Bringing collector car to NZ

[Murdock]

Hello everyone. My wife and I will be moving to NZ at the end of this year. I was hoping I can bring my US left hand drive vehicle with me. It would be considered a collector/rare car according to the NZ transportation authority. Has anyone been able to bring in a vehicle from the sates?

[JandM]

I guess from what you say that you've already been researching the regulations - here's a link, just in case it's helpful. http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/ru...mendment-2010/

I've been doing a search on old threads, and can't find anyone reporting back that they've done this. Anyone?

[Super_BQ]

If the vehicle is over 20 years of age, then generally it's not a problem importing AND being certified for use in NZ roads.

Do search previous threads here as importation of such vehicles is not the problem. It's the process of registration and meeting road compliance that stumps most people. Regardless of age (and the NZTA website makes little mention of what vehicles get rejected during the inspection process), a proper history of the vehicle goes a long way. Previous accidents are a concern (regardless of age) and 'HOW?' were the repairs done? The inspection process is quite thorough and to most high priced collectable cars, it would be too evasive. For eg. inspection of the seat belt anchor points require removal of interior body panels. For classic cars, the process easily ends up with broken clips or more extreme, damaged door covers etc. Rust is also a problem and certifiers don't like to see it, they also don't like to see patch job body work in use of excessive "Bondo" body fillers that hide rust. Apart from the condition of the vehicle, they also don't like to see 'modification' that are not factory optioned. For eg. lowered vehicles and if so, you will need to find an approved garage shop that will inspect and approve such modification (if deem safe on roads). Basically in the area of modifications, certifiers want to see proper paperwork by specialists that say the modifications are safe / DOT approved etc.

[Murdock]

Thank you, Super_BQ. The car is only 5 yrs old and is a factory original Porsche GT car with no accidents. All original. I was told by a worker at NZTA that since my car was made in limited numbers and has a higher value than what it was sold for it would be considered a collector car.

Would be horrible if they needed to take apart the car to verify things. Shouldn't be the case since I can provide US DOT documentation for such a car.

I'll contact NZTA again, but the last I lady I spoke to sounded very confused and told me she was not familiar with my situation. Will post an update. Thank you!

[Murdock]

I also heard I'm allowed to bring one vehicle with me as personal property as a NZ resident. Not sure how this works.

[ChrisMwn]

You will need to check out the left hand drive issue with NZTA and whether you can get "compliance", but from a Customs view, yes, if you are immigrating you can bring a vehicle. for details see http://www.customs.govt.nz/news/reso...Sheet%2029.pdf

[chapwithatui]

You might want to get the collectors car bit in writing before you ship your car. If you have a GT3, they might be made in limited numbers, but Porsche makes a GT3 for each new version of the 911. A Carrera GT, on the other hand is undoubtedly a collectors car, but they are at least 9 years old by now. In any case, why would you want to drive a Porsche in New Zealand in the first place? There are virtually no motorways and the maximum speed is 100km/h. Every now and then the police catch a driver going 160 and it makes the newspapers! There is also a difference in attitudes towards flash cars in NZ relative to the US. New Zealand's founding myth is one of egalitarianism - just like the American Dream, it is not much more than a myth these days - and to a large extent still affects people's views about conspicuous consumption.

Sell the car and buy yourself a fishing boat or a batch instead when you get here, these things are of more use and much more kiwi!

[Super_BQ]

Thank you, Super_BQ. The car is only 5 yrs old and is a factory original Porsche GT car with no accidents. All original. I was told by a worker at NZTA that since my car was made in limited numbers and has a higher value than what it was sold for it would be considered a collector car.

That would depend on a lot of factors on the meaning of 'collector's car' -

"To issue a vehicle with a Category A LHD vehicle permit, the
Transport Agency must either deem it to have historic value, or it
must be a vehicle that was not manufactured in right-hand drive
form that meets three of the following four requirements:
•
•
The vehicle (or its make, model and submodel) is identified
as being a collector’s item in a commercially produced
motoring publication.
The vehicle’s make and model and submodel has been (or
was) manufactured in annual volumes of 20,000 units or
less.
12a
November
2014
ISSN 1172-0689 (print)
ISSN 1172-0778 (online)
• The vehicle is, and was manufactured as, a two-door coupe
or a convertible.
• The vehicle is, and was manufactured as, a
high-performance vehicle.

https://www.nzta.govt.nz/assets/reso...-light-veh.pdf

Above in bold is what I would be concerned about. If the Porsche can be obtained in RHD, then it may not meet the requirement other than the previous requirement being "must either deem it to have historic value"

I also heard I'm allowed to bring one vehicle with me as personal property as a NZ resident. Not sure how this works.

Yes but NZ Customs doesn't care what you bring in as long as you pay the taxes. The issue at hand will be, can you drive it on NZ roads?

I also agree, you will need documentation and publication that would deem the Porsche collectable. Anything can be collectable but you need convincing factors. Like does the vehicle greatly appreciate in value? How many Porsches appreciate in value after 5 years? You need proof and valid appraisals.

[Super_BQ]

Again clarify it with someone at NZTA and not by hear say, or speak to an 'entry advisor'. From how I read it, the 'meeting 3 of the 4' requirements do not apply when a RHD model exists in production.

[mylesdw]

My brother imported a LHD Mercedes a few years ago. It was a lot of work but it was doable.