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Thread ID: 80269 2007-06-17 08:51:00 importing a car newbee (10498) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
560079 2007-06-17 08:51:00 Has any one out there imported a car themselves and if so is there
anything i should be aware of any web sites i should have a look at
are there any pro,s to importing a car my self
newbee (10498)
560080 2007-06-17 09:23:00 Check with customs. I am not sure what cost benefits you will get from importing since you will still have to pay the import duties on a new car unless you by it overseas, register it then ship it back as a "2nd hand" car. winmacguy (3367)
560081 2007-06-17 12:04:00 Depends on what you want to buy and where you buy it- if it is a Japanese used car, you really need a reliable Agent in Japan to buy it on your behalf- there are one hell of a lot of traps for the unwary - To start with private buyers pay considerably more for sea-freight than dealers, you also have all the problems of obtaining compliance before you register it- It can be q worthwhile exercise if you know what you are doing, and there is a potential to save thousands on the dealer price of a Japanese import. Go speak to Customs first.
If you give us a few more details maybe we can give you a bit of a steer in the right direction.
KenESmith (6287)
560082 2007-06-17 12:30:00 Yes make sure it complies with NZ WOF standards. There are things in NZ that they don't have to have oversea's in a car. I remember a couple of years ago a women imported a van without finding all the facts on complience etc. and I think from memory she imported it without airbags and I think the law states that all vans and cars newer than 1996 have to have airbags, hers was a 1998 and she wasn't able to use it. The cost to put them in was prohibited.

Trevor :)
Trev (427)
560083 2007-06-17 17:07:00 The cost to put them in was prohibited.

The cost to put them in was officially forbiden?

:P Sorry, I'm tired and picky right now...exams do things to your brain.
Faded_Mantis (79)
560084 2007-06-17 21:17:00 I think that left driven cars (American) have to be converted to right as well. You can't import american cars without changing them over. (So I believe) netchicken (4843)
560085 2007-06-18 04:47:00 I think that left driven cars (American) have to be converted to right as well. You can't import american cars without changing them over. (So I believe)

I was driving next to a guy in a (very American) left hand drive car the other day :p

I don't know if it was legal or not though....
george12 (7)
560086 2007-06-18 05:16:00 We have right side drive cars here in the US . . and as tough as it is to import anything because of the EPA and DOT, they are here in droves .

Also, our mail delivery vehicles are all right handed drive too .

I would think a US car would be more than welcome in NZ . . we have seriously stricter standards than almost anyplace in the world .

I think the magic mileage is 20,000, and any car with that much use is considered used enough to import . . we have a term for it here: "Grey market", and they can have cars from Germany imported that way all the time .

All our vehicles have an EPA sticker on the door or door pillar . It states the area of compliance . . ie: smog, safety equipment, tires, engine specs . . . . etc, and we allow vehicles with lower standards if the are compliant in most other areas .

It's a model by model situation though . Grey market cars get a grey sticker . . . . and that makes sense . It's that or a "greenie" for off-road use only .

Some cannot be imported . I think the Lada is one as are a few other Russian cars .
SurferJoe46 (51)
560087 2007-06-18 05:19:00 I suspect you will find it cheaper to go to a car dealer and buy a car. The big advantage of that way is that will get a car, with some protection against its being a lemon.

Unless you go overseas and kick the tyres yourself how are you to know that you are getting a good one?
Graham L (2)
560088 2007-06-18 05:51:00 Importing LHD vehicles: www.landtransport.govt.nz

Importing vehicles generally: www.ltsa.govt.nz
Mackin_NZ (6958)
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