Import car from NZ

xkxlxm · 03-08-2022, 04:53 PM

This will most likely not happen ... but what's involved and what would approximate costs be? It's pre-1989 (well and truly) so I guess it's likely a permit could be achieved thru Dept of Infrastructure's 'Rover' (I think it is called that). Car is in south island. I imagine it would need a certificate to say that any/all asbestos has been removed, maybe a cert. to say the car is has been 'cleaned'. My passport needs renewal so I won't be going over there any time soon to look at it (which would, anyway, perhaps make the cost too high/prohibitive). That means I would be relying on the seller for an accurate description unless I could find someone from (perhaps) a club to inspect it. Transport to a port/shipping/customs clearance etc here/getting it picked up from the port and delivered. I haven't tried to contact the seller at this point because of all of the above, so I shouldn't really be asking for any of you to provide advice, but I am asking anyway. Thanks in advance ...

Franco Cozzo · 03-08-2022, 05:42 PM

Company called Iron Chef Imports does this stuff globally, they respond to questions on Messenger over on Facebook.

Worth a chat with them about fees for them to handle the whole process from ******* to breakfast:

https://facebook.com/ironchefimports/

Big_Daz · 04-08-2022, 11:50 AM

Being pre 89 you will just need the VIA (Import Approval) from DOTAR's. Would be a good idea to get it steam cleaned in NZ and checked for asbestos with whoever does it giving you a declaration stating its been steam cleaned and is free of asbestos. It will still be inspected by Quarantine on arrival regardless and what they will do/find will override any declaration you have been given by the NZ company and COULD lead to more treatment and costs (again, you might be fine and get a release also).. Its something to be aware of. Being over 30 years old you wont pay any duty but will still be up for GST and Quarantine charges of some sort.

I can recommend EDI Customs Brokers.. They have a specialist Automotive Logistics team who deal with this exact type of thing, and then you are dealing directly with the Forwarder/Customs Broker. If you have already found the car and dont need someone to source it for you also it will probably save you some $$$ as well...

Vesper Martini · 04-08-2022, 01:19 PM

You have to tell us what sort of Car it is, there not much over there you couldn't source here probably cheaper.

Though there were some Jap imports from the 80s & 90s that were not available here

Tonz · 04-08-2022, 02:57 PM

$$$$ on its not Jap.

PooDog · 05-08-2022, 08:48 AM

You used to have some seat belt mount issues going from oz - nz but not sure wether its the same going the other way ? or how much $ involved

xkxlxm · 05-08-2022, 10:50 AM

The car is pre-1950s, English-based Ford four cylinder side valve. NZ seems to have more of them left than Oz. (I imagine this is due to the restrictions on imported vehicles NZ used to have, meaning that cars were kept there when they would have passed their use-by date here.) It could be useful for parts for my project car although I probably should make do with what I have, given the 'remote location' of the car and the hoops to jump through.

When (stop saying "if") I get this thing going, or close to it, I will reveal it here.