Private Import From Japan

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rickj

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#315328 3-Jul-2024 23:01

Hi all,

I currently live in Japan and own a 2017 Honda Freed Hybrid G type. About 50K km. Love the car and am thinking about shipping it to NZ when I move back later this year, for various reasons.

My main concern is ongoing service & parts, considering the Freed isn't (and AFAIK, has never been) sold in NZ.

Does anyone have any experience with or advice on this - whether with the Freed or similar situations?

Cheers!

Scott3

3963 posts

Uber Geek

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#3256132 3-Jul-2024 23:24

JDM cars are extremely common in NZ. There are 77 of them for sale on trademe at the moment.

I can't comment specifically on the Freed, but in general in NZ there is widespread support for JDM vehciles, and they (incl many models that have never been sold new in NZ) make up a decent chink of our fleet.

Of course the odds of glass etc being in stock if you break a window etc is higher if you have a more common car, but I won't expect any issue sourcing parts for a Freed.

One thing to be aware off, is many cars in Japan with turn key start do not have an immobiliser, which means models like the aqua have become very popular with thieves. Doesn't generally impact push button start cars (except the aqua which is so popular with theives that insurance claims from people breaking the window before checking to see if it is a push button start.

Note also immobilizers can be retrofitted.

There are a whole bunch of regulations to comply with, but I don't expect a 2017 car would have any issue.

Cars need to be super clean to avoid getting stung an expensive clean by biosecurity NZ.

Depending on a bunch of things you may need to pay GST, could be worth looking it up.

Generally JDM cars do not have the option to change displays to English (some models like the leaf have people who will convert them for a fee). JDM radio head units don't pick up many NZ radio stations, but this can be fixed with a band expander (or ideally a head unit swap if it is not integrated into other functions in the car.

lxsw20

3552 posts

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#3256135 4-Jul-2024 00:00

Looks like the Freed is just a Jazz in drag, so common service items will be very easy to come by.

Goosey

2829 posts

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#3256140 4-Jul-2024 06:43

Just remember, cleaning refers to not just the body work. It’s inside up and under the car….

NZ doesn’t want to import grime and dirt. You might just need to budget for a bio security nz cleaning fee….

yad be amazed where spiders, dirt and other organisms live under and up and inside the car.

Goosey

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#3256141 4-Jul-2024 06:45

I’d be googling what the market price for a similar age etc jazz is here in nz..

you might find it might be more efficient to sell your car in Japan rather than import it here, get it past compliance, rego and warrant fees vs buying the same similar locally…

Scott3

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#3256180 4-Jul-2024 09:37

Goosey:

I’d be googling what the market price for a similar age etc jazz is here in nz..

you might find it might be more efficient to sell your car in Japan rather than import it here, get it past compliance, rego and warrant fees vs buying the same similar locally…

Should note the freed is a small MPV with sliding rear doors & 3 rows, so in a different segment to the 2 row jazz.

Based on trade me, dealers are importing these, so there must be some margin in it, which OP could save by bringing it in themselves. But usually the margin is fairly thin (and could well be less than the cost of renting a car, while OP's car is in transit to NZ).

Also there is an element of risk in importing. I know of one example where a car imported from the UK failed the entry inspection due to silt under the wheel arch lines indicating flood damage. And there is the odd vehicle (not imported as an immigrant vehicle which can be exempt in some circumstances) that is imported to NZ, but can't be registered due to not complying with the below. Basically no option but to have it as a off road only vehicle (farm or similar), or export it to the pacific islands.

https://www.nzta.govt.nz/vehicles/importing-a-vehicle/2-complying-with-vehicle-standards-and-providing-evidence/immigrants-vehicles/

If OP qualifies to bring the car in without paying GST there can be some bigger savings (but still we are talking about a relatively low value car if the cost of a rental car needs to be covered):

https://www.customs.govt.nz/personal/move-to-nz-permanently/

richms

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#3256193 4-Jul-2024 10:52

IME not worth it unless it is an interesting vehicle. You will have higher import costs than a dealer doing bulk lots of them as they have the scale and experience to get things thru.

A friend bought over a fancy model nissan Z something back before there was the ute tax on fun cars, and there were additional costs piling up all over the place because it was being stored somewhere for some time because he had not done the processes correctly.

This car is nothing special.

Richard rich.ms

GV27

5896 posts

Uber Geek

#3256196 4-Jul-2024 11:02

Also be prepared for your car to be pulled apart at inspection which can introduce issues; little things like trim items not fitting properly, both inside and out.

I would strongly consider just buying something locally if this isn't a classic or collectable, generally not worth the hassle, and the entry inspection is much strictier than a regular WOF so minor things like small cracks in plastic hoses will get picked up and need to be remedied.

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rickj

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#3256263 4-Jul-2024 15:03

Wow - did not expect this volume or depth of replies. Even if I don't respond to specific points, I've noted them all. Thanks everyone, it really helps.

Adding info I didn't think to include/didn't yet know first time around:

We won't need to rent a car while we wait for the shipment – I can car sit one for a friend. So no cost to offset there.
I've heard back from a few Honda stores in NZ and they said service will be no problem, some parts are interchangeable with locally-sold models, and some parts (especially major like full panel replacements) will need to come from Japan (2-8wk)
It looks like the Honda Odyssey is basically a bigger brother of the Freed and until very recently WAS sold by Honda in NZ. So that's probably our option if we don't ship the current vehicle, especially since there aren't as many Freeds being sold 2nd hand.
It's a push button start so no worries with insurance.

The point about inspection actually causing issues is very helpful insight that the export agent here hadn't mentioned.

If OP qualifies to bring the car in without paying GST

Unless I'm missing something, the link provided says simply that "cars" cannot be given a concession to avoid GST?

Plenty to think about. Might go have a look at some Odysseys here. Thanks again

Senecio

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#3256274 4-Jul-2024 15:55

I brought my car with me when I emeigrated 7 yrs ago. GST is only payable if you sell the car within 2yrs of it being complied and registered in New Zealand. So you need to be prepared to hang onto it for at least that long.

elpenguino

3419 posts

Uber Geek

#3256288 4-Jul-2024 17:13

Were you planning to also bring back a container load of stuff? If you're shipping a container anyway, can you stuff your car full of possessions in the container? In effect that will make shipping the car cheaper.

Most of the posters in this thread are just like chimpanzees on MDMA, full of feelings of bonhomie, joy, and optimism. Fred99 8/4/21

rickj

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#3256318 4-Jul-2024 19:05

GST is only payable if you sell the car within 2yrs of it being complied and registered in New Zealand.

Very useful info, thanks!

can you stuff your car full of possessions in the container?

That was 100% my original plan, but the import regulations are WAY too strict

Scott3

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#3256353 4-Jul-2024 20:12

I think the concerns about the vehicle being damaged during inspection are overblown. Just shy of half our vehicle registrations each year are used imports that go through the same inspection...

rickj:

Unless I'm missing something, the link provided says simply that "cars" cannot be given a concession to avoid GST?

Plenty to think about. Might go have a look at some Odysseys here. Thanks again

They don't qualify as household items.

Click the Vehicle, Vessels and Aircraft sub link, to read their specific rules (I find it really confusing)

But this link is a bit clearer:

www.beehive.govt.nz/release/tax-break-kiwis-coming-home

kotuku4

483 posts

Ultimate Geek

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#3256357 4-Jul-2024 20:16

There are lots on trade me, mostly over 100000km, a couple around 50000km for $12k.

Handle9

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#3256467 5-Jul-2024 00:45

Scott3:

I think the concerns about the vehicle being damaged during inspection are overblown. Just shy of half our vehicle registrations each year are used imports that go through the same inspection...

rickj:

Unless I'm missing something, the link provided says simply that "cars" cannot be given a concession to avoid GST?

Plenty to think about. Might go have a look at some Odysseys here. Thanks again

They don't qualify as household items.

Click the Vehicle, Vessels and Aircraft sub link, to read their specific rules (I find it really confusing)

But this link is a bit clearer:

www.beehive.govt.nz/release/tax-break-kiwis-coming-home

It's pretty straightforward. If you meet all the criteria below you don't pay duty or GST. You will still have to pay compliance though.

Reference 80(c) – Motor vehicles

This includes but is not limited to: motor vehicles, motorcycles, motor scooters, motorhomes, moped scooters, campervans, quad bikes.

Motor vehicles (including motorcycles) that are imported by a person who —

(i) has arrived or will arrive in New Zealand and, on the date the motor vehicle is imported, holds a document authorising residence in New Zealand; and

(ii) has or will have resided or been domiciled outside New Zealand for more than the 21 month period preceding his or her arrival; and

(iii) has personally owned and used the motor vehicle overseas for at least 1 year before the earlier of the following:

(a) the date of the person’s departure for New Zealand

(b) the date on which the motor vehicle is surrendered for shipping; and

(iv) gives a concession reference 80c undertaking.

NOTE: Regardless of the value of the motor vehicle, it must be entered on a standard import entry with your Customs Number and applicable tariff item.

rickj

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#3256594 5-Jul-2024 12:54

Thanks to all for clarifying the GST rules! Very clear now.

There are lots on trade me

Thanks for checking. There's a few doz yeah, but if you go 2017 or newer it drops to 7 nationwide, and given there are a ton of different configs, the chance of finding what we have now is pretty slim :/