If you're importing a used vehicle from Australia you must provide evidence that it meets a range of approved standards before it can be registered for use on the road.
You must provide evidence of:
You need to provide evidence that you're the legal owner of the vehicle. This can include:
For both used and parallel-imported new vehicles, a statement of compliance that includes an approved emission standard is acceptable proof your vehicle meets New Zealand requirements.The emission standards applying to light vehicles are coded ADR 79. You can determine the version of the ADR 79 standard from the date on the ADR compliance plate.
Date on ADR plate | Petrol | Diesel |
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Up to 12/2002 | Non-compliant with ADR 79 | Non-compliant with ADR 79 |
01/2003–12/2003 | ADR 79/00 (Euro 2) | Non-compliant with ADR 79 |
01/2004–12/2005 | ADR 79/00 (Euro 2) | ADR 79/00 (Euro 2) |
01/2006–12/2006 | ADR 79/01 (Euro 3) | ADR 79/00 (Euro 2) |
01/2007–06/2010 | ADR 79/01 (Euro 3) | ADR 79/01 (Euro 4) |
07/2010 onwards | ADR 79/02 (Euro 4) | ADR 79/01 (Euro 4) |
Some vehicles may comply up to a year in advance of these dates (and up to two years in the case of petrol vehicles complying with ADR 79/02). To confirm compliance in these cases, contact the vehicle manufacturer.See more detail on New Zealand emission standards.
(in use before 1 July 1988 and until 1 July 1991)
Motor vehicles except motorcycles (90 mm x 90 mm) |
Motorcycles only (100 mm x 40 mm) |
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General use Colour: other than red, green, blue or yellow. |
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(in use after 1 July 1988 and until 1 July 1992)
Motor vehicles except motorcycles (100 mm x 50 mm) |
Motorcycles only (95 mm x 35 mm) |
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General use Colour: other than red, green, blue or yellow. |
|
(in use from October 1989 – current style)
Motor vehicles except motorcycles (100 mm x 50 mm) |
Motorcycles only (100 mm x 40 mm) |
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General use Colour: other than red, green, blue or yellow. |
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Trailers over 4.5 tonnes ATM (150 mm x 90 mm) |
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Trailer Colour: other than red, green, blue or yellow. |
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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:
Find out more about these exceptions.
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.
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.
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).
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):
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.