Import guides · New Zealand
Import a Honda Civic Type R EK9 to New Zealand
The Honda Civic Type R EK9 (EK9) was built from 1997 to 2000: 1.6 L four-cylinder (B16B), front-wheel drive. Here is what one costs landed in New Zealand, whether you can import it, and what to look for on the auction sheet before you bid.
What it costs landed in New Zealand
A Honda Civic Type R EK9 in decent, mostly original condition typically sells for about ￥2,000,000 to ￥4,500,000 at auction. Here is the full cost stack for a ￥3,250,000 car, at ¥88.48 per NZD (live rate, 2026-10-15). Likely range $46,570 to $53,222.
| 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. | $36,731 |
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. | $551 |
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 $5,817 to $6,117 | $5,967 |
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 | $49,896 |
| 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. | |
Estimate only, from the same rules as the calculator (last checked 2026-09-30). Auction prices are a rough guide (checked 2026-10-16): Estimated from Japanese dealer listings (carsensor.net, retail asking prices run roughly 15–35% above hammer), exporter-published hammer ranges (acrossjpn.com, logi-net.com) and exporter listings (jdmbuysell.com), checked 16 Oct 2026. Ranges target a straight, driveable car, not concours or special editions. Condition, mileage, grade, colour and trim move prices a long way, especially for GT-Rs, Supras and NSXs.
Can you import a Civic Type R EK9 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.
- Built 1997 to 2000YesLikely eligible via 20+ year exemption
With the build month unknown we assume December, like the rules do. A car built earlier in the year may qualify sooner.
The full answer for a 2000 car
Built 2000, about 25 years old, which meets the 20-year threshold.
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.
Every pathway we checked
- 20+ year exemptionYES
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.
Built 2000, about 25 years old, which meets the 20-year threshold.
Official source (checked 2026-09-30) - Standard used import (entry certification)MAYBE
Cars under 20 years old must prove frontal impact, emissions and ESC compliance with the original Japanese export certificate.
The vehicle must meet: Frontal impact: Japanese-market car built on or after 1 January 1996 (kei cars from 1 July 2000), shown by a 5-digit type designation number on the export certificate; Emissions: the export certificate's emissions code must be an accepted Japan 2005 Low Harm, Japan 09 or Japan 2018 code (petrol D only if first registered from 2012, or E, G, H, L, M, R, Q, 3 to 7). From 1 July 2028 only Japan 2018 codes pass; ESC fitted: required on every used passenger car border-inspected since 1 March 2020. A compliance workshop or entry certifier confirms this against the chassis code and build date.
Official source (checked 2026-09-30) - Special interest vehicle permitMAYBE
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.
For cars under 20 years old that fail the standards. NZTA must deem it of historic value, or it must meet 3 of 4: named as a collector's item in a listed magazine, under 20,000 built a year, a 2-door coupe or convertible, built as a high-performance car. You must own another everyday car, keep this one 4 years, and not have had a permit in the last 2 years. Get the permit before you buy.
Official source (checked 2026-09-30) - Immigrant's or returning New Zealander's vehicleMAYBE
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.
Only applies if you lived outside NZ for at least 21 months and personally owned and used this car overseas for at least 12 months before arriving. Otherwise ignore this pathway.
Official source (checked 2026-09-30)
- A car whose odometer does not correctly record distance, or has none, is prohibited from import. source
- A Japanese-market car built before 1996 and under 20 years old cannot meet the frontal impact standard; in practice this only matters for rare late-registered cars. source
- Left-hand-drive cars under 20 years old need a separate LHD permit or a right-hand-drive conversion. Most JDM cars are right-hand drive already. source
Rules last checked: 2026-09-30
When can I import it?
20+ year exemption: a car qualifies once it is 20 years old, counted from its first registration.
| Built | 20 years from first registration | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | January 2017 to December 2017 | Old enough now, whatever the build month |
| 1998 | January 2018 to December 2018 | Old enough now, whatever the build month |
| 1999 | January 2019 to December 2019 | Old enough now, whatever the build month |
| 2000 | January 2020 to December 2020 | Old enough now, whatever the build month |
What to check on a Civic Type R EK9 auction sheet
- Chassis code EK9. Other EK Civics are often dressed up as Type Rs.
- Rust in the rear arches.
- Track history: repaired corners (W) and replaced panels (XX).
- Modifications in the notes; original cars carry a premium.
- On any car: an R or RA grade means accident repairs, and a replaced or doubtful odometer means the real distance is unknown.
Codes to watch for on this model
Upload the auction sheet and get every damage mark on a car map, the inspector's notes in English, the landed cost in New Zealand for that exact car and a clear eligibility answer, in about a minute. From A$15.
The Civic Type R EK9 in other countries
General information, not legal or tax advice. Model names are used only to describe the cars; Kensa-ya is not affiliated with any manufacturer. Always confirm with a licensed importer or compliance workshop before you buy.