What is entry compliance?

Entry compliance is the process every imported vehicle must go through before it can be registered in New Zealand. It confirms the vehicle meets New Zealand's safety and emissions standards, whatever country it was originally built for.

Who carries out entry compliance in New Zealand?

Entry compliance is carried out by approved certifiers, most commonly VINZ (Vehicle Inspection New Zealand) and Drivesure. At 4Guys, we handle the whole process through VINZ and Drivesure for every vehicle we import.

Is entry compliance the same as a Warrant of Fitness?

No. Entry compliance is a one-off check done before a vehicle is first registered in New Zealand. A Warrant of Fitness (WOF) is an ongoing, regular check that every vehicle needs to keep being legally driven, import or not.

Does every imported vehicle need entry compliance?

Yes. It doesn't matter whether it's a Japanese import, an American muscle car or a truck, every vehicle brought into New Zealand from overseas must pass entry compliance before it can be registered.

What happens if a vehicle fails entry compliance?

The specific issues need to be corrected before the vehicle can pass. This might mean repairs, parts replacement, or in some cases modifications. Our team manages this as part of the import process, so it's sorted before you take delivery.

Does a right-hand drive conversion need to pass compliance too?

Yes. A converted vehicle goes through entry compliance the same as any other import, to confirm it meets New Zealand's safety standards after the conversion work is done.

Can I import and comply a car myself?

You can, but it involves coordinating shipping, certifiers and any repair work yourself, and mistakes can be costly. Buying through a dealer who handles compliance as part of the process, like 4Guys, avoids that hassle.

Import Compliance Explained | VINZ & Drivesure NZ

Every vehicle brought into New Zealand from overseas, whether it's a Japanese import or an American muscle car, has to clear one important hurdle before it can be registered: entry compliance. It's a step buyers don't always think about, but it's what actually makes an imported vehicle legal and safe to drive here.

4Guys Autobarn handles entry compliance through VINZ and Drivesure for every vehicle we import. Here's what the process actually involves.

The Short Answer

Entry compliance is a mandatory inspection that every imported vehicle must pass before it can be registered in New Zealand. It checks the vehicle against New Zealand's safety and emissions standards, regardless of what country it was built for or originally sold in. It's carried out by approved certifiers such as VINZ and Drivesure, and it's separate from the regular Warrant of Fitness checks a vehicle needs once it's on the road.

How Entry Compliance Works

1. Inspection

The vehicle is inspected against New Zealand's safety and emissions standards by an approved certifier.

2. Any Corrections

If anything doesn't meet standard, it's corrected, whether that's a repair, a part replacement, or a modification.

3. Certification and Registration

Once the vehicle passes, it's certified as compliant and can be registered for New Zealand roads.

We manage every step of this process for the vehicles we import, so you're not left coordinating it yourself. Read more about VINZ and Drivesure compliance.

Entry Compliance vs Warrant of Fitness

Entry Compliance

A one-off check done before a vehicle is first registered in New Zealand
Confirms the vehicle meets New Zealand safety and emissions standards
Required for every imported vehicle, whatever its origin

Warrant of Fitness (WOF)

An ongoing, regular check every vehicle needs to stay legally on the road
Confirms the vehicle is still safe to drive, not just when it was imported
Applies to imports and NZ-new vehicles alike

Both matter, but they're checking different things at different points in a vehicle's life.

What Gets Checked

Safety systems: Brakes, steering, lighting and structural integrity are all inspected
Emissions: The vehicle is checked against New Zealand's emissions requirements
Identification: The vehicle's identity is confirmed to match its paperwork
Modifications: Any non-standard modifications, including right-hand drive conversions, are checked to confirm they meet New Zealand standards

Why It Matters for Every Import

It doesn't matter whether you're buying a Japanese import or an American vehicle, entry compliance applies the same way. Read more about the differences between Japanese imports and NZ-new cars, or browse our range of American vehicles, all of which have already been through the compliance process.

Buying From a Dealer Who Handles It For You

Importing and complying a vehicle yourself means coordinating shipping, certifiers and any corrective work on your own, and getting it wrong can be costly and time-consuming. When you buy through 4Guys, entry compliance through VINZ and Drivesure is already taken care of before the vehicle goes on our yard, so there's nothing left for you to sort out.

New Zealand's Import Specialists

With more than 35 years of experience importing vehicles from Japan, the US and beyond, we manage the entry compliance process from start to finish. Visit us 7 days a week at 20 Arthur Porter Drive, Hamilton, browse our current vehicles, or call us on (07) 849 0083.

Import Compliance FAQs

Entry compliance is the process every imported vehicle must go through before it can be registered in New Zealand. It confirms the vehicle meets New Zealand's safety and emissions standards, whatever country it was originally built for.
Entry compliance is carried out by approved certifiers, most commonly VINZ (Vehicle Inspection New Zealand) and Drivesure. At 4Guys, we handle the whole process through VINZ and Drivesure for every vehicle we import.
No. Entry compliance is a one-off check done before a vehicle is first registered in New Zealand. A Warrant of Fitness (WOF) is an ongoing, regular check that every vehicle needs to keep being legally driven, import or not.
Yes. It doesn't matter whether it's a Japanese import, an American muscle car or a truck, every vehicle brought into New Zealand from overseas must pass entry compliance before it can be registered.
The specific issues need to be corrected before the vehicle can pass. This might mean repairs, parts replacement, or in some cases modifications. Our team manages this as part of the import process, so it's sorted before you take delivery.
Yes. A converted vehicle goes through entry compliance the same as any other import, to confirm it meets New Zealand's safety standards after the conversion work is done.
You can, but it involves coordinating shipping, certifiers and any repair work yourself, and mistakes can be costly. Buying through a dealer who handles compliance as part of the process, like 4Guys, avoids that hassle.