Taking a Vehicle to Australia or New Zealand: Carnets, Import Approval, Biosecurity and Asbestos

Can I bring my vehicle to Australia as a tourist?

Yes, for up to 12 months without duty or taxes, if the conditions are met. The Australian Border Force says temporary residents can only import a road vehicle for personal use under a carnet de passages, and a carnet vehicle needs no import approval from the Department of Infrastructure. The security is lodged with your carnet issuer before the vehicle arrives. The vehicle must not be sold, lent, hired, given away or altered without permission, and must leave in time, or duty and taxes become payable.

Can I bring my vehicle to New Zealand as a tourist?

Yes. NZ Customs normally allows one year, with a one-off extension if you ask at least a month ahead. With a carnet no security is needed; without one you pay a cash deposit covering the full duty and charges, refunded when the vehicle leaves in time. NZTA needs only a basic safety inspection, not full entry certification, and your overseas registration and plates stay on.

Moving to Australia or importing a classic

It is an offence to import a road vehicle into Australia without an approval, whatever its value, and you should get the approval before shipping: a vehicle that arrives first can face storage charges or be exported or destroyed. Complete applications are generally assessed within 30 working days.

Personal effects (moving)

For migrants and returning Australians who owned and used the vehicle overseas for at least 12 continuous months before arrival. Apply within 6 months of arrival. Fee A$50.

Older vehicles (classics)

Built, or significantly modified, at least 25 years before the application. Fee A$35.

Specialist and enthusiast vehicles

Vehicles on the SEVs Register, modified by a registered workshop

Taxes

GST 10%, and Luxury Car Tax of 33% above A$91,661 (fuel-efficient) or A$80,809 (other) for 2026-27. Customs duty depends on the vehicle's classification and origin.

Moving to New Zealand

New Zealand charges 15% GST on imports. Duty is 0% on cars and motorcycles and 10% on motorhomes and campervans. A Customs concession is available if you hold a residence document and have owned and used the vehicle overseas for at least a year; selling it within 2 years makes the tax payable. Under NZTA's immigrant vehicle rules it can be excepted from some standards if you lived overseas for 21 months or more and do not sell it for a year. Cars over 20 years old do not have to meet the frontal impact standard, and left-hand-drive cars under 20 years old need a special-interest permit.

How clean does the vehicle need to be?

Spotless, inside and out. Both countries inspect vehicles on arrival for soil, plant material, seeds and insects, and you pay for the inspection and any cleaning. In Australia inspection costs A$42 per 15 minutes per officer in 2026-27. In New Zealand a port inspection is NZ$99.60 for a vehicle under 3,500 kg.

• Engine bay, including under-bonnet soundproofing
• Wheel arches, underbody and spare wheel well
• Interior floors, seats, vents, glove box and boot
• Radiator, grille, window ledges and door seals

Brown marmorated stink bug measures apply to vehicles shipped between 1 September and 30 April. The UK is not a target risk country for either, but Australia lists it as an emerging risk, so UK vehicles can be inspected at random. Vehicles from the USA, Canada and most of Europe must be treated. In Australia, RORO ships that have called at risk countries are inspected on arrival.

Asbestos: the rule that stops vehicles at the border

Australia has banned asbestos since 31 December 2003 for every vehicle of any age or value, including those on a carnet, and New Zealand since 1 October 2016. Older vehicles are the highest risk: brake pads and shoes, clutch linings, gaskets, seals, bonnet liners, heater housings and heat shields. A supplier's letter is not enough. Australia prefers suspect parts to be tested or removed before shipping, and you pay for any testing at the border.

How IVSS helps

• RORO and container shipping from the UK and Europe to Australia and New Zealand
• Advice on cleaning and asbestos before your vehicle ships
• Customs clearance through our broker, a local agent we introduce, or your own

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