EK · EK9 · 1997–2000
Import guides / New Zealand
Importing a car from Japan to New Zealand
Eligibility depends on frontal-impact and exhaust-emissions standards by model code. MOTORAVI shows a conditional verdict with a checklist until model-code rules are added.
Rule verificationResearched, not broker-confirmed
Last verified Oct 12, 2026
Eligibility
- Frontal-impact standard for Japanese-market cars built after 1 January 1996 (kei cars after 1 July 2000), unless 20+ years old or a Special Interest Vehicle.
- Exhaust emissions standards by model-code prefix, tightening again from July 2028.
- Electronic stability control is required for some vehicle classes.
What you pay
- No duty on passenger cars from Japan.
- GST on customs value plus duty, freight and insurance.
- Entry certification, and biosecurity cleaning before shipping.
- Not included: registration, WoF and road user charges.
Cars from Japan you can import to New Zealand now
Model codes whose production years already meet the import rules for New Zealand — part or all of the run. Each model page shows the exact years.
DC2 · 1995–2001
NA1 · 1990–2005
AP1 · 1999–2005
NB · NB8C · 1998–2005
FD · FD3S · 1991–2002
SE · SE3P · 2003–2012
Z16A · 1990–2001
Rules MOTORAVI applies
These are the rules our eligibility check uses today, with their sources.
Duties, taxes and fees in estimates
Destination ports
Auckland · Lyttelton (Christchurch)