Guide
What it costs to import a JDM car to New Zealand
New Zealand has no 25-year rule. A used Japanese car can be imported at any age, but to be registered it must pass entry certification against frontal impact, exhaust emissions and electronic stability control (ESC) standards. Cars 20 or more years old are exempt from those three standards but still need full entry certification.
Here is the full cost stack for an example ￥3,000,000 car at ¥88.76 per NZD. The estimated total is $46,473, with a likely range of $43,147 to $49,799. Rules last checked 2026-09-30.
| Line | NZD |
|---|---|
Vehicle price Hammer or FOB price converted from JPY. Customs counts exporter service and documentation fees as part of the price, so include them if you know them. | $33,799 |
Shipping to New Zealand (RoRo)est. Roll-on roll-off from Japan to Auckland, Wellington, Lyttelton or Nelson. Containers are roughly NZ$3,000 to NZ$4,500. Typically $1,500 to $3,500 | $2,500 |
Marine insurance(1.5%) Optional. If paid, it is added to the value GST is charged on. | $507 |
Pre-export cleaning and border inspection in Japanest. Used cars from Japan must be cleaned and inspected under an MPI-approved system (JEVIC, ATL, Bordercheck, KMA) before shipping. Paid in Japan. Typically $300 to $600 | $450 |
Customs duty(0%) Passenger cars are duty free in New Zealand whatever their origin. No origin certificate needed. | $0 |
GST(15%) 15% of the vehicle value plus freight and insurance (duty is zero). Paid at import clearance before release. Typically $5,371 to $5,671 | $5,521 |
Customs and MPI import levies Customs goods management levy plus MPI biosecurity levy on a sea import entry, including GST. | $136 |
Customs broker and port handlingest. A broker lodges the import entry; the port charges wharf handling and documentation. Typically $400 to $1,100 | $750 |
MPI biosecurity inspection on arrivalest. NZ$99.60 per RoRo vehicle inspected at the port. A dirty car means re-inspection at NZ$178.83 an hour plus cleaning or heat treatment. Typically $100 to $400 | $250 |
Entry certification, transport and repairsest. An entry certifier checks frontal impact, emissions and ESC evidence and the car's condition. Private importers must trailer the car from the port. Repairs (tyres, brakes, glass, rust) are common. Typically $600 to $2,000 | $1,300 |
Clean Car Standard chargeest. Every import needs a CO2 account, even a single private car. Pay-as-you-go used imports pay NZ$6 per g/km over a weight-adjusted 108 g/km target. Hybrids and EVs earn credits instead. Special interest vehicles are excluded. Typically $0 to $1,500 | $750 |
First registration and licensingest. One-off registration with plates and 12 months licence, plus tyre, refrigerant, VIN and Clean Car admin fees. Diesel cars cost more and also pay road user charges. Typically $434 to $586 | $510 |
| Estimated total landed | $46,473 |
| Excludes exporter commission, Japanese inland transport and any repairs beyond typical entry-certification fixes. GST and levies follow official rates; other lines are typical market ranges. | |
Where these numbers come from
- Shipping to New Zealand (RoRo): No official figure. Industry ranges published in 2026 (jdmbuysell, tokyocarz, jpsheet). Excludes Japan-side inland transport and export documents. source (checked 2026-09-30)
- Marine insurance: Not an official rate. Exporters quote 1% to 2% of value. source (checked 2026-09-30)
- Pre-export cleaning and border inspection in Japan: Industry estimate; mandatory, not optional. source (checked 2026-09-30)
- Customs duty: Working Tariff Document Section XVII: all 87.03 'Other' passenger-car lines are Free. Only motorhomes and ambulances carry 10%. source (checked 2026-09-30)
- GST: Customs may substitute an NZ-market valuation if the declared price looks unrealistically low. No depreciation allowance for a car bought remotely from NZ. source (checked 2026-09-30)
- Customs and MPI import levies: From 1 April 2026: $73.87 + $44.57 = $118.44 excl GST ($136.21 incl GST). source (checked 2026-09-30)
- Customs broker and port handling: Industry estimate: broker NZ$300 to NZ$700, port and documents NZ$100 to NZ$800. source (checked 2026-09-30)
- MPI biosecurity inspection on arrival: Low end is the official per-vehicle fee ($86.61 excl GST). High end includes typical cleaning or BMSB-season heat treatment. source (checked 2026-09-30)
- Entry certification, transport and repairs: No official price and certifier price pages could not be read. Unverified industry estimate; confirm with VTNZ, VINZ or AA before launch. source (checked 2026-09-30)
- Clean Car Standard charge: Depends on the car's CO2 figure: use the NZTA Clean Car Standard calculator for the exact charge. Rates set for 2026 and 2027; new used-import settings from 1 Jan 2028. source (checked 2026-09-30)
- First registration and licensing: Official NZTA fees for a private petrol car from 1 July 2026: $311.22 (up to 1300cc) to $463.74 (4001cc+), plus $122.56 of first-registration extras. source (checked 2026-09-30)
Can you import it?
- 20+ year exemption. A car manufactured or first registered overseas 20 or more years before its first NZ entry certification skips the frontal impact, emissions and ESC standards. No permit or quota. It still needs entry certification, GST, MPI clearance and a Clean Car account.
- Standard used import (entry certification). Cars under 20 years old must prove frontal impact, emissions and ESC compliance with the original Japanese export certificate.
- Special interest vehicle permit. Up to 200 permits a year let an enthusiast register a car under 20 years old that fails frontal impact, emissions or ESC. The quota usually runs out mid-year.
- Immigrant's or returning New Zealander's vehicle. For people moving to New Zealand with a car they already owned and used overseas. Not available for a car bought at auction from New Zealand.
Gotchas first-timers miss
- Customs duty on passenger cars is 0%. Exporter blogs that quote 5% or 10% are describing parts or motorhomes.
- Open a Clean Car Standard CO2 account before certification, even for one private car. A thirsty petrol car can attract a four-figure charge.
- Emissions acceptance tightens on 1 July 2028 to Japan 2018 codes only. Ship early if the car is borderline.
- Special interest permits are capped at 200 a year and run out mid-year. Get one before you buy.
- Private importers cannot drive an uncertified car; budget to trailer it from the port to the certifier.
- Registration fees changed on 1 July 2026 and Clean Car rates change on 1 January 2028. Re-check before quoting.
This guide is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rates change; confirm with a licensed importer or compliance workshop before you buy.
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