Export Cars
to New Zealand
UK Car Export provides professional vehicle export services to New Zealand for private buyers, trade customers and dealerships. We manage the complete process from vehicle sourcing and documentation through to international shipping and delivery support.
Request Export QuoteExporting to New Zealand
New Zealand is an established destination for UK vehicle exports with strong demand for quality right-hand drive vehicles. The UK-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (UKNZFTA) provides preferential duty rates for eligible UK-origin vehicles, making exports more competitive.
UK Car Source manages the full export process to New Zealand including biosecurity-compliant pre-shipment cleaning, NZTA documentation support, sea freight coordination and entry certification guidance.
Import Rules
| Drive Configuration | Right-hand drive required. |
| Vehicle Age Limit | No strict age limit, however vehicles must meet NZ border standards and biosecurity requirements. |
| Condition | Clean condition essential. Strict biosecurity inspection on arrival. Vehicles must be thoroughly cleaned before shipping. |
| Customs Authority | New Zealand Customs Service / NZTA |
| Duty & VAT | Customs duty (0% for UK vehicles post-UKNZFTA) and GST (15%) on CIF value. UKNZFTA provides preferential rates for UK-origin vehicles. |
| Standards | Must comply with New Zealand Vehicle Standards. Entry Certification required. NZTA approval needed. |
Import regulations are subject to change. We recommend confirming current requirements with the relevant customs authority prior to shipment.
Major Ports
Shipping Options
Required Documentation
Estimated Timelines
Vehicle Sourcing & Preparation
1–3 weeks depending on specification and availability
Documentation & Export Clearance
3–7 working days
Sea Freight Transit
28–38 days sea freight
Customs Clearance at Destination
3–10 working days depending on port and documentation
Total Estimated Process
6–12 weeks from order to delivery (subject to availability and customs)
Import Tax Breakdown
| Import Duty | 0% (UK-NZ Free Trade Agreement — duty eliminated for UK-origin vehicles) |
| GST | 15% on CIF + freight + insurance |
| Border Processing Levy | NZD 29.26 per shipment |
| Biosecurity Inspection | JEVOIS system fee applies on arrival — mandatory MPI inspection |
| Age Restriction | None for standard passenger vehicles |
| Post-Import Requirement | WoF (Warrant of Fitness) required after import; NZTA registration needed |
| Clearance Body | New Zealand Customs Service / MPI (biosecurity) |
Tax rates are indicative and subject to change. Verify with local customs authority before shipping.
Port Guide
Auckland Port (Ports of Auckland) handles the majority of UK vehicle imports via the Fergusson Container Terminal with RoRo capability. Wellington and Lyttelton (Christchurch) are secondary ports. The UK-NZ FTA means 0% import duty — a major commercial advantage for UK exporters targeting NZ buyers.
MPI (Ministry for Primary Industries) biosecurity inspection is mandatory and strict — all vehicles must be completely free of soil, plant material, and organic matter. Professional steam cleaning in the UK before shipment is strongly recommended and will avoid costly on-arrival cleaning or quarantine. NZTA registration and a WoF inspection are required after import before the vehicle can be driven on NZ roads. Transit time UK to Auckland is 5–7 weeks.
Local Market Advice
New Zealand is an excellent export destination for UK prestige vehicles. The UK-NZ FTA eliminates import duty — only 15% GST applies, making UK pricing extremely competitive versus local pricing for prestige and specialist models. RHD from the UK aligns perfectly with NZ road rules — left-hand drive cannot be registered.
The Defender V8 and Range Rover Sport are particularly popular. New Zealand's strong outdoor culture makes 4WDs and off-roaders highly desirable. Auckland and Queenstown are the main prestige vehicle markets. Clean, full-service-history UK vehicles are highly valued — NZ buyers are discerning. Budget for biosecurity cleaning (NZD 200–500) and a WoF inspection. The 0% duty post-FTA has significantly increased the attractiveness of UK-sourced vehicles in this market.
Export a Vehicle to New Zealand
Contact our export team today. We handle sourcing, documentation, shipping and logistics — so you don't have to.