Temporary Vehicle Import to New Zealand with a Carnet de Passage (CPD) – 2026 Guide
Looking to ship your vehicle into New Zealand using a temporary CPD import to avoid typical import duties? PeachT can help make your international move as easy as possible.
[Published January 25th, 2026]
Complete Carnet de Passage en Douane (CPD) Temporary Import into New Zealand
This guide explains how to temporarily import a vehicle into New Zealand using a Carnet de Passage en Douane (CPD) in 2026. It covers who qualifies, what vehicles are eligible, step-by-step customs and biosecurity requirements, WoF and ACC rules, costs to expect, special cases for race and show vehicles, and how to exit NZ without penalties.
Who is this guide for?
- Tourists bringing their own car, camper, or motorcycle
- Motorsport teams and event participants
- Businesses importing vehicles for exhibitions or short-term use
Looking to tour around New Zealand with your own vehicle? Or perhaps you’re participating in a commercial car exhibition or car race event and want to temporarily import your vehicle to New Zealand?
With a Carnet de Passage en Douane (CPD) you can temporarily import your vehicle in New Zealand for 12 to 18 months without having to pay any typical import duties related to vehicle imports.
Read more for a full guide for the benefits of using a CPD and how the process works. As always, feel free to reach out to us for further information and a free quote.
Table of Contents
CPD Temporary Import to New Zealand: Step-by-Step Process
What is a Carnet de Passage en Douane (CPD), and why does New Zealand require it?
A Carnet de Passage en Douane (CPD) is a temporary import bond that allows you to temporarily import your vehicle into participating countries without paying normal import fees. A CPD requires you to pay a bond deposit in case you fail to re-export your vehicle after the set temporary import window (for NZ, this is 12 months and can be extended to a maximum of 18 months pending assessed circumstances). However, as long as your vehicle leaves the visiting country within the set period, you will get the full refund of the bond (often 15% of value, which can save you thousands in what would be normal import duties). New Zealand requires it as it participates in CPD for both recreational tourists wanting to travel in their own vehicles in New Zealand on vacation, as well as for business-related temporary commercial imports such as for new car expos or race events.
Who qualifies to temporarily import a vehicle into New Zealand using a CPD?
Anyone who is visiting NZ as a tourist, or anyone coming to NZ for a short-term commercial related event or activity (e.g., racing event, new car expo), may qualify for temporary import into NZ using a CPD.
What types of vehicles can be brought in temporarily — and what are the special cases?
All standard passenger vehicles may be brought in temporarily, however they must be able to pass the WoF (Warrant of Fitness) test to ensure they are safe to drive on public roads. There are special cases admitted for racing vehicles (e.g., cars with no headlights or normal doors) and other specialty vehicles (e.g., commercial vehicles, trucks, farm vehicles) as per necessity (e.g., such as expos, race events).
How do I apply for and obtain a CPD carnet in my country of residence?
You should reach out to the applicable governing body for CPD in your home country first (if available; if not you can sometimes reach out to neighboring countries who may be able to assist you). You can check on the official CPD website here and look up your origin country for where to reach out to your local CPD related branch. (https://carnetdepassage.org/)
What paperwork and preparations must be completed before shipping the vehicle?
Before shipping the vehicle, you must make sure that the vehicle is in good condition (checking all parts, ensuring no asbestos, etc.). You must fill out all needed export forms from the origin country and also ensure all proper import customs are processed in NZ. An exporter, importer or customs broker agent can assist you with this. If you have any detailed questions feel free to reach out to us and we’ll provide you with free information and a quote.
How do MPI biosecurity inspections work, and how do I avoid costly cleaning fees?
All incoming vehicles into New Zealand pass through MPI biosecurity inspections due to the strict biosecurity regulations of New Zealand. They take their country’s environment very seriously, and given they are an island country it is vital for them to protect their native species and land.
To avoid costly cleaning fees make sure before shipping that you have cleaned both the inside and outside as thoroughly as possible.
If shipping via container it can be okay to leave some personal effects within the vehicle, but with RoRo shipping most carriers do not allow any personal effects whatsoever.
Please reach out to us if you have more specific questions. A few minutes could save you hundreds in unnecessary additional fees.
What steps are involved in clearing Customs and getting the carnet stamped on arrival?
The steps for clearing customs can vary slightly depending on your country of export, but the overall process in New Zealand is consistent. You will need a valid passport, insurance documents, travel and shipping documents (e.g., flight information, shipping information for your vehicle). Oftentimes it is better to mail your CPD to the NZ import agent prior to arriving in New Zealand so that there are no delays in customs processing, as this can lead to demurrage and extra charges at New Zealand ports as your vehicle may get stuck if there are customs delays.
You can also bring the CPD with you and clear customs manually when you arrive, but be sure that you are arriving with or before your vehicle.
We recommend mailing through reliable mail services beforehand and then you can pick up your CPD after your vehicle is cleared, as you will need your CPD for when you leave New Zealand and return to your country of origin (or next country in your travels).
How do I make my vehicle legal to drive in New Zealand (WoF, ACC, license label)?
In order to make your vehicle legal to drive in New Zealand you need to take your vehicle to a registered vehicle processing center that is licensed to handle WoF (Warrant of Fitness) testing, ACC for accidental insurance coverage, and issuing you a temporary import license label. For CPD temporary vehicle imports into New Zealand you do not need to get a new license plate. They will issue you a temporary sticker you can put in your car.
CPD Import to New Zealand: Costs to Expect
Read below for costs to expect when using a CPD import into New Zealand.
What do I need to do when leaving New Zealand to avoid penalties or forfeiting the carnet deposit?
You need to make sure that before you leave New Zealand that you get your carnet stamped on exit by customs, otherwise you may run into issues with penalties or forfeiting the carnet deposit.
Keep your CPD documents safe, and treat them with the same care you treat your passport.
Failure to obtain an exit stamp can result in forfeiture of the CPD bond, even if the vehicle physically leaves New Zealand.
What costs should I expect throughout the temporary import process?
There are some unavoidable costs. You will need to pay a certain fee for the vehicle processing location in New Zealand. Typical fees for safety inspection as part of WoF testing is around NZD $170-200.
You may also be required to pay a small amount when coming into New Zealand for a new tire duty (~NZD $8/tire) but this should be refundable when you leave New Zealand as it only applies to tires staying in the country.
If your vehicle is marked for needing cleaning by MPI biosecurity, cleaning charges can vary but you can expect to spend anywhere from NZD $150 to $500, and in extreme cases more than this amount.
As written above, a CPD requires you to pay a bond deposit (often 15% of the value of your vehicle) in case you fail to re-export your vehicle after the set temporary import window (for NZ, this is 12 months and can be extended to a maximum of 18 months pending assessed circumstances). However, as long as your vehicle leaves the visiting country within the set period, you will get the full refund of the bond (which can save you thousands in what would be normal import duties).
CPD Import to New Zealand: Race Cars & Special Vehicles
Read below for more regarding race cars and special vehicles using a CPD import into New Zealand.
How are race cars, show vehicles, and business-use vehicles handled differently?
For specialty vehicles (e.g., race cars, show vehicles, business-use vehicles), sometimes a special CPD is required for New Zealand import. In some cases, specialized or event-related vehicles may be issued a different carnet format or handled under specific CPD arrangements depending on the issuing authority and vehicle type. Generally there shouldn’t be any issues as long as the vehicle can pass WoF tests, but there can be exceptions depending on the desired end use (e.g., race cars used for racing events or show vehicles may not need to pass the exact same WoF tests, such as front headlights; however, they may be restricted to not being able to be driven on public roads and may need to be towed or transported to their final destinations in New Zealand).
Please note that this vehicle checking must be done at an NZTA-approved entry certifier (e.g. VTNZ, VINZ, AA), not a standard WoF-only garage.
Because of the unique case-by-case nature, please reach out to us for further information and we can provide a tailored solution to your given situation.
CPD Import to New Zealand: Further Q&A and Mistakes to Avoid
Can I extend my vehicle’s stay beyond 12 months, and how?
In New Zealand, the CPD temporary import lasts for 12 months from date of entry (so if you entered on January 1st of 2026 you would need to have the vehicle leave NZ by December 31st), but you can extend up to 18 months by contacting New Zealand customs in case you need more time.
You may need more time if you are planning to travel and stay in New Zealand longer, or if your vehicle is experiencing issues or has been damaged and needs repair, or other related reasons.
What are the rules around insurance, road use, and driving with overseas plates?
In New Zealand with CPD you can drive with your overseas plates because after inspection and approval they will give you a temporary import sticker to place on your vehicle.
3rd party insurance is not required but is recommended. You will need to pay for ACC which covers general accident insurance in New Zealand. Road use follows the left-side of road driving, and all applicable driving rules in New Zealand. If you are coming from Australia or other left-hand driving countries the rules of road should be very similar.
What are the most common mistakes travelers and importers make — and how can I avoid them?
Travelers can sometimes misplace their CPD which can lead to major penalties or even forfeiting the carnet deposit, which ironically leads to a forfeiting of the reason you would do a CPD import to begin with (i.e., to not pay normal import duties).
Oftentimes travelers will wait until the last minute or drag their feet with either export or import customs — please note that customs often follows a rigid processing timeline and you can almost never speed up the process, no matter how many emails or calls you make.
So when in doubt, reach out early and reach out often.
If you are considering a shipment involving a CPD temporary import into New Zealand (or even another country, such as Australia) please reach out to us.
Even in the early stages, it’s always safer to have more information and be prepared instead of waiting until it’s too late when penalties and delays could occur.
CPD Temporary Import Process Overview (Quick Reference – 2026)
This section provides a high-level overview of the full CPD temporary import process. Each step is explained in more detail further below.
Reach out for more information today
CPD Temporary Import to New Zealand – High-Level Flow
Confirm CPD eligibility
↓
Apply for CPD in home country
↓
Prepare vehicle + documents
↓
Ship vehicle to New Zealand
↓
Customs clearance + CPD stamp
↓
MPI biosecurity inspection
↓
NZ entry certification (WoF + ACC)
↓
Drive legally in New Zealand
↓
Re-export vehicle + exit CPD stamp
Pre-Shipping Checklist (Before the Vehicle Leaves)
Before shipping your vehicle, confirm the following:
☐ CPD issued and valid for New Zealand
☐ Bond/deposit paid to CPD issuing authority
☐ Vehicle registration valid in home country
☐ Vehicle thoroughly cleaned (inside, underside, engine bay, wheel arches)
☐ No soil, plant matter, insects, or organic residue present
☐ No prohibited items inside vehicle (especially for RoRo shipping)
☐ Export paperwork completed in country of origin
☐ Shipping booked (container or RoRo)
☐ NZ customs broker or agent appointed (recommended)
☐ Original CPD ready to courier to NZ agent (if owner not present)
We handle all of this and more for you, ensuring a smooth and streamlined process. Reach out to us today for a quick and free quote.
Arrival in New Zealand – Customs & Biosecurity Flow
Vehicle arrives at NZ port
↓
NZ Customs reviews documents
↓
Original CPD presented
↓
CPD import voucher stamped
↓
MPI biosecurity inspection
↓
✔ Passed → released
✖ Failed → cleaning required (fee applies)
Entry Certification & Legal Road Use (WoF + ACC)
Entry certification requirements may vary slightly depending on vehicle type and condition.
Vehicle released from port
↓
Visit NZTA-approved entry certifier
(VTNZ / VINZ / AA)
↓
Safety inspection (WoF)
↓
ACC levy paid
↓
Temporary license label issued
↓
Vehicle legal to drive on NZ roads
Leaving New Zealand – Export & CPD Discharge
Prepare vehicle for export
↓
Book outbound shipping
↓
Present vehicle + CPD to NZ Customs
↓
Exit voucher stamped
↓
Vehicle departs NZ
↓
CPD returned to issuing authority
↓
Bond/deposit refunded
Failure to obtain an exit stamp can result in forfeiture of the CPD bond, even if the vehicle physically leaves New Zealand.
We recently helped an individual using a CPD to temporarily import their vehicle into New Zealand — no matter what your situation is, we are here to listen and help.
Feel free to reach out for more information and a free quote today.
Further Reading and Reference
Please check out the following links for additional information, and don’t be afraid to get in touch with PeachT at any time for professional guidance and support with any queries you may have.
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