Step 1 : Buying your Vehicles

Importing a vehicle from Japan to New Zealand involves several key steps, including buying the vehicle in Japan, obtaining the correct documentation, passing export inspections, shipping from Japan to NZ, and ensuring the vehicle meets New Zealand’s compliance and emissions standards. Nichibo’s experienced team provides expert support throughout each stage of the process, ensuring a smooth, transparent, and stress-free experience. With their support, importing a vehicle becomes a seamless and straightforward journey. 

Nichibo offers access to Autosearch — our user-friendly online platform that allows you to browse vehicles and bid at all major auctions in Japan. With over 130,000 vehicles sold each month, Autosearch gives you direct access to one of the world’s largest vehicle markets, supported by real-time data, comprehensive vehicle reports, and our dedicated team ready to assist at every step. Our auction inspectors verify the vehicle description and physically each car you bid on prior to purchase to ensure you know exactly what you’re buying.

Step 2: Confirm Pre-Export Inspection

Nichibo partners with JEVIC (Japan Export Vehicle Inspection Centre), a major operating company of the Optimus Group, to ensure that all vehicles meet New Zealand’s strict import standards before departure from Japan. This includes comprehensive checks for biosecurity, odometer accuracy, structural safety, and emissions compliance. Vehicles must successfully pass this inspection or an equivalent approved pre-export check to be certified for export.

Once the inspection is complete, JEVIC issues a certificate confirming that the vehicle complies with New Zealand’s import regulations. Only then is the vehicle permitted to leave Japan. Key components of the inspection process include:

• Odometer Verification

JEVIC confirms the authenticity and accuracy of the vehicle’s odometer reading, ensuring buyers have confidence in the true mileage of the vehicle.

• Structural Integrity Assessment

The vehicle is thoroughly checked for any signs of structural damage or repairs that could affect safety, ensuring the vehicle remains roadworthy.

• Safety Feature Compliance

Safety systems such as airbags, seat belts, and anti-lock braking systems (ABS) are inspected for presence and proper functionality.

• Emissions Compliance

The vehicle’s exhaust emissions are tested to verify that they meet New Zealand’s environmental standards, helping reduce environmental impact and ensuring legal compliance.

• Biosecurity Clearance

Vehicles are inspected for pests, soil, plant material, and other contaminants that pose a biosecurity risk. This protects New Zealand’s natural ecosystems and agricultural sectors.

• Quarantine Heat Treatment

Depending on seasonal requirements, vehicles may undergo heat treatment to eliminate biosecurity threats such as stink bugs. JEVIC is certified to provide this critical treatment, ensuring compliance with New Zealand’s quarantine standards and safeguarding against the spread of invasive pests.

Here is an example of an Odometer Certification:

Step 3: Arranging Shipping – Partnering with Dolphin Shipping

Nichibo partners with Dolphin Shipping to offer fast, reliable, and secure international freight services. Depending on your needs, you can choose from a range of shipping methods designed to suit different vehicle volumes and protection requirements:

• Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo)

Ideal for shipping individual vehicles, RoRo is a cost-effective and efficient method where vehicles are driven directly onto the vessel and secured for transit.

• Container Shipping

Best suited for shipping multiple vehicles or where enhanced protection is preferred. Vehicles are loaded into containers to safeguard against external elements during transit.

Once your shipping method is selected, Nichibo and Dolphin Shipping will ensure that all necessary export documentation is prepared, including the Bill of Lading (BOL). This critical document confirms the shipment details and must be completed accurately to facilitate smooth customs clearance and delivery in New Zealand.

Step 4: Prepare Documentation

Ensure you have the following:

• Bill of Lading (BOL): Proof of shipment from Japan to New Zealand
• Export Certificate: A deregistration certificate is a crucial document for importing a vehicle. It provides evidence that the vehicle has been legally deregistered in its country of origin, making it eligible for export and registration in another country. Purchase Invoice: Shows the vehicle’s purchase price.
• Odometer Certification: The odometer reading should be certified and verified to ensure it hasn’t been tampered with this certification is often through JEVIC).
• English Translation of the Export Certificate: If the original is in Japanese Nichibo can get it translated.
• Biosecurity Declaration: To comply with New Zealand’s biosecurity rules.

Here is an example of a Export Certificate:

Step 5: Biosecurity Clearance

MPI Bio-Security Quarantine Checks

The primary bio-security inspection for imported vehicles is typically completed in Japan by JEVIC as an authorised agent of the NZ Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI). However, additional checks may be conducted by MPI upon the vehicle’s arrival. These post-arrival checks ensure ongoing compliance with New Zealand’s bio-security and import regulations and it is a huge part of New Zealand vehicle import process.

• Contaminant Check

MPI may inspect the vehicle for any remaining bio-security risks, such as soil, plant material, insects, or other contaminants that might not have been detected during the pre-export inspection.

• Thorough Cleaning

If contaminants are found, the vehicle may require thorough cleaning or fumigation to meet New Zealand’s bio-security standards.

• Documentation Review:

MPI will review all provided documentation, including the JEVIC inspection certificate, export certificate, and any other relevant papers, to ensure they are complete and accurate.

• Vehicle Inspection:

A physical inspection of the vehicle might be conducted to verify that it matches the documentation and that there are no discrepancies.

Step 6: Entry Certification

Once the vehicle arrives in New Zealand, it must undergo entry certification to ensure it is safe, roadworthy, and compliant with all relevant New Zealand standards before it can be registered. This is a mandatory part of New Zealand vehicle import process to protect the safety of vehicle occupants and other road users.

The inspection is carried out by a licensed certifier or authorised compliance center and includes a comprehensive evaluation of the vehicle’s structural integrity, safety systems, emissions output, and overall condition. Key components of the entry certification process include:

• Interior Disassembly

The vehicle is partially disassembled — panels, trim, and upholstery are removed — to inspect hidden areas. Inspectors check for rust, mechanical issues, structural damage, and confirm the integrity of safety systems such as airbags and seat belts.

• Exterior and Mechanical Inspection

The inspection covers all critical systems including brakes, tyres, wheels, hubs, steering, and suspension. Engine components are assessed to ensure they are functioning correctly. Inspectors also evaluate exterior lighting, the windscreen (including wipers and washers), mirrors, and the vehicle’s entry and exit accessibility, ensuring full compliance with roadworthiness standards.

• Emissions Compliance

The vehicle’s exhaust output is tested to verify it meets New Zealand’s emissions regulations, a critical component of environmental compliance.

• Clean Car Standard (CCS)

All vehicles undergoing entry certification must be linked to a Dealer’s Clean Car Standard account. Any applicable CCS fee or credit must be accepted and settled through the account prior to completing compliance.

Refer to Nichibo’s CCS guidance here for more information.

Certification Outcome

• If the vehicle passes compliance:

A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is assigned and affixed to the vehicle, confirming it has met all necessary safety, emissions, and structural standards.

An Entry Certificate (MR2A) is issued, allowing the vehicle to be registered and legally driven on New Zealand roads.

• If the vehicle fails compliance:

The compliance center will issue a repair notice, and the necessary work must be carried out to bring the vehicle up to standard before certification can proceed.

Step 6: Vehicle Registration

Once the vehicle has successfully passed entry certification and been issued a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), the next step is to register the vehicle with Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) so it can be legally driven on New Zealand roads.

To complete the registration, you will need to provide the following documentation:

• Proof of Identity – A valid driver’s license or passport.
• Proof of Compliance – The official entry certification documents (MR2A) issued by the compliance center.
• Proof of Ownership – A document showing legal ownership such as a commercial invoice or sale and purchase agreement.
• Vehicle Details – Including the make, model, VIN, and other key vehicle identifiers.

Once all documentation is verified and registration fees are paid, you will receive:

• Official number plates
• A Certificate of Registration, confirming that the vehicle is now legally registered in New Zealand.

Step 7: Arrange Vehicle Insurance

Although not legally required in New Zealand, vehicle insurance is strongly recommended. Insurance provides financial protection against potential accidents, theft, or third-party liability. Comprehensive or third-party policies can be tailored to suit your needs, offering peace of mind once your vehicle is on the road. This is part of New Zealand vehicle import process.

Once your vehicle is registered, licensed, and insured, it is fully compliant and ready to be driven on New Zealand roads.

Estimated Costs – Entry Certification, Registration & Warrant of Fitness (WoF)

Estimated Costs (NZD)        

• Entry Certification Fees        

$500 – $1,500. Varies based on inspection complexity and vehicle condition

• Registration Fee       

Approximately $300. Payable upon completion of entry certification

• Licensing Fee

$70 – $200. Based on vehicle class and weight

• WoF Inspection        

$50 – $70. Required for roadworthiness approval (pre-registration)