Importing Special Interest Vehicles

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exador

95 posts

Master Geek

#306810 23-Aug-2023 13:42

Hi, does anyone have recent experience doing this?

I’m thinking of importing a 70’s Triumph TR6 from the UK which *SHOULD* fall under the special vehicle requirements:

- The vehicle (or its make, model and submodel) is identified as being a collector's item.

- Fewer than 20,000 units of the vehicle’s make and model have been (or were) manufactured annually.

- The vehicle is, and was manufactured as, a two-door coupe or a convertible.

I understand there’s also a yearly limit (500) to how many cars can be imported?

Cheers,

Wheelbarrow01

1723 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Chorus

#3119542 23-Aug-2023 21:04

A 1970's Triumph would not fall under the definition of a Special Interest Vehicle. SIV's are all less than 20 years old at the time of import. More info on SIV's here: https://www.mmnz.biz/whats-special-interest-vehicle-import-one-new-zealand#:~:text=Practically%20speaking%2C%20Special%20Interest%20Vehicles,driven%20on%20New%20Zealand%20roads.

There are generally no restrictions or limits on importing any vehicle more than 20 years old. All that is required is that they adhere to various standards depending on the age and that it can pass a border inspection for pests and structural defects. For the record there are very few standards that need to be met for a 50 year old car.

Refer to Class MA requirements here: https://www.nzta.govt.nz/vehicles/vehicle-types/cars-and-passenger-vehicles/

If you were looking at importing a car less than 20 years old that doesn't meet NZ's emission, frontal impact or RHD standards, then yes you would likely need a SIV permit.

I'm certainly no expert, but I did look at importing a 1980's Hilux a while ago and I know that I would not have required an SIV permit due to it being over 20 years old.

I'd suggest chatting to an Entry Certifier for more information and advice about any potential pitfalls. There are plenty of cases of people who didn't do their homework, imported a vehicle and then found out for some technical reason that their vehicle can never be registered for use on NZ roads.

exador

95 posts

Master Geek

#3119828 24-Aug-2023 15:38

Thanks for the reply. I contacted VTNZ and they confirmed that cars over 20 years old don't have any special import requirements.

The NZ Transport Agency website isn't that clear!

So that means early AP1 Honda S2000s may be in the mix... 🤔

mudguard

2114 posts

Uber Geek

#3119846 24-Aug-2023 16:34

exador:

So that means early AP1 Honda S2000s may be in the mix... 🤔

Ooh that's music to my ears. But I think I'd still rather an NZ new one. I think only sold about 70 here.