Looking for an Import Agent (EU to NZ)

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Looking for an Import Agent (EU to NZ)

PetAT

260 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 11

#324889 8-Jun-2026 16:45

Alright, now over the past months I have read much about importing cars into NZ, The best part being if they are 20 years + older (classics) then things become much much more easier.

If you are from NZ and returning home, then you get returning residents cars exception permit, if they are LHD, this is also waved from my understanding, as long as you owned it for a year you are fine. So essentially, other than having RHD headlights, a 3rd brake light and avoiding bringing your car in the brown stinky bug season (yes really) which is around September 1st till May 1st. Its very doable.

I think I got most of it figured out and right now I am in the market for an agent or someone who has more experience that could give me some feedback, incase I need any special permits.

If you or someone you know, knows an experienced importer or agent

PatClay

5 posts

Wannabe Geek
+1 received by user: 5

#3501362 8-Jun-2026 18:42

When we bought our car back it came in the same container with our household effects and the moving company dealt with customs clearance etc (badly but that is another story). I then replaced the headlights & drove it round to VTNZ & they did the compliance and off we went - very DIYable.

When we have shipped other items (not cars) have always had the shipping company quote me delivered to me in NZ (saves surprised) & then I know I just have to pay the GST & a few other minor costs.

Mainfreight has always been good for me.

One thing you will probably need is a valuation, because if we sold it within 3(?) years we would be liable for GST on the value at the time of importation. Local dealer was happy to provide a number on a letter & keep customs happy.

It might be easier to find your headlights in Brexit land than here too.

PetAT

260 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 11

#3501363 8-Jun-2026 18:48

Superb! Someone with some import experience! Yea I got the headlights from UK, they are on their way, may take a bit longer than expected. Mind if I message you down the line for some info?

I thought about bringing it with the container, issue is the brown stinky bug season, meaning when the car arrives, they will have to put it through a oven for a longer time which will cause wiring and interior degradation, specially them being classics, I am trying to avoid that. So I have to bring them separately sometime from May 1st - End of August 2027.

PatClay

5 posts

Wannabe Geek
+1 received by user: 5

#3501382 8-Jun-2026 20:14

Feel free to message me, though it was a while ago (~15 years) that we brought the car in, so stuff might have changed. Brought a couple of small shipments in for my business though.

Bummer about stinkbugs!

sen8or

2034 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 1531

#3501416 9-Jun-2026 08:00

We use champion freight as our importer for caravans and motorhomes ex UK and Australia, unsure if they are set up for residential / domestic one off jobs, but their system is good and they seem efficient.

Geektastic

18033 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 8497

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#3506414 26-Jun-2026 21:56

Interesting thread.

I’m considering ordering a new BMW motorcycle, collecting it in Germany and touring Europe and the UK for a while before dropping the bike off for shipping and flying home.

This was quite common amongst UK riders but of course much easier as there’s no bio security between the UK and Europe, not even for rabies any longer.

PatClay

5 posts

Wannabe Geek
+1 received by user: 5

#3506456 27-Jun-2026 09:00

I would check with BMW if this is something they offer officially, I know Porsche used to (& may still). If you rock into a showroom in Germany, you will pay 19% VAT, I don't think you can claim it back as an individual when you export the bike, & then when it arrives in NZ, you will be liable for 15% GST. I think the factory delivery deals got around the German VAT.

But 19% may be worth paying for the holiday anyway.

I expect that bringing a model of motorbike in that is sold here would be trivial, no left/right hand drive issues to deal with.