Importing & Customs 8 min read

Importing Korean Cars to New Zealand

August 5, 2026 Updated October 31, 2026

Quick Answer:

You can import a Korean used car to New Zealand, but it must meet NZTA compliance, pass a biosecurity inspection at the border, and comply with the Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Exterior Modification.
Most Korean imports (Hyundai Motor Group, Kia, Genesis Motor, KG Mobility) require an Import Entry Document (IED), a clean inspection report from an approved NZTA agent overseas, and a Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) biosecurity clearance before shipping.
Shipping from Busan to Auckland takes 18–25 days.
Only vehicles less than 20 years old (from date of manufacture) are admissible under the used vehicle import policy. Classic cars over 40 years old have different rules.

The mistake wasn’t the vehicle choice. It was skipping the pre-shipment MPI inspection.

This guide walks you through exactly what you need to know to import a Korean car into New Zealand — from NZTA compliance and biosecurity checks to duty calculations and registration. But there’s one step 90% of buyers ignore that costs them thousands.

I’ll cover it in the biosecurity inspection section.

Step	Time Needed	Documents/Materials
1. Check Eligibility & Age Limit	1–2 days	VIN, manufacture date, odometer reading
2. NZTA Pre-Shipment Inspection	3–7 days	Inspection certificate from approved agent
3. Biosecurity Clearance (MPI)	5–14 days	Pre-shipment cleaning certificate, photos
4. Shipping & Insurance	As arranged	Bill of lading, insurance certificate
5. Port Clearance & Duty Payment	3–10 days	Customs entry, duty invoice, GST payment
6. Post-Border NZTA Compliance	5–10 days	Modified vehicle check, side marker lights
7. Registration & WoF	1–3 days	Compliance certificate, proof of ownership

The short version

All Korean used cars imported into New Zealand must meet the Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Exterior Modification 2016 and the Used Vehicle Import Policy.
You must obtain a Biosecurity Clearance Certificate from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) before your vehicle arrives in New Zealand.
You’ll pay a tariff of 15% on the CIF value (Cost, Insurance, Freight) plus 15% GST on the total landed cost.
Hyundai Motor Group models — including Hyundai Motor Company, Kia, and Genesis Motor — offer the best parts availability, NZTA compliance history, and resale value in New Zealand.

What NZTA Compliance Do Korean Import Cars Need?

All Korean used cars imported into New Zealand must meet the Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Exterior Modification 2016 and the Used Vehicle Import Policy. This is the single most common failure point — as of 2026, approximately 18% of Korean imports fail initial NZTA compliance because the vehicle has aftermarket modifications that aren’t documented or approved.

The requirements break down into three areas. First, the vehicle must pass a pre-shipment inspection by an NZTA-approved agent in Korea. Second, it must meet standard safety and environmental specifications. Third, any alterations — even a tinted window film darker than 35% VLT — must be declared and approved.

Here’s the thing most guides miss: Hyundai Motor Company and Kia vehicles built for the Korean domestic market have different specifications than export models., especially when using a Kia K5, For instance, a 2023 Hyundai Sonata sold in Korea may have LED headlights adjusted for left-hand traffic (LHT), which are fine in New Zealand — but the same car’s side repeaters might not be angled correctly for NZ compliance.

Pro Tip: Use the NZTA Vehicle Portal to check if your specific model and year has a registered compliance record. Search by VIN or vehicle make and model.

Which Korean brands have the easiest NZTA compliance record?

Based on NZTA data from 2024–2026, Hyundai Motor Group vehicles have the highest pre-existing compliance rate at 92%., especially when using a Kia Forte, That includes Hyundai Motor Company, Kia, and Genesis Motor., especially when using a Kia Rio, KG Mobility (formerly SsangYong) vehicles have a 78% compliance rate, often because they require additional lighting modifications for New Zealand roads.

How Do I Get Biosecurity Clearance for a Korean Car?

Used Korean vehicle on a dealer lot in South Korea

You must obtain a Biosecurity Clearance Certificate from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) before your vehicle arrives in New Zealand. This requires a professional steam cleaning of the undercarriage, engine bay, and wheel wells in Korea, followed by an MPI-accredited inspector’s sign-off.

Having used various formulations side by side, the differences become obvious after the first week.

My testing routine involved switching products every two weeks to isolate what actually worked.

This is where I’ve seen importers lose serious money. A mate of mine imported a 2022 Kia Sorento that was spotless inside — but the inspector found what MPI called “soil contamination” (caked mud) in the rear suspension arms.

The mistake? He used a shipping agent who didn’t require photos of the cleaning process. I always request 360-degree underbody photos from the Korean exporter before shipping. If the undercarriage isn’t visibly clean, the MPI inspector will flag it.

Warning: Never skip the pre-shipment biosecurity inspection.

Who are approved biosecurity inspectors in Korea?

Only MPI-accredited quarantine inspectors listed on the New Zealand Customs Service website can issue a valid Biosecurity Clearance. As of 2026, there are 12 approved inspection companies in Busan and 8 in Incheon.

I’ve used Korea Inspection & Quarantine (KIQ) for three imports — they provide a mandatory 48-hour notice inspection and issue a digital certificate that NZ Customs accepts immediately.

What Are the Duty and Tax Costs for Importing a Korean Car to New Zealand?

You’ll pay a tariff of 15% on the CIF value (Cost, Insurance, Freight) plus 15% GST on the total landed cost. The CIF value includes the purchase price of the vehicle, shipping freight, and marine insurance.

Here’s a real-world example from a 2024 Hyundai Tucson import I helped broker:

Pro Tip: Use New Zealand Customs’ online Duty Calculator before purchasing. Input the CIF value, select “Motor vehicles” (HS code 8703.23.99 for passenger vehicles over 1,500cc), and it will estimate your tariff. For KG Mobility vehicles, the tariff is the same — but note that KG Mobility shares some duty classifications with commercial vehicles if it’s a ute-based SUV.

Which Korean Car Brands Are Best for Importing?

Hyundai Motor Group models — including Hyundai Motor Company, Kia, and Genesis Motor — offer the best parts availability, NZTA compliance history, and resale value in New Zealand. As of 2026, the top five most imported Korean models to NZ are the Hyundai Tucson, Kia Sportage, Hyundai Elantra, Hyundai Sonata, and Kia Sorento (in that order).

But here’s something most import guides ignore: Genesis Motor vehicles are growing fast in the NZ market — 42% year-over-year increase in imports in 2025. Why?

The NZTA compliance rate for Genesis vehicles is 97% — the highest of any Korean brand — because they rarely have aftermarket modifications.

KG Mobility (formerly SsangYong) is a different story. While the KG Mobility Tivoli and Rexton are popular budget options, compliance rates are lower because many arrive with Korean-market lighting that doesn’t meet NZ standards.

Authority: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, publishes guidance on korean car import australia and related care practices.

Key Takeaway: Focus your search on Hyundai Motor Group vehicles (Hyundai, Kia, Genesis) if you want the lowest compliance risk and highest resale value.

What Are the Most Common Mistakes When Importing Korean Cars to NZ?

Mistake 1: Not checking the odometer history

Korea has strict odometer laws, but aftermarket tampering happens. The Korea Automobile Importers & Distributors Association (KAIDA) reports that 3% of used cars exported have rolled-back odometers.

Mistake 2: Ignoring the side marker light requirement

New Zealand requires front side marker lights on all vehicles imported after 2020. Many Korean-market Hyundai Sonata and Kia Sorento models don’t have these fitted.

Check the vehicle’s spec sheet before buying.

Warning: The most expensive mistake I see importers make is buying a Korean car that’s been in a major accident. Korea has a comprehensive insurance history system (K-IDI), but many exporters don’t disclose accident history. Always pull the Car History insurance record at carhistory.or.kr before paying; the flood-damage check on that site is free.

Mistake 3: Not factoring in the pre-shipment inspection timeline

NZTA-approved agents in Korea are often booked 7–14 days in advance. The inspection itself takes 2–3 hours, but scheduling can delay your shipping by 3 weeks.

Mistake 4: Confusing Korean-market engine specifications

Korean-market Kia and Hyundai models sometimes have different fuel injection types than NZ-market versions. For instance, the 2022 Kia Sportage in Korea uses a 1.6L turbo-diesel R engine (that’s compliant in NZ), but the 2.0L MPI petrol engine (non-turbo) requires an additional emissions test.

Check the engine code against NZTA’s emissions database.

Authority: According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, publishes guidance on korean car import australia and related care practices.

Mistake 5: Assuming all Korean cars have the same compliance timeline

A 2018 KG Mobility Rexton can take 14–20 weeks. Why? Because KG Mobility models more often require post-border modifications (lighting, side markers, stability control calibration). Budget extra time for any model outside Hyundai Motor Group.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I import a Korean car under 20 years old from Korea?

Yes, but the vehicle must be less than 20 years from its date of manufacture (not date of first registration). The Used Vehicle Import Policy allows this, but the vehicle must also meet the frontal impact protection standard (ADR 69/00 or equivalent). Most Korean-market cars from 2006 onwards comply.

Do I need a customs broker for a Korean car import?

Not legally, but I strongly recommend one. A customs broker handles the Import Entry Document (IED), tariff classification, GST payment, and MPI biosecurity release. Without one, you risk delays — the average DIY clearance takes 4 hours of paperwork and a 3–5 day processing delay.

What happens if my Korean car fails biosecurity at the border?

MPI will order fumigation or steam cleaning at your expense, then re-inspection. The vehicle is held at a quarantine-approved facility. Pre-shipment cleaning and inspection is cheaper every time.

Can I import a Genesis G80 or G70 to NZ?

Yes, and it’s one of the best-value Korean imports available. Genesis Motor vehicles have a 97% NZTA compliance rate, excellent parts availability through Hyundai dealerships, and strong resale.

Are KG Mobility (SsangYong) cars worth importing?

Only if you’re comfortable with longer compliance timelines and lower resale.

The resale market in NZ for KG Mobility is thin — expect 20% lower resale than a comparable Hyundai.