Evidence you must collect
Europe has two vehicle standards regimes:
- the Regulations of the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN/ECE)
- the Directives of the Commission of the European Communities (EC, or formerly EEC).
Evidence that your vehicle complies with either of the standards may be acceptable for New Zealand requirements.
You must collect the following documents:
- Proof of ownership - registration, deregistration or change of ownership papers plus an invoice, bill of sale or receipt, etc.
- Emissions standards - a suitable European Community (EC) whole vehicle approval plate/sticker, a suitable UN/ECE approval plate/sticker, a certificate of conformity or statement of compliance that includes an approved emission standard.
- Frontal impact standards - it appears on our list of compliant vehicles, a suitable European Community (EC) whole vehicle approval plate/sticker, a suitable UN/ECE Approval plate/sticker or statement of compliance.
- Fuel consumption - fuel consumption certificate.
- Heavy-vehicle brakes standards.
- Overall standards - a suitable EC whole vehicle approval plate/sticker, a suitable UN/ECE Approval plate/sticker or statement of compliance.
Proof of ownership
You need to provide evidence that you're legally entitled to your vehicle. This includes:
- the original documents that prove previous registration and provide an ownership trail that goes back to the last registered owner in the country where the vehicle was last registered, and
- certified English translations of all documents not in English (bills of sale, purchase receipts etc).
Evidence of compliance with emission standards
For both used and parallel-imported new vehicles, acceptable proof your vehicle meets New Zealand requirements can be:
- a suitable European Community (EC) whole vehicle approval plate/sticker
- a suitable UN/ECE approval plate/sticker
- a certificate of conformity or statement of compliance that includes an approved emission standard.
Determining Emissions Level from EC Directives (for light vehicles)
The following is a list of EC/EEC directives for vehicle exhaust emissions and the 'Euro' emissions level corresponding to each directive.
| 70/220/EEC | Euro 0 unless accompanied by one of the appropriate directives for Euro 1, Euro 2, Euro 3 or Euro 4. |
| 91/441/EEC | Euro 1 |
| 93/59/EEC | |
| 94/12/EC | Euro 2 |
| 96/44/EC | |
| 96/69/EC | |
| 98/69A/EC | Euro 3 |
| 98/77A/EC | |
| 1999/102A/EC | |
| 2001/1A/EC | |
| 2001/100A/EC | |
| 2002/80A/EC | |
| 2003/76A/EC | |
| 2006/96A/EC | |
| 98/69/EC | Indeterminate - The default emissions level is Euro 3 unless otherwise indicated on compliance documentation |
| 98/77/EC | |
| 1999/102/EC | |
| 2001/1/EC | |
| 2001/100/EC | |
| 2002/80/EC | |
| 2003/76/EC | |
| 2006/96/EC | |
| 98/69B/EC | Euro 4 |
| 98/77B/EC | |
| 1999/102B/EC | |
| 2001/1B/EC | |
| 2001/100B/EC | |
| 2002/80B/EC | |
| 2003/76B/EC | |
| 2006/96B/EC |
If a directive is not listed on the above table, and the first number is a '7' or an '8,' the emissions level is Euro 0.
Determining Emissions Level from UN/ECE regulations for light vehicles
The following is a list of UN/ECE regulations for vehicle exhaust emissions and the 'Euro' emissions level corresponding to each regulation.
| UN/ECE Regulation 83.02 | Euro 1 |
| UN/ECE Regulation 83.03 | Euro 2 (Passenger Cars only); Euro 1 (Light Commercial Vehicles only) |
| UN/ECE Regulation 83.04 | Euro 2 |
| UN/ECE Regulation 83.05 | Indeterminate - The default emissions level is Euro 3 unless otherwise indicated on compliance documentation |
The regulation name can be listed either independently or within a UN/ECE system approval number.
Evidence of compliance with frontal impact standards
For cars (Class MA)
You may be able to prove your car complies using our frontal impact lists. These lists cover vehicles manufactured during 1994-1996 when frontal impact standards were being developed. They therefore apply mainly to used imports. If the list says your vehicle does not meet a frontal impact standard, then you cannot bring it into New Zealand.
Your vehicle isn't listed? Your vehicle will most likely have an EC whole vehicle approval plate/sticker affixed to it, which you may be able to use to show that it complies with almost all of New Zealand's vehicle requirements. You can only use it as evidence if it includes the EC directive '2001/116'.
You may not have to prove your vehicle complies with frontal impact standards if:
- it is more than 20 years old
- it is a 'special interest' vehicle
- you're emigrating or returning to New Zealand and seeking to take your vehicle with you.
Find out more about these exceptions.
For 4x4, SUV and forward-control vans (Classes MB and MC)
If your Class MB or Class MC vehicle was manufactured after 1 October 2003, it must meet a frontal impact standard. The exception is if you're emigrating to New Zealand and seeking to bring your vehicle with you. Find out more about this exception.
Your vehicle will most likely have an EC whole vehicle approval plate or sticker affixed to it, which you may be able to use to show that it complies with almost all of New Zealand's vehicle requirements. You can only use it as evidence if it includes the EC directive '2001/116'.
Before you import a European vehicle
We recommend that you talk with an entry certifier to determine whether the EC or UN/ECE plate on your vehicle is acceptable.
You don't have an acceptable EC or UN/ECE plate? You'll need to get a statement of compliance as evidence.
Evidence of compliance with fuel consumption information requirements
You can use our online tool to provide the fuel consumption compliance information. You simply need to enter the vehicle data off the EC or UN/ECE whole vehicle approval plate or the certificate of conformity. You'll then receive a fuel consumption certificate, which you take to the entry certifier.
Your fuel consumption certificate says consumption is 'unknown'?
This is still acceptable as compliance evidence - you can provide this to the entry certifier.
Evidence of compliance with heavy-vehicle brakes standards
You must check for compliance with one of the approved brakes standards if you want to import a heavy vehicle of class MD3, MD4, ME, NB or NC, no matter what date the vehicle was manufactured.
See the detailed information about how to prove compliance with an approved brake standard in the following sections of the Vehicle inspection requirements manual. Entry Certification:
- Brakes: 8-1 Service brake and park brake (pages 8-1-3 and 8-1-4) (PDF, 334 KB, 16 pages)
- Technical bulletin 31 - Brakes standard compliance (PDF, 772 KB, 92 pages).
Identifying UN/ECE compliance plates
Identifying the UN/ECE compliance plate - motorcycles.
Identifying the UN/ECE compliance plate - vehicles excluding motorcycles.
Evidence of overall standards compliance
In many cases an EC whole vehicle approval plate/sticker or a suitable UN/ECE Approval plate/sticker affixed to your vehicle is acceptable evidence that your vehicle meets applicable standards in New Zealand. This proves your vehicle met the EC or UN/ECE standards when manufactured.
Before you import a European vehicle, it's wise to talk with an entry certifier to determine whether the EC or UN/ECE whole vehicle approval on your vehicle is acceptable.
No plate or sticker? You'll need to get a statement of compliance as evidence.
Collected all the evidence you need?
You can move onto step three of the importing process - preparing to import.
