macslass

we've had a quote to ship our house for a 20ft container. There are 6 of us and we currently can't all fit in our UK 5 seater but have been sticking our heads in the sand as we're moving over.

So hubby has been looking at cars in NZ to buy but one of our options would possibly be to buy in the UK and ship over as it could be cheaper. Can anyone advise how much it would be to ship a car and also what tax/duty implications there may be in NZ if the UK car is only about 6 months old.

Also the car he's considering is a Nissan Qashqai+2 which is I think quite new to the UK. In NZ we can only find the 5 seat version of the Qashqai so would that cause us parts issues? Also insuring a UK car in NZ - would that cause any complications especially if that model wasn't available in the UK?

Thanks in advance

Stormer999

What will you do whilst your car is still at sea for 3-4 months?

macslass

Hire but we'd have to factor that into the cost comparison

welshrgeordie

are you not supposed to have owned the car you take over for a minimum of 12 months before you go ??? I thought this was the case ??

mickey_d

You have to have owned/used it for 12 months to avoid GST. (15% tax)

MrsFychan

we have been told that anything "new", under 12mths you may get charged duty on. We bought our Zafira over as only added about 500hundred to the quote and with insurance company was just under 100 hundred to insure. Why not look at bringing it over, selling it here then you have time to look around and a bit of cash.

macslass

Thanks for your help on this one. We're driving a company car so that's going back but the 15% tax kills it off really. Husband seems keen on a Ford Territory in NZ - any thoughts or is there are better/other 7 seaters we should be considering. Top budget about $55K.

Si19761

Have a look at the late model Toyta Highlander (new shape) or the Hyundai Santa Fe is another worth a look....

johnht

If you import it as part of your personal possessions i.e. not paying any tax on it, then as well as having owned it for 12 months before, you need to keep it for 24 months in NZ before selling - or you get to pay the tax. You have to sign a 'deed of undertaking' (if I remember its name correctly) that you will not sell for 24 months and the deed states the amount of tax you will be liable to pay if you do sell.
john.

simonsi

Another implication is the emissions and crash safety regs, which your proposed car may or may not be certified acceptably to NZ.

If you have owned the vehicle for 12mths prior to shipping then you can also get an exemption if needed on the emissions standard.

Check it out first, if your car can't pass compliance then it can't ever be registered on NZ roads.

Insurance - get an online quote from the NZ AA prior to doing anything, that will tell you if there is a problem with the version you intend to import.

Shipping a bare car costs about 1500GBP last time I looked....in a container about 2000GBP.

A 20ft container won't hold much more than the car....if you want to use the space above the car then you will need to buy a platform kit to be fitted in the container.

simonsi

No "may" its a dead cert. This is customs we are talking about, firm rules firmly applied.

welshrgeordie

Does any one know the rules for bringing a car in for returning kiwi's ? is it the same as those who are entering under PR ?

derab

come here and pick up a Jap Import 2004 Odyssey 7/8 seater for approx $15,000 and keep the $40,000 as fighting funds when you arrive. a $55,000 new car will lose $15,000 as soon as it leaves the forecourt.

simonsi

I >think< so but the NZ Customs site will confirm for you.

Justcol

If you bought a new car in the uk specifically to export could you not claim the vat back on it saving yourself 20%