Car, Boat & Heavy Equipment Shipping to New Zealand
0% duty on most vehicles and a special-interest scheme for 20+ year LHD classics make New Zealand one of the friendliest classic-car destinations we serve — if your cargo passes the world's strictest biosecurity check.
New Zealand at a Glance
Space available- Shipping from
- $3,000+
- Ocean transit
- 16–24 days (West Coast)
- Arrival ports
- Auckland · Tauranga
- Import duty + VAT
- 0% duty + 15% GST (most vehicles)
- LHD classics 20+ yrs
- Special-interest scheme
No obligation · Response within 1 business day
Shipping to New Zealand: What You Need to Know
New Zealand's import math is refreshingly simple: 0% customs duty on most vehicles and 15% GST on the landed value — no excise, no engine-size brackets, no luxury surcharge. The market is right-hand drive, but the special-interest vehicle scheme admits left-hand-drive cars 20 years and older without conversion, which keeps a steady flow of American muscle, classic pickups, and collector cars moving into Auckland. Boats are a parallel lane: New Zealand has one of the highest boat-ownership rates in the world.
The real gatekeeper is biosecurity, not customs. Every vehicle and boat is inspected on arrival by MPI, and a single seed pod, soil trace, or insect means mandatory treatment at your cost — or in extreme cases, re-export. We steam-clean every unit before loading, document it photographically, and pre-lodge the biosecurity declaration so Auckland and Tauranga arrivals clear in days rather than weeks. West Coast transit runs 16–24 days with weekly departures.
Key takeaway
Plan around two numbers: 15% GST (duty is 0% on most vehicles) and the 20-year threshold that lets LHD classics in without conversion. Then obsess over cleanliness — biosecurity, not customs, is what delays shipments to New Zealand. We steam-clean and pre-document every unit.
Shipping Routes & Transit Times to New Zealand
| U.S. Departure Port | Arrival Port | Ocean Transit | Sailing Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles / Long Beach | Auckland | 16–22 days | Weekly |
| Los Angeles / Long Beach | Tauranga | 18–24 days | Bi-weekly |
| Oakland, CA | Auckland | 18–25 days | Bi-weekly |
| New York / New Jersey | Auckland | 32–42 days | Bi-weekly |
| Savannah, GA | Auckland | 34–44 days | Bi-weekly |
Transit times are port-to-port estimates and exclude export clearance and customs processing.
Shipping to New Zealand from the Port of Savannah
Seaway Export is headquartered at the Port of Savannah, Georgia — one of the fastest-growing container ports in the United States and our primary export gateway. We run regular sailings from Savannah to New Zealand, backed by departures from New York/New Jersey, Houston, and Los Angeles/Long Beach, so we can route your cargo on the lane that reaches New Zealand fastest and at the best price.
Cars, SUVs, pickups & classic vehicles — container or RoRo
Boats, yachts & personal watercraft — cradled or lift-on/lift-off
Heavy equipment & machinery — flat rack, breakbulk or RoRo
What It Costs to Ship to New Zealand
Indicative per-unit rates from U.S. ports. Your exact rate depends on vehicle dimensions, departure region, and current vessel space.
| Service | Typical Rate | What to Know | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared container (consolidated) | $3,000 – $4,000 | Budget-friendly, waits for consolidation | Standard sedans & SUVs |
| Dedicated 20ft container | $4,000 – $5,400 | Fastest loading, single vehicle | High-value or classic cars |
| Dedicated 40ft container | $5,200 – $7,200 | Fits 2 vehicles or vehicle + cargo | Pairs, dealer lots |
| RoRo (roll-on / roll-off) | $3,200 – $4,800 | Drive-on service, no container | Running vehicles, trucks, machinery |
| Flat rack / breakbulk | Custom quote | For oversized & non-running units | Heavy equipment, boats |
Rates shown are indicative ranges from the U.S. East Coast and are confirmed at booking.
Estimate your landed cost to New Zealand →Rates move with fuel surcharges and season. Get today's exact rate for your vehicle in under 1 hour.
Price My ShipmentNew Zealand Import Duties & Taxes
| Category | Import Duty | VAT / Tax | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passenger cars | 0% | 15% GST | GST on CIF value |
| LHD classics (20+ yrs) | 0% | 15% GST | Special-interest vehicle scheme |
| Motorcycles | 0% | 15% GST | Biosecurity inspection applies |
| Boats & yachts | 0–5% | 15% GST | Hull cleaning strictly checked |
| Heavy machinery | 0–5% | 15% GST | Soil-free condition mandatory |
Indicative rates for general guidance — final assessment is made by customs at arrival. Our team confirms the exact landed cost before you book.
Documents You'll Need
- Original vehicle title (Certificate of Title) — lien-free
- Bill of sale or commercial invoice
- Copy of passport or government ID
- U.S. AES export filing (we handle this)
- Import declaration at destination (we coordinate)
- Packing list for personal items, if any
Importing a 20+ year LHD classic?
New Zealand's special-interest vehicle scheme admits left-hand-drive cars 20 years and older without RHD conversion — and with 0% duty, your only major cost beyond freight is 15% GST. We handle the entry certification, MPI biosecurity prep, and steam cleaning so the car clears Auckland in days.
What We Ship to New Zealand
Every cargo type has its own routing, loading method, and import path. Pick yours to see the exact process.
Cars, SUVs & Classics
Container or RoRo service into New Zealand's main vehicle gateways, with full customs handling.
- Sedans, SUVs & pickups
- Classic & collector cars
- Motorcycles & ATVs
Heavy Equipment
Flat rack, breakbulk, and container loading for construction, agricultural, and industrial machinery bound for New Zealand.
- Excavators & dozers
- Agricultural machinery
- Oversized project cargo
Boats & Yachts
Cradled container loading or lift-on/lift-off service for boats and personal watercraft headed to New Zealand.
- Powerboats & sailboats
- Yachts & cruisers
- Jet skis & PWC
Container vs. RoRo to New Zealand
| Feature | Container | RoRo |
|---|---|---|
| Personal items allowed inside | ||
| Non-running vehicles accepted | ||
| Lowest cost for running cars | ||
| Weather-protected transit | ||
| Multiple vehicles per booking |
Popular U.S. → New Zealand Routes
Los Angeles / Long Beach → Auckland
16–22 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Los Angeles / Long Beach → Tauranga
18–24 days ocean transit · Bi-weekly departures
Oakland, CA → Auckland
18–25 days ocean transit · Bi-weekly departures
Savannah, GA → Auckland
34–44 days ocean transit · Bi-weekly departures
Step-by-Step: How Your Shipment to New Zealand Moves
Quote & booking
Day 0Lock in your rate and vessel space. We confirm pickup windows and the best departure port for your route.
U.S. pickup & delivery to port
Days 1–7Door pickup from any auction, dealer, or residence. Condition photos taken at every handoff.
Export clearance & loading
Days 5–12AES filing, title validation with CBP (72-hour rule), professional loading, blocking, and bracing.
Ocean transit
16–24 days (West Coast)Regular sailings with full tracking from departure to arrival at Auckland · Tauranga.
Customs & handover
2–7 daysImport declaration, duty and tax payment, and release. Optional onward trucking to your final destination.
Buying from a U.S. auction? Read our step-by-step playbook before you bid.
Read the auction shipping guideFrequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about shipping to New Zealand. Can't find the answer you're looking for? Contact our team.
Refreshingly simple: 0% customs duty on most vehicles and 15% GST on the landed (CIF) value — no excise, no engine-size brackets, no luxury surcharge. That makes New Zealand one of the friendliest classic-car destinations we serve. The real cost variable isn't tax at all — it's biosecurity compliance, so budget for a professional pre-shipment clean.
Yes. New Zealand drives right-hand drive, but its special-interest vehicle scheme admits left-hand-drive cars 20 years and older without RHD conversion. Combined with 0% duty, that keeps a steady flow of American muscle, classic pickups, and collector cars moving into Auckland. We handle the entry certification so the LHD status is approved rather than a surprise at the border.
Because it, not customs, is what delays shipments. Every vehicle and boat is inspected on arrival by MPI, and a single seed pod, soil trace, or insect means mandatory treatment at your cost — or, in extreme cases, re-export. We steam-clean every unit before loading, document it photographically, and pre-lodge the biosecurity declaration so Auckland and Tauranga arrivals clear in days rather than weeks. Boat hulls are checked especially closely.
About 16–24 days from the West Coast. We sail weekly from Los Angeles/Long Beach to Auckland (16–22 days), biweekly to Tauranga and from Oakland, and biweekly East Coast service from New York (32–42 days) and Savannah. Auckland and Tauranga are the two gateways. We offer both container and RoRo, and bundle the steam clean, MPI biosecurity prep, and entry certification into one managed booking.
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