Country guide · 🇳🇿 New Zealand
Apostille for importing a Japanese car to New Zealand
New Zealand is the world's fourth-largest market for Japanese used-vehicle imports — 81,305 vehicles arrived from Japan in 2024. We apostille the Japanese Certificate of Export at MoFA Tokyo for Kiwi importers who need extra documentary protection on top of NZTA's standard intake.
01 — New Zealand
The local authority — NZTA
In New Zealand, vehicle entry and registration is regulated by the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA / Waka Kotahi). Entry inspection (formerly EIC) verifies the chassis number, MLIT certificate, emission code, and frontal-impact compliance. NZTA does not formally require an apostille on the MLIT certificate — a notarised copy is generally accepted. The apostille becomes valuable when there is a dispute, an insurance claim, a finance lender requiring authenticity, or a border officer asking for additional proof.
02 — New Zealand
When the apostille helps
Right-hand drive vehicles imported individually through Auckland and Tauranga ports usually clear without apostille. Cases where the apostille materially helps: fleet dealers who handle multiple cars and want fraud-proof documentation across the chain; classic JDM imports (R32/R33/R34, AE86, FD3S) where authenticity is contested in insurance; finance-backed imports where the lender wants notarised + apostilled originals; and resale to Australia, where Australian authorities sometimes scrutinise the MLIT chain.
03 — New Zealand
What we do, what you do
We handle exclusively the Tokyo side: collecting the apostille at the MoFA counter in Toranomon and shipping the authenticated original by tracked international courier to your NZ address. You handle the NZ side: entry inspection, WoF (Warrant of Fitness), low-volume vehicle inspection (LVV) if modified, plate issue, road user charges (RUC). The apostille is your insurance against documentary disputes downstream.
04 — New Zealand
Tips for New Zealand importers
NZ requires the MLIT certificate to include the type designation number for entry inspection. Many sellers ship the certificate by registered post; we recommend you photograph it BEFORE shipping and send us the scan in advance. We confirm feasibility in hours, ship within three working days of receiving the original, and you have the apostilled document at your Auckland/Wellington/Christchurch address in ~10-15 days door to door.
Ready to apostille your New Zealand import?
Send us the scan of your Certificate of Export. We confirm feasibility within hours, deliver the apostilled original to New Zealand in 15 days door-to-door. € 280, all-inclusive, refund guaranteed.