Importing a vehicle from Japan to New Zealand is a smart choice for Kiwis who value quality, reliability, and value for money. Japan’s strict maintenance standards and large used-car market make it a consistent source for low-mileage vehicles.

Each year, thousands of vehicles make the journey from Japan to New Zealand. The process is efficient when handled correctly, but missing paperwork or biosecurity requirements can lead to costly delays.

At Dolphin Shipping, we handle every stage of the process - from booking export logistics with our team in Japan to MPI inspection, New Zealand customs clearance, and NZTA border checks - so you can import with confidence.

Step 1: Preparing to Purchase and Export

Before buying, make sure your chosen vehicle is eligible for import under NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) rules. All imported vehicles must pass a compliance inspection before they can be registered for use on New Zealand roads.

It’s best to contact a compliance centre directly to discuss the specific requirements, but here are a few key things to keep in mind:

·     Must have been first registered after 01 January 2012

·     Vehicle must have a model code of Dxx or later, as Cxx or earlier codes will not meet the safety standards.

If you need recommendations for compliance centres, get in touch with our team - we’ll be happy to assist.

Step 2: Making a booking

When your chosen vehicle is ready for export, let your supplier know you would like to ship with Dolphin Shipping.

In most cases, you will need to contact our team and we can provide you with a cargo nomination form for you to give to your supplier – the form has all the required information for making a booking with our Japanese Export Agent - Daiwa Logistics.

From there, the supplier and Daiwa Logistics will liaise and arrange the booking.  Once the vessel your vehicle has been loaded on leaves Japan, our team here at Dolphin Shipping will be notified of your vehicle and we will then reach out to you and begin the import process.

Please note that there will be export-related charges such as export clearance, radiation checks, and transport from the vehicle’s location to the forwarding yard. These costs are billed by Daiwa Logistics to your supplier, who will then pass them on to you.

Step 3: Pre-export inspections and cleaning

Before export, all used vehicles must be thoroughly cleaned at the forwarding yards in Japan to meet New Zealand’s strict biosecurity standards. This cleaning process removes soil, plant material, and other contaminants to prevent the introduction of unwanted pests or diseases.

JEVIC in Japan manages this cleaning process for our customers, ensuring each vehicle meets the required standards so it can be released from port immediately upon arrival in New Zealand - without delays for additional cleaning. All JEVIC facilities are approved by New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).

Vehicles are heat-treated to eliminate the risk of Brown Marmorated Stink Bug (BMSB) contamination. This treatment is required during the high-risk season, which runs from September to April each year.

JEVIC conducts odometer checks to verify that the readings have not been wound back or tampered with. An NZTA border inspection is also carried out to assess the vehicle’s structural integrity. If any previous repairs, rust, or structural damage are identified, the vehicle will be flagged for further review during the New Zealand compliance stage.

This entire process and its associated costs are included in our service package - with every step managed for you by our experienced team.

Step 4: Shipping from Japan to New Zealand

Vehicles usually depart from major ports such as Yokohama, Nagoya, or Osaka.

Our team will always select the Roll-on / Roll-off method for your bookings as this is the best way to ship vehicles from Japan to New Zealand.

Shipping Methods:
Roll-on / Roll-off (RoRo)
• Most common and economical option
• Vehicle is driven on and off the vessel, using lashing to keep the vehicle safe while onboard
• Best for driveable cargo such as vehicles, motorbikes, campervans, motorhomes
• Can easily facilitate towable cargo such as caravans, or palletised cargo

Container Shipping
• More expensive option
• Vehicle is loaded inside its own 20ft container and lashed for safety.

Step 5: New Zealand Import Arrival Processes

When the vessel your vehicle is loaded on departs Japan, Daiwa Logistics will notify our team and provide the relevant documents. We will get in contact with you to arrange the import process and get you to complete relevant NZ Customs forms.

At this stage we will need to know where you wish to deliver the vehicle – we recommend sending the vehicle directly to a compliance centre as it will not be legal to drive on NZ roads.

There will be 15% GST for the vehicle payable to NZ Customs, which is calculated on the commercial value + ocean freight. There will also be a NZ Customs Entry Fee. We charge these fees on behalf of NZ Customs.

Around 1 week before the vessel arrives into NZ, we will send you our invoice which will have the pre-export inspections/cleaning costs, ocean freight, NZ Customs Entry Fee and GST charges. There is not duty on the vehicles.

Once the vessel carrying your vehicle departs Japan, Daiwa Logistics will notify our team and provide all relevant documentation. We will then contact you to begin the import process and assist you with completing the required New Zealand Customs forms.

At this stage, we will also need to confirm your preferred delivery location. We recommend sending the vehicle directly to a compliance centre, as it cannot be legally driven on New Zealand roads until it has completed the compliance process and been registered.

New Zealand Customs will charge 15% GST on the vehicle, calculated on the commercial value plus ocean freight. A Customs Entry Fee will also apply. These charges are collected by us on behalf of New Zealand Customs.

Approximately one week before the vessel arrives in New Zealand, we will issue our invoice. This will include pre-export inspection and cleaning costs, ocean freight, the NZ Customs Entry Fee, and GST. Please note that there is no duty payable on the vehicles, but additional parts may incur duty.

Our in-house Customs Broker will manage the clearance of your goods for entry. Once clearance has been completed and your invoice has been settled, we will be able to release the cargo for delivery to your nominated address.

Step 6: NZTA Compliance and Registration

Before you can legally drive the vehicle on NZ roads, the vehicle must pass Entry Certification and a Warrant of Fitness (WOF) inspection. Once it had passed this process, it can also be registered.

Dolphin Shipping partners with trusted compliance agents across New Zealand:

• Auckland: Fasttrack Compliance (Penrose) – NZTA-approved inspections, structural checks, and certification.

• Christchurch: Magnum Compliance – our South Island partner for full entry certification and inspection services.

We can deliver vehicles directly from port to these centres, ensuring compliance is completed quickly and accurately.

The compliance and registration costs are separate to ours, so you will need to check those rates directly with a compliance centre.

Step 7: Clean Car Standard - NZ Government Charges

Before your vehicle can be registered for road use in New Zealand, CO₂ charges may apply. If the vehicle’s CO₂ emissions are higher than the emissions-to-weight ratio target, a fee will be charged.

As the importer, it is your responsibility to create a CO₂ account using a RealMe account, and ensure all applicable charges are paid at the time of compliance.

For more information or to create an account, please go to: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/vehicles/clean-car-programme/clean-car-standard

If you have questions, we recommend discussing them with your compliance centre.

Step 8: New Zealand Import Arrival Processes

When the vessel your vehicle is loaded on departs Japan, Daiwa Logistics will notify our team and provide the relevant documents. We will get in contact with you to arrange the import process and get you to complete relevant NZ Customs forms.

At this stage, we will also need to confirm your preferred delivery location. We recommend sending the vehicle directly to a compliance centre, as it cannot be legally driven on New Zealand roads until it has completed the compliance process and been registered.

New Zealand Customs will charge 15% GST on the vehicle, calculated on the commercial value plus ocean freight. A Customs Entry Fee will also apply. These charges are collected by us on behalf of New Zealand Customs.

Approximately one week before the vessel arrives in New Zealand, we will issue our invoice. This will include pre-export inspection and cleaning costs, ocean freight, NZ Customs Entry Fee, and GST. Please note that there is no duty payable on the vehicles, but additional parts may incur duty.

Our in-house Customs Broker will manage the clearance of your goods for entry. Once clearance has been completed and your invoice has been settled, we will be able to release the cargo for delivery to your nominated address.

Expanded FAQs

1. How long does it take to ship a car from Japan to New Zealand?

Most shipments arrive within 3 – 5 weeks, depending on port schedules and forwarding yard volumes.

2. What documents are required?

Export certificate, bill of sale, and NZ customs documents.

3. Can I import a non-running vehicle?

Yes, depending on the port of export.

4. Do I need a customs broker?

No, we have an in-house customs brokerage.

5. What if my car fails MPI? or compliance inspection?

It will go through the cleaning process again.

6. Can I import an electric or hybrid vehicle?

Yes. For Electric vehicles - our Japanese agent, Daiwa Logistics, will need to ensure the electric vehicle is booked a vessel that accepts this type of cargo, as not all vessels are equipped to do so.

Why Choose Dolphin Shipping

• Decades of experience in Japanese vehicle imports

• Transparent, itemised documentation

• Regular sailings from major Japan ports

• End-to-end logistics, customs, and compliance

• Trusted partners: Fasttrack Compliance (Auckland) and Magnum Compliance (Christchurch)

Ready to move your vehicle, caravan, or boat?

Contact Dolphin Shipping today. We manage every step from export to delivery with care and efficiency.

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