Used vehicles from Australia

Evidence

You must provide evidence of:

• proof of ownership – deregistration or change of ownership papers plus an invoice, bill of sale or receipt, etc
• emissions standards – Australian design rules (ADR) plate or statement of compliance that includes an approved emission standard
• frontal impact standards - it appears on our list of compliant vehicles, ADR compliance plate or statement of compliance
• fuel consumption – fuel consumption certificate
• light-vehicle brakes standards for electronic stability control (ESC)
• heavy-vehicle brakes standards
• overall standards – ADR compliance plate or statement of compliance.

Proof of ownership

You need to provide evidence that you're the legal owner of the vehicle. This can include:

• the original documents showing the ownership history to the last registered owner in Australia (eg deregistration or change of ownership papers) (not required for new vehicles), and
  
• an invoice, bill of sale or receipt, etc.

Evidence of compliance with emission standards

The Vehicle inspection requirements manual: Entry certification lists acceptable emissions standards for vehicles.

To see if your vehicle is required to meet an emissions standard see the 'Summary of legislation' tab in section 11-2 Exhaust emissions.

11-2 Exhaust emissions(external link) 

To see how standards compliance are determined see Technical bulletin 28: Exhaust emissions standards compliance.

Technical bulletin 28: Exhaust emissions standards compliance(external link)

Detailed requirements for emissions standards can be found in the Land Transport Rule.

Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Exhaust Emissions 2007(external link) 

Note: There is no Australian vehicle emission standard for mopeds and motorcycles. This means you will need to provide other evidence such as a statement of compliance or alternative evidence of compliance.  

Examples of ADR plates

To view examples of ADR plates, see the Vehicle inspection requirements manual: Entry certification's reference materials.

Reference material 32: Sample Australian Design Rules (ADR) compliance plates(external link)

Evidence of compliance with frontal impact standards

For passenger cars (class MA)

You may be able to prove your car complies using our frontal impact lists. These lists cover vehicles manufactured during 1994–1996 when frontal impact standards were being developed. They therefore apply mainly to used imports. If the list says your vehicle does not meet a frontal impact standard, then you cannot bring it into New Zealand.Your vehicle isn't listed? If your vehicle was manufactured after 1996 it should have an ADR compliance plate, which is accepted evidence. No ADR compliance plate? You'll need to get a statement of compliance as evidence. You may not have to prove your vehicle complies with frontal impact standards if:

• it is more than 20 years old
• it is a 'special interest' vehicle
• you're emigrating to New Zealand and bringing your vehicle with you.

Find out more about these exceptions.

For 4x4, SUV and forward control vans (classes MB and MC)

If your Class MB or Class MC vehicle was manufactured after 1 October 2003, it must meet a frontal impact standard. The exception is if you're emigrating to New Zealand and bringing your vehicle with you. Find out more about this exception. Acceptable proof is an ADR compliance plate. No ADR compliance plate? You'll need to get a statement of compliance as evidence.

Evidence of compliance with fuel consumption information requirements

You can use our online tool(external link) to provide the fuel consumption compliance information. You'll then receive a fuel consumption certificate which you take to the entry certifier.

Evidence of compliance with light-vehicle brakes standards for electronic stability control (ESC)

All MA, MB, MC vehicles having ADR compliance from 1 November 2013 have electronic stability control. Otherwise, you must check for the presence of ESC. See the technical bulletin about how to prove the existence of ESC in the electronic stability control identification bulletin(external link).

Evidence of compliance with heavy-vehicle brakes standards

You must check for compliance with one of the approved brake standards if you want to import a heavy vehicle of class MD3, MD4, ME, NB or NC, no matter what date the vehicle was manufactured.See the detailed information about how to prove compliance with an approved brake standard in the following sections of the Vehicle inspection requirements manual – entry certification(external link):

• Brakes: 8-1 Service brake and park brake(external link)
• Technical bulletin 31 – Brakes standard compliance(external link).

Evidence of overall standards compliance

An ADR plate fixed to your vehicle is acceptable evidence that your vehicle meets applicable standards in New Zealand. The plate proves your vehicle met the standards when manufactured.No ADR compliance plate? You'll need to get a statement of compliance as evidence.