Import guides / New Zealand
Importing a car from the US to New Zealand
Duty is 10% of the car's price at the US port (FOB), then 15% VAT.
- Shipping from the US
- $1,800 to $3,000
- At sea
- 25 to 45 days
- Arrives at
- The main port
- Sails from
- Los Angeles / Long Beach, CA, Oakland, CA, Seattle / Tacoma, WA
What it costs
A car loaded at the US port for $6,000 (winning bid, auction fees and towing), shipped for $2,400. A 2.0 litre car, five years old.
| Car at the US port | $6,000 |
|---|---|
| Shipping | $2,400 |
| Insurance (1%) | $84 |
| Import duty (10%) | $600 |
| VAT (15%) | $1,363 |
| Landed, before port and clearing fees | $10,447 |
An estimate from published rates. Port charges, the clearing agent and registration come on top; your agent's quote is the final word.
Rules to know
- New Zealand restricts left-hand-drive cars Left-hand-drive cars under 20 years old can't be registered without a special permit (at most 500 a year). US cars are left-hand drive.
Find cars worth importing to New Zealand. Ladar searches US auctions every day, checks each car's photos for damage and works out its cost delivered, before you bid.
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