Shipping a Car From Australia to New Zealand with Trusted Transport Support
The need to ship cars is relatively standard. Home relocation, racing, and car show events are three of the most common reasons people might ship their vehicles from Australia to New Zealand.
If you're moving to New Zealand from Australia and want to ship your car with you, we're here to help.
In this article, we're going to be covering:
- What you should do before shipping your car
- Costs associated with sending your vehicle (plus additional fees)
- The topic of vehicle inspection/clearance
- Registration
- What to do after arriving in New Zealand
Once you follow all of the proper preliminary steps for shipping your car to New Zealand from Australia, it takes an average of ten days for your vehicle to be delivered.
Let's dive in so you can get one step closer to driving your vehicle through New Zealand.
Understanding Import Regulations and GST Exemptions
When importing a vehicle into New Zealand, awareness of the implications of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is essential. Typically, a 15% GST is applied to the vehicle's total value, including shipping and insurance costs. However, certain exemptions exist. For instance, if you've owned and used the car for at least 12 months before shipping and are relocating to New Zealand, you may qualify for a GST exemption. It's crucial to verify your eligibility and ensure all necessary documentation is to avoid unexpected charges.
Vehicle Compliance and Entry Certification
Before registering your vehicle on New Zealand roads, it must undergo an Entry Certification process. This involves verifying that the vehicle meets New Zealand's safety and emissions standards. An approved certifier will inspect the vehicle for compliance with frontal impact standards, emissions regulations, and overall roadworthiness. Any necessary modifications must be completed before certification is granted.
What Should I Do Before Shipping My Car From Australia to New Zealand?
The first step in preparing to ship your car from Australia to New Zealand is cleaning out any personal items within your vehicle. Suppose you neglect to take individual items out of your car before shipping them from Australia to New Zealand. In that case, you'll risk lengthening your clearance process as the items must be cleared separately. The second thing you can do to prepare for hauling your car is thoroughly clean the outside and inside of the vehicle. You are sending an unclean vehicle out to be shipped, which usually results in New Zealand biosecurity ordering the car to be cleaned to avoid possible diseases and pests from crossing the border.
- RoRo or container shipping from Australia to New Zealand costs AUD $1,800–$5,000+, with vehicle size, departure port, and method driving the widest cost variation.
- Total door-to-door delivery typically takes 2–4 weeks, including export processing, 4–10 days of port-to-port transit, and New Zealand biosecurity inspection on arrival.
- New Zealand's MPI biosecurity rules require a fully cleaned undercarriage before export; imported vehicles must also pass Entry Certification for safety and emissions compliance before registration.
What Costs Are Associated With Hauling My Vehicle?
The total cost of sending your vehicle from Australia to New Zealand will depend mainly on how you ship your car, the delivery service type you select, and various additional fees. When shipping your vehicle from Australia to New Zealand, you'll have sea and air freight options. Sea freight shipping is less expensive than air freight shipping but takes longer to deliver your vehicle. People looking to ship their cars overseas commonly select either door-to-door delivery service or port-to-port service.
Due to the convenience of the service, door-to-door delivery costs more than port-to-port delivery. A person who selects door-to-door delivery will have a vehicle hauler pick up their vehicle at their current home in Australia and drop it off at the door of their new home in New Zealand. Port-to-port service involves dropping your vehicle off at an Australian port and picking up your vehicle at the New Zealand port closest to your destination.
Here's a list of some primary New Zealand ports:
- Auckland
- Nelson
- Wellington
- Lyttelton
- Port Chalmers
What Additional Fees Are Involved In Moving My Vehicle?
Goods and Services Tax (GST) is associated with sending your vehicle from Australia to New Zealand and is calculated through the vehicle's value, insurance, and freight costs. The good news is you may be exempt from paying GST if you have used the car for more than one year overseas before shipping it, lived outside of New Zealand for at least 21 months before arriving, and arrived in New Zealand with your vehicle and proper residency established. If you select sea freight shipping to deliver your car from Australia to New Zealand, you'll be subject to sea freight charges that fluctuate based on current demand.
Before sending your vehicle out, it must be cleared for shipping.
How Can I Receive Clearance to Haul My Vehicle?
Vehicle clearance is essentially proof that you own the vehicle. You can provide evidence of ownership by supplying a shipping company with vehicle registration, purchase receipts, insurance papers, and your passport.
What Action Should I Take When I Get to New Zealand?
You'll need to register your vehicle in New Zealand when you arrive. This registration will help prove that your vehicle is suitable for driving on New Zealand roads. Providing a manufacturer's certificate that reflects the vehicle's ability to meet emission and frontal impact standards will be sufficient for acquiring registration in New Zealand.
Biosecurity and Quarantine Requirements
New Zealand has strict biosecurity laws to prevent the introduction of pests and diseases. Upon arrival, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) will inspect your vehicle for any signs of contamination, such as soil, plant material, or insects. To facilitate a smooth inspection process, it's advisable to thoroughly clean your vehicle, including the undercarriage, before shipping. Failure to meet cleanliness standards may result in additional cleaning costs or delays.
Conclusion: Navigating the Shipping Process Successfully
Transporting your car from Australia to New Zealand requires careful planning and adherence to various regulations. Understanding import taxes, ensuring vehicle compliance, and meeting biosecurity requirements can streamline the process and avoid potential pitfalls. Engaging with experienced shipping and compliance professionals can provide valuable guidance and support, ensuring your vehicle is road-ready upon arrival in New Zealand.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does shipping a car from Australia to New Zealand cost?
As of September 16, 2026, current Australia-to-New Zealand market pricing overlaps at about AUD $2,800-$3,500 by RoRo for a standard operable car. Larger vehicles and container service generally cost more, and the freight quote may not include New Zealand GST, compliance, cleaning, registration, or inland delivery. Departure port and vehicle dimensions account for much of the difference between quotes. A1's international car shipping cost calculator explains the main pricing inputs.
What documents are required to ship a car from Australia to New Zealand?
A used car arriving from Australia needs proof of ownership and evidence that it meets the New Zealand standards that apply to that vehicle. NZTA accepts documents such as Australian deregistration or change-of-ownership papers plus an invoice, bill of sale, or receipt; an ADR plate or statement of compliance may provide required standards evidence. Shipping details, including the bill of lading, also support Customs and MPI clearance. A1's international vehicle shipping documents guide covers the paperwork commonly prepared for overseas transport.
How long does it take to ship a car from Australia to New Zealand?
Car shipping from Australia to New Zealand commonly takes 5-21 days port-to-port, depending on the Australian departure port and New Zealand arrival port. East-coast routes to Auckland are often around 5-10 days, while Fremantle or secondary New Zealand ports can take longer. Booking, vessel schedules, Customs clearance, MPI biosecurity checks, and onward transport add time beyond the ocean voyage, so the complete process often runs about 2-4 weeks. Current sailing schedules should be checked before arranging travel around the vehicle.
Can I ship a car from Australia to New Zealand using RoRo or container shipping?
Yes, both RoRo and container shipping are used for vehicles moving between Australia and New Zealand. Current trans-Tasman RoRo schedules include departures from Brisbane, Port Kembla near Sydney, and Melbourne to Auckland, with some services continuing to ports such as Lyttelton, Wellington, and Nelson. RoRo is usually the lower-cost choice for an operable standard car, while container service can suit vehicles needing enclosed handling. A1's RoRo shipping cost guide explains how that method works.
Does New Zealand charge GST or import taxes on imported vehicles?
New Zealand generally applies 15% GST to imported vehicles unless a qualifying concession removes the charge. Customs calculates GST on the goods value plus any applicable duty, international freight, and insurance. People moving to New Zealand may qualify for the personal motor-vehicle concession when they meet the residence, overseas-residence, prior ownership and use, and undertaking conditions set by Customs. Any customs duty depends on the applicable tariff and origin, while MPI, certification, registration, or cleaning charges are separate.
Can I import an older vehicle from Australia into New Zealand?
Yes, an older vehicle from Australia can be imported if it meets the New Zealand requirements that still apply to its class and condition. Cars over 20 years old do not have to meet the frontal-impact or exhaust-emissions standards, but other safety, ownership, identity, biosecurity, and entry-certification requirements still apply before road registration. Certain non-compliant class MA passenger cars may instead qualify for a special-interest vehicle permit under separate criteria. Checking the exact vehicle with an NZTA entry certifier before shipping can prevent an unusable import.
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