, Lyttelton, Wellington or Nelson) to a compliance center where it will be tested to ensure it meets the New Zealand on road standards. When the import clearance is completed, this is where you’ll pay your GST and import freight charges.

It's important to work with a reputable compliance center that deals with customers who import cars to New Zealand on a day to day basis. If you have questions about importing a car from Japan and the vehicle standards that need to be met, then you should contact a compliance testing company that can provide guidance on the compliance process and ensure that the car meets all of New Zealand's requirements. We work with Fasttrack Compliance and would recommend enquiring with them if you have any questions.

Step 5: Register the Vehicle

Once the car has passed compliance testing, it's time to register the vehicle with the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA). The vehicle will be given its first Warrant of Fitness (WoF) as part of the compliance process. It’s then up you to register the car.

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Buying and importing a car from Japan to New Zealand can be a complex process, but with the right guidance and preparation, it can be a rewarding and exciting experience. It's important to work with a reputable and experienced export agent, that understands the New Zealand Import market and knows the things to look out for on a vehicle at the time of purchase that may hinder or cost you significant money during the compliance process. With New Zealand's strict on road requirements and regulations. It’s important that you understand the requirements. With proper planning and attention to detail, you can enjoy your new Japanese import on the roads of New Zealand.

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Further information about importing from Japan can be found on the NZTA's website.

Or, don't hesitate to reach out to one of the team via the Dolphin Shipping "Contact Us" page.