Used-import numbers jump 119%

There were 10,784 used passenger vehicles imported last month as the number of units crossing our borders rose 119.3 per cent from 4,917 units a year ago.

The latest tally was also up by 46.4 per cent from March this year when 7,368 units came into the country, according to figures from Customs NZ. 

The year-to-date total for 2026 is now 29,465 – up by 14.2 per cent compared with 25,801 at the same time last year.

Some 10,369 units were imported from Japan in April for a 96.2 per cent share of the market. Australia was next with 371 units, followed by Singapore on 18. 

As for used light commercials, 381 crossed the border last month. This was up from 84 units in the same month last year and 6.4 per cent higher than March’s total of 358.

New sector’s year-to-date tally rises

As for new passenger vehicles, some 7,101 units were brought into New Zealand last month. 

This was a 10.6 per cent rise from 6,421 units in April last year but a 19.1 per cent decrease from 8,778 in March this year.

April’s tally means 29,422 vehicles have crossed the border so far in 2026, which is up 18.6 per cent from 24,810 units for the same period a year ago.

Japan was the main country of export with 3,131 units, followed by South Korea with 1,019, China on 981, Thailand with 915 and Belgium on 259.

For new light commercials, there were 1,736 units imported in April, which was a drop of 52.6 per cent from the 1,736 recorded a year ago. The latest figure was also down 41.3 per cent from 2,955 units in March.

Overall, 20,268 vehicles, including trucks and buses, entered the country in April. This was up from 19,696 in the previous month.