The Importance of Complying with MPI Requirements When Importing a Vehicle into New Zealand

As an island, New Zealand has been isolated from certain pests and diseases, and the introduction of foreign species could have a disastrous effect on its ecosystem. This is why the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has put in place a set of strict rules for any import.

Vehicles can be the ideal method to transport unwanted visitors, as not only can they pick up organic debris, soil, leaves, insects, etc…, on the road, but they also offer a variety of places where they can lodge themselves stubbornly, and from where they can only be removed with the most thorough cleaning session.

However, not taking your vehicle through it isn’t an option, as it will be inspected meticulously upon arrival in New Zealand. There have even been cases where heavy machinery was refused loading at the port of origin because of their condition.

Most of the time, your shipping company will handle the inspection on your behalf, and this is what happens:

Your freight forwarder will have arranged a bio-security inspection permit so that your car can be taken to a transitional facility before being Customs-cleared, and it will be checked by an MPI inspector, including its container if it came in one.

If he or she determines that your car is contaminated, it will have to be cleaned at your cost by an MPI-approved cleaning facility – which your shipping company will also arrange. It will then be presented again for inspection before it is released to you.

Cleaning and re-inspection can delay the release of your vehicle to you by 1 to 3 days, and add to the costs, so make sure that your car is clean inside and out before shipping it.

For further information on vehicle shipping, contact us, phone us on +64 9 303 0075, or get a free quote.

Click here to see our reference guide to making car shipping stress free with our tried and tested 1-2-3 step process.