Importing a VW Camper van into NZ from UK catch 22
 

Hi,I am trying to import our VW camper into NZ. (ie a modified/converted vehicle} does anyone have any experience of this ? (not gereral cars, etc. , but modified/camper conversions, thanks} I keep going round in circles. VTNZ want certs that only exist in NZ and dont except standards that are fine for strict vehicle standard countries such as Germany and the EU.
Our shipper obviously knew nothing/very little, of what was required and only passed on individual details from VTNZ without understanding , eg we spent 2 weeks trying to work out what an EU plate was, only to find out that it is not required on conversions, ie retofits. and only applys to built from scratch vehicles. She then gave up "trying to help" and gave me VTNZs direct email and left me to it...
They are now wanting "2nd stage manufacture decal" info, or low volume certification. I have harrassed the campervan supplier and fitter so much I am lothed to go back to them again. As far as i can understand these are not certftificates or plates that are used or required on EU vehicles...
What would be great woould be an EU based certifier for theNZ gov that can give the all clear prior to shipping. but no, this is not possible....
My main fear is shipping our lovely camper all the way to NZ only to be told "DOES NOT COMPLY" and we are unable to sell it without shipping it back to Europe.

Any tips stories advice would be greatly appreciated , (modified veicles / campervans specifically thanks}

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Re: Importing a VW Camper van into NZ from UK catch 22
 

A friend of mine imported an old 1979 VW Kombi camper nearly 2 years ago. I don't think he had too much trouble with that specific import ? although it did need some work to pass compliance - something to do with a front panel maybe.....can't remember ? He never had the work done and as of last week it was up for sale for $32000 ono as he decided he wasn't gonna get the use out of it even though it was his pride and joy.
He did have major issues with the import of a 2007 Mitsi Triton ute at the same time which cost him several thousand dollars in repair fees to get it through compliance..

Re: Importing a VW Camper van into NZ from UK catch 22
 

Thanks Escapedtonz, that is slightly reassuring.
I am still troubled by how basically unhelpful ViNZ and VTNZ are .. anyway, will keep trying, have now been passed on a list of LVVTA members to contact !

Re: Importing a VW Camper van into NZ from UK catch 22
 

Re: Importing a VW Camper van into NZ from UK catch 22
 

Hi ThePineMarten,
It’s been a while since your original thread but we’re finding ourselves in a similar position to you - looking to bring our VW Camper along with us to NZ and finding it hard to get definitive advice. Do you mind me asking how you got on in the end? For reference, our camper is a 2011 Brazilian-built Danbury conversion T2. Looks like the pop top roof, modified suspension and seatbelt anchorages could be issues for starters...
Many thanks for any advice. Best wishes,

Re: Importing a VW Camper van into NZ from UK catch 22
 

As Danbury are a known converter, I assume that this was a new van when converted?
If so, it should have all the plates relating to the conversion such as the kerb weight, maximum vehicle weight and maximum train weight and other Euro gubbins that out Hymer had.
I think the issues above are where a used van was converted as a bespoke job, not a standard conversion.
This is where the extra certification would come in.

We no longer have the Hymer, but when we checked and sent pictures of the plates (stickers really) we were told that we should be fine.

Re: Importing a VW Camper van into NZ from UK catch 22
 

Hi Little Grey Cat, thanks for sharing your experience. I’m not sure Danbury have quite the same status as Hymer in the eyes of the NZ authorities. This is the reply I got from one of the specialist Motorhome importing agents in NZ:

”The only previous occasion where we have had any involvement with a VW was a new Danbury conversion and whilst it had its own certification which satisfied UK authorities, it wasn’t something that would have passed here. It had significant changes from the original manufacture such as altered suspension and seat belt anchorages from memory, and Danbury are not a recognised Stage 2 builder as far as EU standards go and are unable to issue their own certification. I think it had something like an Individual Vehicle Assessment certificate issued by DVLA rather than a Certificate of Conformity.”

Not definitive by any means but their opinion was that it certainly wasn’t going to be straightforward - and maybe not even possible at all. Regards

Re: Importing a VW Camper van into NZ from UK catch 22
 

Quick question.
Campers are supposed to be self contained (capture all their waste).
In the UK some have grey water tanks and others have external pipes which go into a grey water container which you can wheel away to empty.
Are both options OK in NZ?