Removals to New Zealand
New Zealand removals
We do New Zealand removals better than anyone else. With branches throughout New Zealand in Auckland, Tauranga, Napier, New Plymouth, Wellington, Nelson, Dunedin and Christchurch, we have the country covered. Whether you need to move some selected items, all of the contents of your home or a vehicle, we can tailor a service to meet your requirements.
We make it easy by providing a door to door service to anywhere in New Zealand. Plus we’ve got the latest information about New Zealand border control regulations for customs, quarantine and CITES.
Why move with us?
We have the experience, expertise and infrastructure to help make your move to New Zealand a pleasurable event. Let us take care of the hard work so you can concentrate on everything else. If you’re a returning Kiwi or going to live in New Zealand for the first time, let us help you on your journey.
How much will it cost to move to New Zealand?
There are several considerations that we use to determine the cost of your move. Once we have all of these details we can provide you with a quotation.
- Where are you moving from and where are you moving to in New Zealand?
- How much do you need to move, i.e. your full household or part of it?
- Do you have any items that require special handling, i.e. a piano?
- When do you plan to move?
- Will you require packing services for your boxes?
- We also have moving insurance available as well.
Economy sea freight to New Zealand.
If you’re moving on a budget, or are flexible with the timing of when your belongings will arrive in New Zealand, we provide an economy container sea freight service. This is the same container based shipping system, except your items are loaded into a shared container. You only pay for the space your belongings take up.
With a shared container it is not always possible to advise you of the shipping date, as they are subject to a container being filled to capacity. We can provide you with an estimated door to door transit time based on historic activity. However, your shipment may arrive sooner or later depending on the level of market demand to New Zealand at the time.
New Zealand customs regulations
When moving your belongings to New Zealand, it is important to know that all items must be cleared for entry by the New Zealand Customs Service. We will undertake this formality on your behalf as part of our service. You are required to provide a copy of your passport and visa and complete an Unaccompanied Personal Baggage Declaration (NZCS218). We will submit these documents to New Zealand Customs with your inventory of goods you want shipped.
As a general rule, you can import your used personal effects and household goods into New Zealand without having to pay any customs duty and tax, provided that you have lived outside of New Zealand for 21 months and have owned and used the items before departing for New Zealand.
You must also have the legal right to reside in New Zealand. The items you ship should also be for your own personal use and not for gifts, sales or exchanges. You can also import inherited goods without paying duty and tax provided you can show proof that the goods have been willed or given to you as part of an estate.
If you include any tobacco products in your shipment, you will have to pay import duty and tax on them. There are also very tight controls around prohibited and restricted items such as medicines, drugs, objectionable and indecent articles, ornamental pipes, cannabis or methamphetamine utensils, firearms and weapons, and articles manufactured from wildlife. Please be aware that some goods are prohibited while others may require special permits to be imported.
It is important to be fully aware of the requirements. Visit the New Zealand Customs Service to obtain up to date detailed information such as Fact Sheet 28, Advice on Importing Goods into New Zealand.
New Zealand quarantine regulations
Biosecurity is vitally important to New Zealand as the country is more reliant on agriculture and the natural environment than any other developed country. New Zealand’s indigenous flora and fauna are precious to everyone. New Zealand has unique native species that are a core part of the natural heritage and culture, and people enjoy high quality agricultural products for lifestyle and well-being.
Unfortunately, importing personal effects can create a pathway for the introduction of unwanted pests and diseases. As a result, New Zealand has very strict controls set by the Ministry for Primary Industries. All shipments of household goods and personal effects entering New Zealand are subject to a quarantine inspection before they can be approved and released for entry into New Zealand.
We will undertake this inspection and release process on your behalf as part of our service. In order to do so, we will need you to complete an Unaccompanied Personal Baggage Declaration (NZCS218) and Personal Effects Supplementary Declaration (NZCS218A). We will submit these to the Ministry for Primary Industries together with the shipping inventory.
We do not charge quarantine inspection fees on shipments arriving in New Zealand.
Most households will have a number of restricted goods that must be declared. In some instances certain items may require some form of treatment before they are released for entry, and some may even be destroyed or ordered to be re-exported.
It is important to be fully aware of the requirements, so visit the Ministry for Primary Industries to obtain up to date detailed information such as Moving to New Zealand – What you need to know.
CITES Regulations
New Zealand has strict requirements for importing household items that contain CITES species. Common CITES items found in household moves include:
- Elephant ivory, which can be found in piano keys for example.
- Rosewood furniture.
- Hunting trophies, animal mounts and floor rugs.
- Wildlife souvenirs such as corals, some shells and animal skulls.
- Handbags or shoes made from crocodiles or snakes.
If your household lot contains any CITES species, you will need to obtain CITES permits before sending the items to New Zealand. Learn more about CITES at the New Zealand Department of Conservation.
Shipping your vehicle to New Zealand
Importing motor vehicles and motorcycles into New Zealand is highly regulated and there are a number of requirements you need to be aware of over and above our shipping services.
You can import motor vehicles and motorcycles into New Zealand provided they meet the applicable safety and emissions requirements. You must also have acceptable proof of entitlement of the vehicle, and standards of compliance at origin. Please visit the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) website where you can find the most up to date information. It is critical that you ensure your vehicle meets the requirements before considering shipping it to New Zealand.
Upon arrival in New Zealand, all motor vehicles and motorcycles will need to be cleared with New Zealand Customs. Depending on your residential status and length of ownership of your vehicle, you may be able to import it free of GST. Please visit the customs website to find more detailed information.
All motor vehicles and motorcycles will require a physical internal and external biosecurity inspection upon arrival in New Zealand by the Ministry for Primary Industries to ensure they are clean and free of any quarantine risk material. This is a service that we will arrange for you as part of our process, however if any risk material is found in or on your motor vehicle, motorcycle or trailer, then additional cleaning services may be required and incur additional expenses.
All motor vehicles require a border structural inspection in order to check for any structural and water damage, and to verify the particulars of the vehicle including, make, model, VIN or Chassis, and check the odometer reading. This will be conducted by Independent Verification Services Limited (IVS) and the results will be submitted to the NZTA.
All motor vehicles and motorcycles also must undergo an entry certification process with an entry certifier to verify and certify that it meets safety and emission standards, to check that it is in good condition, to decide if it needs any repairs or specialist certification, and to arrange a warrant of fitness (WOF) and registration.
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...- Review for All, Overseas to Australia
- 17 April, 2025