Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Land Transport Act 1998

Miscellaneous provisions

213: Customs control over imported vehicles

You could also call this:

“Customs keeps imported vehicles until they meet New Zealand's rules”

When you bring a motor vehicle into New Zealand, it might need to meet certain rules. If there are rules for imported vehicles, Customs will keep control of your vehicle until it meets these rules. This means you can’t take your vehicle away until it follows all the requirements.

While Customs is looking after your vehicle, you have to pay for any costs or fees. This is your responsibility as the person who brought the vehicle into the country.

It’s important to know that these rules don’t include some specific regulations mentioned in other parts of the law. These are the regulations made under section 167B or 167C.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM435649.

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Part 15 Miscellaneous provisions

213Customs control over imported vehicles

  1. If a regulation or rule specifies requirements for motor vehicles imported into New Zealand, a motor vehicle imported into New Zealand must remain subject to the control of Customs until those requirements are complied with.

  2. The importer is liable for any fees and charges payable in respect of a motor vehicle while it is subject to the control of Customs for the purposes of this section.

  3. In subsection (1), regulation does not include a regulation made under section 167B or 167C.

Notes
  • Section 213(3): inserted, on , by section 12 of the Land Transport (Clean Vehicles) Amendment Act 2022 (2022 No 2).