If the vehicle is more than 8 years old, then it can be permitted for import in New Zealand if it is a special purpose vehicle or has been registered in the name of the buyer in Japan. The used Japanese vehicles to be imported in New Zealand are required to be tested by authorized testing stations and must meet the standards of emissions of New Zealand. Inspection: The used Japanese cars have to go through JEVIC and MAF inspections in Japan which are conducted to ensure that the vehicle is free of biosecurity contaminants including pests like Asia gypsy moth or Lymantria dispar.

• Passport (copy)
• Certificate of ownership, registration, or deregistration (original and a certified copy of the document in English)
• Bill of Lading (stating odometer readings at the time of sale and the moment when it was imported in New Zealand)
• Visas or permits (copy, for immigrants)
• Invoices (stating costs of export, freight, and marine insurance)
• Document proving continuous ownership of the vehicle (certificate of insurance or vehicle license)
• Customs Client Code Application of New Zealand

For using the imported Japan used vehicle in New Zealand, the vehicle has to go through the entry certification process.

• The vehicle examined for its conditions and to determine if it meets the standards of safety emissions and frontal impacts.
• After the inspection, it is determined if the vehicle requires any correction or special certification to be able to meet the legal standards of safety.
• Now the vehicle is certified if it meets the standards of safety and emissions.
• The verification of the legal owner of the vehicle is done.

Evidence must be provided that the used Japanese vehicle complies with the legal standards prior to its registration in New Zealand.

Proof of ownership of the vehicle is required for the importer of the vehicle. Documents proving the last registration of the vehicle and the last and current ownership of the vehicle.

• For motorcycles having above 250cc engine, the original certificate of return vehicle inspection is required which is provided by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism of Japan.
• For motorcycles having 125cc to 250cc engines, an original certificate of mini-vehicle notification is required which is provided by the Light Motor Vehicle and Motorcycle Association of Japan.
• For vehicles having below 125cc engine, original notification of dismantlement is required which can be obtained from a city office of Japan.
• For passenger vehicles, the original certificate of export is required stating the model code and Type Designation Number(TDN) of the vehicle or completion inspection certificate. The export certificate is provided by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism of Japan.
• For passenger vehicles that are categorized as mini-vehicles having no more than 660cc engine, the original export certificate is required which is provided by the Light Motor Vehicle Inspection Organization.
• For all other types of vehicles, the original certificate of export provided by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism of Japan or a completion inspection certificate is required.