If you are planning to buy or import a vehicle in New Zealand, there are specific procedures and paperwork that you need to follow. In this article, we will discuss the steps involved in buying or importing a car in New Zealand and the paperwork required for selling a car in the country.
Buying a New or Used Car in New Zealand
The process of buying a car in New Zealand is relatively simple, and both new and used cars are readily available in the market. However, if you are a foreign national, you need to keep certain things in mind.
Find a Dealer
The first step is to find a reliable dealer who sells new or used cars. You can use online platforms like Trade Me, Autotrader, and Turners to search for dealers and private sellers.
Inspection
Once you have identified the car you want to buy, it’s essential to inspect the car thoroughly. You can hire a mechanic or a car inspection service to inspect the vehicle and provide you with a report on its condition.
Payment and Insurance
If you are happy with the car’s condition, you can proceed with the payment. In New Zealand, it’s common to pay for the car using a bank transfer or a debit card. Cash transactions are limited to a maximum of NZD 10,000. It’s essential to have insurance before driving the car, and you can purchase it from any insurance company in New Zealand.
Registration
Once you have paid for the car, you need to register it with the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA). You can do this at an NZTA office or through an NZTA-certified dealer. You will need to provide the following documents:
- Proof of ownership
- Valid identification
- Proof of insurance
- Warrant of Fitness (WoF) or Certificate of Fitness (CoF)
- Road User Charges (RUC) if applicable
The registration process usually takes one or two days, and once your car is registered, you will receive a registration certificate.
Taxes and Duties
If you are importing a car from another country, you may need to pay import duties and GST. You can find more information on import taxes and duties on the New Zealand Customs Service website.
Importing a Vehicle in New Zealand
If you are planning to import a car into New Zealand, you need to follow specific procedures and obtain the necessary paperwork. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to import a car into New Zealand.
Check if Your Car is Eligible for Import
Before importing a car into New Zealand, you need to check if the car is eligible for import. You can do this by checking the NZTA’s list of eligible vehicles. If your car is not on the list, you will need to obtain a Low Volume Vehicle (LVV) certification.
Obtain the Necessary Paperwork
You will need to obtain the following paperwork before importing a car into New Zealand:
- Proof of ownership
- Bill of Lading or Delivery Order
- Customs entry or Self-Assessed Clearance declaration
- Import Entry Transaction Number (if applicable)
- WoF or CoF
- RUC if applicable
Transport Your Car to New Zealand
You can transport your car to New Zealand by sea or air. It’s essential to ensure that the transport company is reliable and has experience in transporting cars.
Pay Import Taxes and Duties
If you are importing a car into New Zealand, you may need to pay import duties and GST. You can find more information on import taxes and duties on the New Zealand Customs Service website.
Register Your Car with the NZTA
Once your car has arrived in New Zealand, you need to register it with the NZTA. You can do this at an NZTA office or through an NZTA-certified dealer. You will need to provide the following documents:
- Proof of ownership
- WoF or CoF
- RUC if applicable
- Customs entry or Self-Assessed Clearance declaration
- Import Entry Transaction Number (if applicable)
- Proof of payment of import duties and GST
The registration process usually takes one or two days, and once your car is registered, you will receive a registration certificate.
Get Your Car Inspected
Before you can drive your car in New Zealand, you need to get it inspected by an NZTA-approved inspection company. The inspection includes checking the car’s brakes, steering, suspension, lights, emissions, and safety features. If your car passes the inspection, you will receive a WoF or CoF.
Relevant Government Departments and Contact Details
Here are the contact details of the relevant government departments in New Zealand that you may need to contact when importing a car:
- New Zealand Customs Service: You can find information on import taxes and duties on the New Zealand Customs Service website. You can also contact them through their website or by phone at 0800 428 786.
- New Zealand Transport Agency: The NZTA is responsible for vehicle registration and inspection in New Zealand. You can find more information on their website or contact them by phone at 0800 822 422.
Selling a Car in New Zealand
If you want to sell a car in New Zealand, you need to follow certain procedures and obtain the necessary paperwork. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to sell a car in New Zealand.
Cancel Your Car Insurance
Before selling your car, you need to cancel your car insurance. You can do this by contacting your insurance company and providing them with the necessary information.
Obtain a Vehicle Deregistration Certificate
You need to obtain a vehicle deregistration certificate from the NZTA. You can do this online or by visiting an NZTA office. To obtain the certificate, you need to provide the following documents:
- Proof of ownership
- Valid identification
- Proof of car insurance cancellation
Transfer Ownership
To transfer ownership, you need to provide the following documents to the buyer:
- Vehicle deregistration certificate
- WoF or CoF if applicable
- Proof of ownership
- Proof of identification
Once the buyer has the necessary documents, they can register the car in their name.
Buying or importing a vehicle in New Zealand may seem overwhelming, especially if you are a foreign national. However, by following the procedures and obtaining the necessary paperwork, you can easily buy or import a car and sell it when the time comes. If you have any questions or concerns, you can contact the relevant government departments for assistance.