This page explains how the Clean Car Standard fits within the vehicle importation process.

We have also produced two videos that provide an overview of the process – one for new vehicles and one for used vehicles.

Importation overview for new vehicles video

Importation overview for used vehicles video

New vehicles

This diagram shows the pathway for importing new vehicles:

View larger image [PDF, 411 KB]

To use the new vehicle pathway shown above, you must be a Waka Kotahi approved new light vehicle certifier. This is because new vehicle distributors must undertake their own entry certification at a model level (not for individual vehicles).

If you are not an approved certifier, you must use a physical inspection site.

New vehicle importers other than parallel importers must be registered and set up in a system called MIAMI - operated by MIA. Importers’ CO2 account numbers are loaded into MIAMI against their brands as VIN Notification files. The MIAMI system then automatically allocates the CO2 account.

When the vehicle is ready for distribution the importer will notify the vehicle details to Waka Kotahi and this automatically updates the importer’s CCS CO2 account with the vehicle record.

Once the dealership is ready, they will perform a pre-delivery inspection and update Waka Kotahi’s Landata Motor Vehicle Register (MVR). This automatically updates the CCS CO2 system. Before a Warrant of Fitness (WoF) can be recorded the vehicle must be accepted by the importer or authorised delegate in the CCS CO2 account.

Used vehicles

This diagram shows the pathway for importing used vehicles:

View larger image [PDF, 448 KB]

Once the vehicle is purchased and the importer has the documentation with a VIN or chassis number, and they can record this data in the Fuelsaver system to assign the vehicle to the CO2 account.

This will provide early visibility of the CCS values on the Fuel Consumption Statement.

The assignment action linking the vehicle to the importer’s CCS account is held in Fuelsaver and displays in the dealer bulk enquiry in Rightcar. It will update the CCS account once the vehicle has cleared Customs.

If the 3pWLTP CO2 value is not as expected now is the time to seek a Statement of Compliance or other approved evidence of the CO2.

Importers need to give certifiers a CCS CO2 account number. The certifier will ensure the account number supplied is loaded against the VIN even if this differs from a record previously loaded by the importer.

Entry certifiers will confirm the vehicle details including fuel consumption details and confirm the vehicle technically complies with vehicle standards.

The vehicle can leave the certifier with the MR2A registration form as normal.

Both the Fleet Average and PAYG schemes require acceptance in the CCS system before vehicles can be registered.

Do your homework

It’s a good idea to make sure you understand what CCS charges or credits there might be before you purchase your vehicle.  The CCS CO2 calculator in Fuelsaver can assist in determining CCS CO2 values. Fuelsaver also has a link to a reference file of recently registered vehicles with their CCS CO2 values, so you can see the values for similar vehicles.

Fuelsaver(external link)

Export documentation

Once you’ve purchased your vehicle, use your export documentation to enter the vehicle details and CCS CO2 account number into the Fuelsaver system; this will calculate the CCS CO2 value and credits/charges. Once the vehicle has cleared Customs its details will automatically appear in your CO2 account.

Get your vehicle data before certification

If you are dealing in Japanese imports, you might not have been able to get and publish vehicle data before entry certification. The main reason for this is that data is not being extracted by chassis number.

Most of the logistics companies are now adding vehicle data to the Waka Kotahi database early but dealers need to ensure that they, and their sales platform providers, pull the data using the chassis number of the vehicle.

Read more information about why this is important and what dealers need to do.

Get your vehicle data before entry certification [PDF, 401 KB]

Compliance

Your vehicle can’t be certified without a CCS CO2 account number, so you must include this number in the documentation you give to the entry certifier. It also needs to be clear which party is being declared as the importer of the vehicle.

In Fuelsaver there is an option to download and print a form with the CO2 account details – you can use this as the header sheet for your documents.

The entry certifier will confirm all the details of the vehicle including the CO2 account number supplied. If the data matches, the vehicle record will appear in your CO2 account as ‘ready for acceptance’.

You then need to accept the vehicle so it can be registered.