rollship
Ship a Car to New Zealand from the UK: Costs & Rules
Shipping a standard car from the UK to New Zealand commonly costs £1,100 to £1,900 for sea freight. Allow roughly seven to ten weeks as a planning timeline. The critical parts are not just the voyage: New Zealand checks vehicle standards, ownership, identity and biosecurity before the car can be registered.
The short version
- Freight planning range. £1,100–£1,900 for a standard car, before collection, insurance and destination charges.
- Import duty and GST. New Zealand Customs lists passenger-car duty at 0%, while GST is generally 15% on the customs value calculation.
- Biosecurity is strict. The car must be thoroughly clean inside, outside and underneath before shipping.
- Entry certification. A New Zealand certifier checks identity, ownership, standards and condition before registration.
- Check compliance first. Do not assume every UK vehicle automatically meets New Zealand standards.
How much does it cost to ship a car to New Zealand?
For 2026 planning, use £1,100–£1,900 for sea freight for a normal saloon or SUV. Container shipping, very large vehicles and non-runners cost more. UK collection may add £120–£350, export documentation around £75–£150, and marine insurance is normally value-based. New Zealand port, inspection, cleaning, certification and registration costs sit outside those UK freight figures.
| Cost line | Planning range | Important detail |
|---|---|---|
| Sea freight | £1,100–£1,900 | Vehicle, port, method and carrier determine the quote |
| UK collection | £120–£350 | Distance and whether the car runs |
| Export documents | £75–£150 | Confirm customs entry is included |
| Marine insurance | Value-based | Review exclusions and excess |
| NZ border, certification and registration | Quoted locally | Depends on inspections and remedial work |
Will the car comply with New Zealand rules?
New Zealand Transport Agency guidance says imported vehicles need border inspection and entry certification before they can be registered for road use. The certifier checks the vehicle's identity, ownership trail, compliance with applicable safety requirements and physical condition.
Compliance depends on the vehicle type and date, not just the fact it was UK-registered. Ask an NZTA-approved entry certifier to review the VIN, first-registration date and documentary evidence before shipment. Cars with structural damage or missing standards evidence may need further inspection, repair or certification.
How clean does the vehicle need to be?
Very clean. New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industries says vehicles should be cleaned inside and out before shipping. Soil, seeds, insects and organic material can hide in wheel arches, underbody seams, engine bays, boot wells, mats and spare-wheel compartments.
The official MPI import steps warn that contaminated equipment can require cleaning, reshipment or destruction at the importer's cost. A quick exterior wash is not enough. Use a specialist export clean, photograph the completed work and keep the invoice.
What duty and GST apply?
New Zealand Customs publishes a 0% import-duty rate for passenger cars. GST is generally 15% and is calculated on the customs value plus freight, insurance and any duty. A Customs Number is required for importing a motor vehicle, regardless of its value.
That does not make every import tax-free. GST and border fees can be substantial, and different classifications can apply to vehicles other than ordinary passenger cars. Ask New Zealand Customs or a licensed broker to calculate the exact position from the invoice and freight details.
People relocating may qualify for a concession on household effects, including a vehicle, where the published residence, time-abroad and ownership/use conditions are met. Do not assume it applies: check the current Customs concession before shipment and retain evidence of ownership and use.
Documents to prepare
- Original V5C and a continuous proof-of-ownership trail.
- Purchase invoice and payment record.
- Evidence of applicable vehicle standards where requested.
- Bill of lading and UK export declaration.
- Passport or importer identity and New Zealand Customs Number.
- Biosecurity cleaning invoice and supporting photographs.
- Any relocation-concession evidence if you intend to claim it.
Step-by-step shipping process
- Check compliance. Ask an entry certifier to assess the VIN and evidence.
- Calculate the landed cost. Combine freight, GST, border fees, entry certification and possible repairs.
- Clean and document the vehicle. Complete a proper export biosecurity clean.
- Book and export. Arrange collection, UK customs entry and loading.
- Complete border clearance. Customs and MPI assess the shipment on arrival.
- Entry certification. The approved certifier verifies the car and identifies any remedial work.
- Register and license. Complete New Zealand road registration only after certification.
Get a UK-to-New-Zealand quote
RollShip can compare the freight, collection, documentation and insurance elements and show them as separate lines. Start with our car-shipping estimator, then request a written quote with the VIN and preferred New Zealand port. We will not present a planning estimate as a guaranteed final landed price.
New Zealand car shipping questions
Do I pay import duty on a passenger car?
New Zealand Customs publishes a 0% duty rate for passenger cars, but GST is generally 15% on the customs-value calculation and border, certification and registration fees still apply. Confirm the exact vehicle classification.
Can I ship a dirty off-road vehicle and clean it on arrival?
That is a poor and potentially expensive plan. MPI expects vehicles to be clean before export. Contamination can lead to extra cleaning, delay, reshipment or destruction at the importer's cost.
How long does shipping take?
Seven to ten weeks is a reasonable planning range for export handling, sailing and arrival processes. Certification or remedial work can extend the time before the vehicle is road-ready.
Does a UK MOT prove New Zealand compliance?
No. It is useful history, but New Zealand entry certification separately checks identity, standards, ownership and condition before registration.
Tell us what you need. We'll price it.
Every shipment is different, so we don't publish a price list. Tell us the car and where it's going, and vetted UK specialists come back with itemised quotes within 24 hours. Free, no obligation.
Prefer email? Tell us what you need at [email protected] and we'll price it.