Importing to New Zealand

Dexman1349 · 05-02-2016, 02:22 PM

Anyone ever import a Camaro to New Zealand? It seems like it's fairly common, but I haven't found any information regarding importing modded cars, specifically aftermarket exhausts & tunes. I have installed long-tube headers, high-flow cats, and a catback exhaust system, as well as a CAI intake and ported throttle body, then had it dyno-tuned accordingly. It meets the local emissions requirements here in Denver, but I don't know how they compare to New Zealand.

I know it will also need a left-hand drive exemption, which seems relatively straight forward for the year/make/model.

Only other thing I know needs to happen is that it will need to be fully detailed to prevent the spread of dust, pollen, and seeds from the US (because they have cooties).

Any insight would be appreciated. Please reply or PM if you prefer.

Dizzy82 · 05-02-2016, 04:39 PM

Why not just contact an agency in charge?

http://www.nzta.govt.nz/contact-us

http://www.nzta.govt.nz/vehicles/war...certification/

Dexman1349 · 05-03-2016, 11:16 AM

I have. They haven't responded.

This is also a concern: http://www.nzta.govt.nz/vehicles/war...-for-exhausts/

Netslave · 05-05-2016, 12:49 AM

Tell them their noise test is BS. Proof you say?

You are welcome.

http://gizmodo.com/5616427/sunchips-...amagingly-loud

Dexman1349 · 05-05-2016, 11:21 AM

lol, that's awesome!

insanity213 · 05-07-2016, 09:16 PM

Bottom line is that you have to convert to right hand drive, which I'm guessing is next to impossible. There are special exemptions but I think the only one we'd ever have a chance at is waiting till the car is 20+ years old.

My wife is a kiwi and I looked into this a few years back when facing a layoff and contemplated moving to NZ.

https://www.nzta.govt.nz/vehicles/im...drive-vehicle/

Dexman1349 · 05-11-2016, 05:19 PM

Yeah, I saw that. However, the Camaro does not have to be converted to RHD. It does meet the Category A requirements.

https://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/factsheets/12/

Here's a dealership that sells them:
http://www.4guys.co.nz/vehicles-coupe.html#/?type=Coupe

I did swap the exhaust back to stock just to be safe, although a decibel reading indicated that the car didn't exceed 90 with the Kooks (but it was really close).

calebdiack · 03-12-2017, 05:32 PM

Hello,
I am looking at importing a Camaro from USA to NZ, How did you get on with the Left Hand Drive permit?

Dexman1349 · 03-12-2017, 05:50 PM

Actually waiting for approval on the permit now. Car has been in NZ since July.

I submitted my first application back in October, but it was rejected because I used the wrong form.
Here is the correct form:
http://vehicleinspection.nzta.govt.n...LHD-permit.pdf

That caused a delay because I realized I needed permanent residency, which I didn't get until January. I resubmitted my application last week.

The "copy of the relevant article" declaring the "vehicle is identified as being a collector’s item in a commercially produced motoring publication" can be found in New Zealand Classic Car magazine, Issue 230, February 2010. I found a copy on Trade Me. If/when NZTA returns my copy, you're welcome to use it.

For the Declaration Witness, you have to go to an Entry Certifier-specific AA or VTNZ facility. You just need the completed forms, no need to bring the car...yet. Bring color photos of all the manufacturer's "plates" on the car, including the EPA plate under the hood and the ones inside the driver's door. I went to this one: https://vtnz.co.nz/branches/avondale/

Once the approval is granted (hopefully soon), Bee will need to be towed to that same certify center where he will sit for a couple of days while they do a full top-down inspection. I was told this even includes a certain level of disassembly (specifically around the brakes, suspension, exhaust, and to check for crash damage/repairs).

calebdiack · 03-23-2017, 11:20 PM

Thanks for that! I have done a search and it appears I can buy that magazine online. Does the article refer to any gen 5 Camaro or just the 2010 model? I am still in the process of finding an SS Camaro to purchase. What proof did you submit for the vehicle must be manufactured as a high performance vehicle?

05-02-2016, 02:22 PM	#1
Dexman1349 2010 2SS/RS M6 Drives: 2010 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Auckland, NZ Posts: 1,482	Importing to New Zealand Anyone ever import a Camaro to New Zealand? It seems like it's fairly common, but I haven't found any information regarding importing modded cars, specifically aftermarket exhausts & tunes. I have installed long-tube headers, high-flow cats, and a catback exhaust system, as well as a CAI intake and ported throttle body, then had it dyno-tuned accordingly. It meets the local emissions requirements here in Denver, but I don't know how they compare to New Zealand. I know it will also need a left-hand drive exemption, which seems relatively straight forward for the year/make/model. Only other thing I know needs to happen is that it will need to be fully detailed to prevent the spread of dust, pollen, and seeds from the US (because they have cooties). Any insight would be appreciated. Please reply or PM if you prefer. __________________ 2/7/2014: 419 hp, 419 tq Cosmetic: ZL1 front w/mailslot, painted stripes, powdercoated SS rims, tow hook, and full chrome delete Suspension: Pfadt subframe bushings, Pfadt rear UCA bushings, Z28 Upper control arms, Spohn trailing arms with BMR trailing arm & differential bushings, ZL1 Toe Rods and springs, Prothane radius arm inserts & steering rack bushing, Pfadt Sport front sway, FE4 conversion w/ DS rear sway, Pfadt strut brace Drivetrain: RMCR tune, CAI intake, Kooks headers, hi-flo cats & exhaust, VMAX TB, ZL1 fuel pump, LSR Tri-Ax shifter Bumblebee Racecar Build

05-02-2016, 04:39 PM	#2
Dizzy82 Drives: 2011 1LT/RS A6 RJT SuperCharged Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: 87114 Posts: 3,503 View My Garage	Why not just contact an agency in charge? http://www.nzta.govt.nz/contact-us http://www.nzta.govt.nz/vehicles/war...certification/ __________________ Power is worthless without control. *The 2nd* protects the 1st.** BMR sub frame brace, BMR tunnel brace, LSR sways, LSR CM ca & tl, Sphon ExD el, GM tower brace, Megan EZ Streets, Goodridge Stainless Steel Braided brake lines, PowerStop D/S rotors & pads, Doug Thorty Ceramic Shorties, Magnaflow x-pipe, MRT V2.0, KICKER PowerStage sub & amp, Infinity speakers & tweeters, Viteese Throttle Controller, Viteese Paddle Shifters, ACS T2 Splitter, ACS T2 Ports/Quad LED lights, VDI kit, Havoc diffuser, IPF ECU/TRANS tuned, IPF/KPE Supercharged. 364RWHP/297RWTQ

05-03-2016, 11:16 AM	#3
Dexman1349 2010 2SS/RS M6 Drives: 2010 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Auckland, NZ Posts: 1,482	I have. They haven't responded. This is also a concern: http://www.nzta.govt.nz/vehicles/war...-for-exhausts/ __________________ 2/7/2014: 419 hp, 419 tq Cosmetic: ZL1 front w/mailslot, painted stripes, powdercoated SS rims, tow hook, and full chrome delete Suspension: Pfadt subframe bushings, Pfadt rear UCA bushings, Z28 Upper control arms, Spohn trailing arms with BMR trailing arm & differential bushings, ZL1 Toe Rods and springs, Prothane radius arm inserts & steering rack bushing, Pfadt Sport front sway, FE4 conversion w/ DS rear sway, Pfadt strut brace Drivetrain: RMCR tune, CAI intake, Kooks headers, hi-flo cats & exhaust, VMAX TB, ZL1 fuel pump, LSR Tri-Ax shifter Bumblebee Racecar Build

05-05-2016, 12:49 AM	#4
Netslave GM paint evaluation dept Drives: Too many to list Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: South East US Posts: 345	Tell them their noise test is BS. Proof you say? You are welcome. http://gizmodo.com/5616427/sunchips-...amagingly-loud __________________ Co-owner of Tony the Tiger - A GM factory custom orange and mosaic black striped 2016 SS 2SS - U̶n̶o̶f̶f̶i̶c̶i̶a̶l̶l̶y̶ Officially the worst Mosaic Black paint on a 2016 Camaro SS 2SS See him here - https://drive.google.com/folderview?...3M&usp=sharing

05-05-2016, 11:21 AM	#5
Dexman1349 2010 2SS/RS M6 Drives: 2010 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Auckland, NZ Posts: 1,482	lol, that's awesome! __________________ 2/7/2014: 419 hp, 419 tq Cosmetic: ZL1 front w/mailslot, painted stripes, powdercoated SS rims, tow hook, and full chrome delete Suspension: Pfadt subframe bushings, Pfadt rear UCA bushings, Z28 Upper control arms, Spohn trailing arms with BMR trailing arm & differential bushings, ZL1 Toe Rods and springs, Prothane radius arm inserts & steering rack bushing, Pfadt Sport front sway, FE4 conversion w/ DS rear sway, Pfadt strut brace Drivetrain: RMCR tune, CAI intake, Kooks headers, hi-flo cats & exhaust, VMAX TB, ZL1 fuel pump, LSR Tri-Ax shifter Bumblebee Racecar Build

05-07-2016, 09:16 PM	#6
insanity213 Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Colorado Posts: 114 View My Garage	Bottom line is that you have to convert to right hand drive, which I'm guessing is next to impossible. There are special exemptions but I think the only one we'd ever have a chance at is waiting till the car is 20+ years old. My wife is a kiwi and I looked into this a few years back when facing a layoff and contemplated moving to NZ. https://www.nzta.govt.nz/vehicles/im...drive-vehicle/

05-11-2016, 05:19 PM	#7
Dexman1349 2010 2SS/RS M6 Drives: 2010 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Auckland, NZ Posts: 1,482	Yeah, I saw that. However, the Camaro does not have to be converted to RHD. It does meet the Category A requirements. https://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/factsheets/12/ Here's a dealership that sells them: http://www.4guys.co.nz/vehicles-coupe.html#/?type=Coupe I did swap the exhaust back to stock just to be safe, although a decibel reading indicated that the car didn't exceed 90 with the Kooks (but it was really close). __________________ 2/7/2014: 419 hp, 419 tq Cosmetic: ZL1 front w/mailslot, painted stripes, powdercoated SS rims, tow hook, and full chrome delete Suspension: Pfadt subframe bushings, Pfadt rear UCA bushings, Z28 Upper control arms, Spohn trailing arms with BMR trailing arm & differential bushings, ZL1 Toe Rods and springs, Prothane radius arm inserts & steering rack bushing, Pfadt Sport front sway, FE4 conversion w/ DS rear sway, Pfadt strut brace Drivetrain: RMCR tune, CAI intake, Kooks headers, hi-flo cats & exhaust, VMAX TB, ZL1 fuel pump, LSR Tri-Ax shifter Bumblebee Racecar Build

03-12-2017, 05:32 PM	#8
calebdiack Drives: Chevrolet Camaro Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: New Zealand Posts: 3	Hello, I am looking at importing a Camaro from USA to NZ, How did you get on with the Left Hand Drive permit?

03-12-2017, 05:50 PM	#9
Dexman1349 2010 2SS/RS M6 Drives: 2010 2SS/RS M6 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Auckland, NZ Posts: 1,482	Actually waiting for approval on the permit now. Car has been in NZ since July. I submitted my first application back in October, but it was rejected because I used the wrong form. Here is the correct form: http://vehicleinspection.nzta.govt.n...LHD-permit.pdf That caused a delay because I realized I needed permanent residency, which I didn't get until January. I resubmitted my application last week. The "copy of the relevant article" declaring the "vehicle is identified as being a collector’s item in a commercially produced motoring publication" can be found in New Zealand Classic Car magazine, Issue 230, February 2010. I found a copy on Trade Me. If/when NZTA returns my copy, you're welcome to use it. For the Declaration Witness, you have to go to an Entry Certifier-specific AA or VTNZ facility. You just need the completed forms, no need to bring the car...yet. Bring color photos of all the manufacturer's "plates" on the car, including the EPA plate under the hood and the ones inside the driver's door. I went to this one: https://vtnz.co.nz/branches/avondale/ Once the approval is granted (hopefully soon), Bee will need to be towed to that same certify center where he will sit for a couple of days while they do a full top-down inspection. I was told this even includes a certain level of disassembly (specifically around the brakes, suspension, exhaust, and to check for crash damage/repairs). __________________ 2/7/2014: 419 hp, 419 tq Cosmetic: ZL1 front w/mailslot, painted stripes, powdercoated SS rims, tow hook, and full chrome delete Suspension: Pfadt subframe bushings, Pfadt rear UCA bushings, Z28 Upper control arms, Spohn trailing arms with BMR trailing arm & differential bushings, ZL1 Toe Rods and springs, Prothane radius arm inserts & steering rack bushing, Pfadt Sport front sway, FE4 conversion w/ DS rear sway, Pfadt strut brace Drivetrain: RMCR tune, CAI intake, Kooks headers, hi-flo cats & exhaust, VMAX TB, ZL1 fuel pump, LSR Tri-Ax shifter Bumblebee Racecar Build Last edited by Dexman1349; 03-12-2017 at 06:00 PM.

03-23-2017, 11:20 PM	#10
calebdiack Drives: Chevrolet Camaro Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: New Zealand Posts: 3	Thanks for that! I have done a search and it appears I can buy that magazine online. Does the article refer to any gen 5 Camaro or just the 2010 model? I am still in the process of finding an SS Camaro to purchase. What proof did you submit for the vehicle must be manufactured as a high performance vehicle?

User Name		Remember Me?
Password