Dave C.
Courtney J.
Jeff D.
Maria L.
Car Shipping New Zealand
Typical Shipping Prices – How Much Does It Cost?
- Vehicle shipping costs to New Zealand from the U.S. generally run between $3,500 and $7,000.
- An important consideration when shipping a car to New Zealand is that many left-hand drive cars will need to be converted, though some may qualify for an exemption.
Cost & Time Examples For Shipping a Car to New Zealand
| To/From | Ground | Ocean | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose, CA to (California port) to Auckland | $200 | $3,400 | 5+17 |
| Los Angeles to (California port) to Dunedin | $350 | $4,300 | 5+27 |
| Boston, MA to (New York port) to Lyttleton | $400 | $3,600 | 5+30 |
| Portland, OR to (California port) to Auckland | $475 | $3,400 | 6+17 |
| Seattle, WA to (California port) to Dunedin | $550 | $4,300 | 6+27 |
| Columbus, OH to (New York port) to Tauranga | $550 | $3,400 | 5+64 |
| Chicago, IL to (New York port) to Chalmers | $675 | $3,600 | 6+30 |
| Atlanta, GA to (New York port) to Tauranga | $700 | $3,400 | 6+64 |
| Denver, CO to (California port) to Nelson | $775 | $4,300 | 7+26 |
| Houston, TX to (New York port) to Auckland | $1,075 | $3,400 | 7+30 |
*Prices and times are estimated. They can vary depending on the season and the type of vehicle.
*Save on ground transport costs by delivering the vehicle to the nearest port.
*Allow an additional ten days to process the documents.
*Prices are for one car in a dedicated 20ft container. This is the safest and most reliable way to transport a vehicle internationally. Other items may be included in the container to help save you money when moving.
*The RoRo (roll on, roll off) method is less expensive, and shipments can be completed in fewer days. Contact us now for a free RoRo quote.
Importing your vehicle into a foreign country can often be a complex process. Still, armed with the correct information and backed by a reputable auto transport company, the procedure can be painless. The New Zealand Customs Service and the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) websites supply a wealth of knowledge.
Any vehicle imported into New Zealand(Aotearoa) must pass a certification process given by an NZTA-approved certifier in compliance with all legal requirements. This ensures the vehicle meets or exceeds minimum vehicle standards determined by its type and age.
This certification includes a physical inspection that verifies several things, including, but not limited to, the following:
- The vehicle has a working and accurate odometer.
- The vehicle meets the minimum frontal impact standard.
The importer must obtain proof of this certification before registering the vehicle. Before making shipping arrangements, it is in your best interest to check the New Zealand Transport Agency website and contact them directly with any questions.
Read more about the vehicle registration process in New Zealand.
Popular Dispatching Destinations
- Auckland
- Christchurch
- Dunedin
- Hamilton
- Invercargill
- Napier
- Nelson
- New Plymouth
- Palmerston North
- Rotorua
- Tauranga
- Whangarei
- Wellington
Duty-Free
New Zealand is one of the few countries that do not impose tariff duties on vehicles that are used for personal use. Motorhomes, however, are the exception and are subject to 10% customs duty. For vehicles worth more than $1000, there is a small import entry transaction fee (IETF) of $29.26, as well as a biosecurity system entry levy of $17.63 (payable to the Ministry for Primary Industries). Aotearoa does, however, charge a “Goods and Services Tax” (GST) that is calculated based on the vehicle’s value as determined by the CIF (Cost + Insurance + Freight), less any deductions for depreciation. This tax is currently at a flat percentage rate of 15%.
If you are permanently moving into New Zealand and can supply proof of residence on the date of importation, the GST will be waived (this will also waive customs duty in the case of a motorhome).
Required Documents for Sending A Vehicle
- Current New Zealand residence visa or permit.
- Current RETURNING residence visa or permit.
- New Zealand passport.
- Australian passport.
- Current NZ WORK permit or visa (issued for a minimum of 12 months)
- Current NZ VISITOR’S permit of visa (issued for a minimum of 3 years)
Upon the vehicle’s arrival in Aotearoa, it will be immediately inspected by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) for quarantine inspection and cleaning. It will then be transferred to Customs to complete clearance. At this point, the importer must supply certain documents to help with the process, as detailed below.
Documents Requested
- Passport.
- Commercial Invoice (indicating price paid and date of purchase)
- Current Registration.
- Certificate of Title.
- Freight Costs and Insurance Invoice.
- Bill of Lading.
- Odometer Reading (reading upon export from the previous country and reading upon import into NZ)
Because New Zealand does not charge a tariff duty, shipping your vehicle is often much less costly than in many other countries. Be sure to verify all information needed before making shipping arrangements, and ALWAYS ask questions if you are confused. New Zealand offers some great resources to make contact as easy as possible. Finally, enlist the help of an exceptionally trustworthy auto transport company to conclude the process.
Transporting Of Heavy Equipment & Oversized Cargo
Hiring international transporters with years of experience and all the proper credentials is the greatest way to have your heavy equipment or oversized cargo shipped outside the United States. When you hire a reliable shipping company such as A1 AT, you can expect that your cargo will be delivered safely and sound with very few concerns. With connections to the highest quality shipping equipment and the most current shipping technologies, we are positive that we can successfully ship your oversized cargo to the Netherlands.
Accomplishing all the requirements of the Netherlands may be the most tedious part of an international delivery for most individuals. Fortunately, at A1, we know these laws, and the tariffs must be paid before you can earn the certificate of import approval from Customs.
- Farm Equipment, including tractors, balers, harvesters, backhoes, etc.
- Construction equipment includes bulldozers, forklifts, pipes, hydraulic equipment, dumpers, rock breakers, etc.
- Mining equipment includes loaders, excavators, haulers, etc.
- Paving equipment includes asphalt pavers, planers, compactors, graders, reclaimers, etc.
- Agricultural Equipment, including tractors, combine harvesters, plows, spreaders, drills, mowers, planers, etc.
The Various Ways to Internationally Import Your Heavy Equipment
Through A1 Auto Transport, you have several shipping options to select from. However, you may not have all of these options available. Depending on the type of equipment or cargo you need to have delivered, you may have fewer choices regarding your shipping process. Our representatives will discuss your options with you after you answer a few of their questions.
Short Descriptions for Each International Transport Method
- Container shipping implements the greatest amount of security against outdoor elements by enclosing your cargo within four walls and a ceiling. If this is the desired transport method, all cargo must fit inside at least our 40-foot container.
- Flat rack shipping is an open-air service that includes securely attaching your cargo to a large metal frame. The metal rack is placed on top of the vessel, and your cargo is strapped to it.
- Roll-on/roll-off shipping is the cheapest method of transit across international borders. This outdoor service is for passengers with huge vehicles or heavy equipment who can use the ship's ramp to board and disembark the vessel. The vast majority of A1 passengers use this mode of transportation.
- Lift-on/lift-off shipping is an open-air transport method best for shipping large, broken-down vehicles, construction materials, and created heavy equipment. A crane is used to lift the cargo onto and off the ship.
Relevant Statistics
- Approximately 25,000 cars are imported into New Zealand each year through shipment.
- Depending on its size and distance, shipping a vehicle to New Zealand costs between $1,200 and $2,500.
- Over 90% of cars shipped to Aotearoa are used vehicles.
- On average, it takes around 35 days for a car to be shipped from overseas and arrive in Aotearoa.
- Auckland is the most popular port for car shipments to New Zealand, with over 70% of vehicles being received there.
General Facts
- Shipping a car to New Zealand involves sending a vehicle from another country to Aotearoa.
- Vehicle import standards and regulations in New Zealand must be complied with when shipping a car.
- The cost of shipping a vehicle to Aotearoa can vary depending on factors such as the size of the vehicle and the shipping route.
- Necessary documents for moving a car to New Zealand typically include proof of ownership, title, and documentation of the vehicle's condition.
- Certain modifications may be required for cars being imported into Aotearoa to meet safety and environmental standards.
Other Services
- Overseas moving services to New Zealand
- New Zealand container shipping
Related Information
- Ship your car to New Zealand as quickly and safely as possible
- Use an experienced overseas transport company for shipping a car to New Zealand from the USA
- Cost to ship a motorcycle to New Zealand
- What does it cost to ship a car to New Zealand?
Frequently Asked Questions
The most important shipping/freighting ports in New Zealand are:
Tauranga: This is by far the largest port in the country with a container volume total of more than 950,000 TEUs (twenty-feet equivalent units). The port is located strategically, nestled protectively by Matakana Island and Mount Maunganui. Tourism, sports, fishing, shipping (imports & exports), and whatnot – this port supports it all!
Auckland: This port is several ports within one, all located westward to the Point Campbell and Queen Street, and is managed by the Port of Auckland Limited (POAL). The port has 55 hectares of dedicated storage space (wharves), and this place aims at producing no emissions by 2040.
Wellington: The perfectly situated international trade port is almost always bustling with activity and sees lots of day-to-day traffic flow. Numerous storage wharves and ample space for cruise ships make the Wellington port a highly functional and profitable base of operations.
Napier Port: This port is not only host to cruise ships but also has an extensive container hosting capacity, the fourth largest in the island nation. Plus, it can deal with the ever-expanding shipping industry, and its new storage spaces are meant to accommodate more cargo.
Lyttleton: This port is the most voluminous in the southern region of the island nation and hosts both cruise ships and cargo ships (for both imports and exports – about 61% and 34% respectively).
Otago: This is a significant deepwater port, harbor, and fishery; for almost centuries, the port has been an economically significant segment region.
I want to import a car to New Zealand, but I am confused about where to start, what should I do?
If you haven’t done this stuff before, then no worries; there’s always a first time for everything. Just get in touch with A1 Auto Transport, and let us in on some details:
- Details of the vehicle (make, model, and year)
- The location from where the said vehicle is from, specifically, i.e., it will affect from where the car will be shipped (i.e., which port)
- Pickup location
- The location where you want your vehicle to be shipped
- It would be best if you informed us whether the vehicle is operable or not (runner/non-runner)
- Important details specific to your case
Once you’ve cleared these details, we'll help you handle the rest.
Can you break down the whole process of car sending from the USA to Aotearoa for me?
If you’re unsure about what to do, then here’s a rough summary/breakdown of the car-sending process for New Zealand:
- Find out if the vehicle you want to import is eligible for import in New Zealand by checking its Transport Agency's vehicle import standards.
- Identify the import standards and make a checklist for your records.
- You’ll need documented evidence to show that the vehicle you want to import falls into the eligibility circle; these documentations include:
- Documents of car ownership
- Documents detailing the car’s emission standards
- Documents detailing frontal impact standards (passenger safety)
- Certificate of fuel consumption
- And other documents certifying overall compliance with import standards
- Once you’ve done that, you need to figure out the delivery costs – which are not constant (not even on fixed routes); for this, you need to factor in the following:
- Freighting charges for shipping the vehicle
- Insurance coverage fees: if you have purchased insurance protection
- Storage charges
- Transport and delivery expenses
- Customs duties, taxes, and miscellaneous fees applicable in your case
- Customs broker’s fee, if you hired one for customs clearance
- Vehicle registration fee in New Zealand
- Vehicle insurance minimum in New Zealand
- Import processing dues
- Charges payable to the transport company, i.e., A1 Auto Transport, offer competitive rates for international vehicle importing.
- Next, you need to select a trusted and reliable car shipping company that ships vehicles from the USA to New Zealand, and vice versa (if you want it the other way around).
- Figure out the route, i.e., the departure port and the arrival port.
- Ensure that the said vehicle is completely clean and meets the biosecurity requirements for New Zealand.
- Before registering your vehicle for the roads of New Zealand, it needs to clear the entry certification.
- After that, you can apply for registration.
The duration is not fixed, it all depends on the route taken, and of course, other factors such as weather conditions (which may cause delays). For example, the California port to Auckland route is shorter than others, almost a 17-day over-seas voyage.
However, other routes are longer, i.e. for instance, if your car is from somewhere near New York and you want it delivered to a location closest to Tauranga, the shipment might take over two months.
We did not factor in the over-land traveling in both cases because that is variable based on pickup and delivery locations; distance matters.
How much should I expect to pay in delivery costs for importing a car to Aotearoa from the USA?
Depending on the shipping route, the freighting option opted for, and other details about the car itself, you should expect to pay between $3,500 and $7,000 for shipping a car from the USA to New Zealand.
This is not a fixed range as the price estimates vary depending on multiple factors.
If I transport a car from the USA to Aotearoa or vice versa, what factors will affect the total sending cost for me?
Here’s a rundown of the cost affecting factors to look for when moving a car from the USA to New Zealand or the other way around:
- The make and model of the car being imported.
- The age of your car, i.e. its manufacturing batch/date.
- The present condition of the said vehicle, or a fair estimate of its monetary value.
- The optimal route for the transport, i.e. how much over-land and over-seas distance is involved, for instance, California port to Auckland is cheaper when compared to New York to Tauranga.
- The option of shipping opted for, i.e. open-air shipping versus closed air-shipping, the former is cheaper.
- Customs duties and taxes applicable in your case.
- Fees for insurance protection coverage if you opted for it.
- Dues for materials and equipment used in the whole sending process.
How should I prepare my car for moving to New Zealand?
Apart from ensuring that it is completely clean from both the outside and the inside (the island nation is very conscious about cleanliness and biosafety), you also need to ensure that the vehicle has a working odometer.
If the car is operable, fill the gas tank to ¼ of the full capacity, but no more than that (for the roll-on, roll-off shipment option).
You should also vacuum the interior and make sure that none of your belongings remain inside the vehicle. The last segment is especially important because the authorities in New Zealand will inspect the car and may demand further cleaning which will cost you an additional fee.
Plus, you’ll also have to steam clean the undercarriage to rid it of any foreign soil.
Why is there so much talk about cleaning the undercarriage, and is it really that big a deal?
You've probably read about it on some official website, and yes, it is a big deal.
New Zealand is an island country, meaning that the flora and fauna within are relatively isolated from that of the rest of the world. This makes them especially sensitive to invasive species, pests, and pathogens.
Thus the authorities in New Zealand are very careful about what gets in. You must clean the undercarriage of your car from any foreign soil (via steam cleaning) before it can be accepted by the authorities of the island nation. This way, you can ensure that no invasive species/pests are introduced into the environment of New Zealand.
If you choose to ignore this, the authorities will do the cleaning for you, but in return for an additional fee.
What delivery options do I have for transporting my car, and which one do you think is better?
You can choose between open-air and closed-air shipment options when sending your vehicle; both have their applications.
If your vehicle is operable, the open-air shipment option is more suitable, i.e. the “roll-on, roll-off” method. In this protocol, the vehicle is driven on board, fastened/secured with the ship, transported, and then driven off-board. Also, none of your personal belongings should be inside the car for this shipping option.
In the closed air-shipping option, the vehicle is transported inside sealed containers and is extra secured from any physical risks. For the most part, people prefer the roll-on, roll-off shipment option because it is simpler and costs less.
However, container cargo is preferable in cases where the car is not operable or if you’re willing to pay extra for extra protection. We recommend the first option for obvious reasons: it is perfectly safe and more practical for operable vehicles, and it costs less.
What customs duties and taxes are levied upon vehicles being imported to New Zealand?
Usually, duties and taxes are levied on imported cars, but there are some exceptions, and you might just get lucky. If you're an immigrant arriving in the island nation for the very first time, you might be able to sidestep the Goods and Services Tax (GST) of 15% of the purchase price and the freighting dues.
For this, you’ll have to prove that:
- You’re becoming a permanent resident in the country
- You’re the owner of the said vehicle for at least the past one year and have used it
- You’ll be using the said vehicle for at least two years after importing it
There are other details as well that you should explore on the official government website, but in short, there are a lot of categories that are exempted from this tax.
Just a friendly heads-up: If you’ve imported the vehicle for commercial purposes, for selling, or exchanging, or as a gift, this exemption will not apply.
What is the entry certification for cars in Aotearoa, and how do I get one for mine?
The New Zealand Transport Authority has created a certification system whereby any car entering the country will be tested for compliance with the legal/import requirements. The vehicle must at least meet, but ideally, exceed these requirements that vary based on the age of the vehicle and its type.
The physical inspection will cover the areas of compliance such as:
- Whether the vehicle meets the frontal impact standards (i.e. for passenger safety)
- Whether the vehicle complies with the emissions safety requirements
- Whether the vehicle has an operable odometer (also, it should be perfectly accurate)
- Whether the vehicle is in an overall good condition
- Whether any repairs/touchups are necessary
- Whether any specialist inspection is required to ascertain that the car meets the legal requirements of the country
- Verification of car ownership
- Verifying the identity/details of the car
Here’s a summary of what happens/what you should expect when your car shipment arrives in New Zealand:
- Fulfilling preliminary requirements
- Before arrival, you must send your NZ Customs Client code number to the hauler.
- Plus, you’ll also have to send over a copy of your New Zealand driver’s license.
- New Zealand Customs entry – the haulage company will provide the following to the Customs department for entry:
- Your NZ Customs Client code number
- The original invoice/bill of sale
- The original title to complete
- Additional documentation based on specific situations
- Unpacking the container – in case you opted for container shipping.
- MAF (Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry) inspection – the MAF will inspect the car and its parts; it may release the vehicle if satisfied, or:
- Demand extra cleaning/vacuuming
- This cleaning process will require an additional fee
- A re-inspection from MAF may also be required in some cases
- Following the release
- After the release, you’ll get a payment invoice
- Once you pay the dues, the car will be delivered as per your instructions
- The whole procedure can take up to 5 working days
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