You are planning a Shipping New Zealand for vehicles, machines or general cargo? Then you need a clear overview: Which routes make sense, how do you realistically calculate, and what does New Zealand require in terms of customs & biosecurity?
This guide brings together everything relevant - from routing and transit times to documents, import taxes, MPI biosecurity and NZTA authorisation rules. We also provide links to official bodies and practical resources from ODS Orient.
New Zealand is geographically far away, but very well connected via container and RoRo networks.
Transshipments are frequent - early planning with Live data from the timetables is essential.
Note biosecurity: The New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) requires that vehicles and machines Free from soil, plant residues and pests are. Violations can lead to cleaning, delay or rejection.
A customised offer is necessary as prices fluctuate. Typical influencing factors:
Note: Flat rates are dubious - use real consignment data.
| Criterion | RoRo | Container (FCL/LCL) |
|---|---|---|
| Ideal for | Vehicles, machines | Parts, palletised goods |
| Handling | Vehicle rolls on board | Craning, palletising |
| Plannability | Fewer harbours/frequency | Dense global network |
| Protection | Lashing/covers | Protected in a container |
| Cost logic | Vehicle-specific, OOG if necessary | Freight + surcharges + terminal costs |
More basicsChecklist for RoRo shipping
| Start region | Ports of departure | Destination ports NZ | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Bremerhaven, Zeebrugge | Auckland, Tauranga | Frequent transshipment |
| Mediterranean Sea | Barcelona, Livorno | Napier, Auckland | Seasonal frequency differences |
| East Coast USA | Baltimore, NY | Auckland | widely used for vehicles |
| Asia | Busan, HK, Kaohsiung | Auckland, Tauranga | Highest frequency |
Use Live timetables for daily ETD/ETA.
Source: New Zealand Customs + Tariff Finder
Source: MPI biosecurity rules + BMSB page
Responsible: Waka Kotahi / NZTA
| Range | Mandatory/Recommended | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | Compulsory | VIN, brand, values, origin |
| Packing list | Compulsory | Quantity, weight, serial number |
| B/L (sea waybill) | Compulsory | Identical to Invoice/Packing list |
| Customs declaration (NZ) | Compulsory | via Customs/Broker |
| MPI-Biosecurity | Compulsory | Proof of cleaning, BMSB status |
| NZTA data | Mandatory (vehicles) | Entry certification documents |
| Insurance | recommended | All-Risk + protocols |
A successful Shipping New Zealand succeeds with planning, compliance and the right tools:
Whether RoRo or container: the method must suit the freight and your schedule. Start with the Timetable check and claim your customised offer to.
Disclaimer: All information without guarantee. You can obtain legally binding information from the official authorities.
As of 2025, the shipping industry is on the brink of change: from 2026, several CO₂-related changes affecting data, processes and contracts will take effect at the IMO (International Maritime Organisation) - with a direct impact on offers, transit times and surcharges. In this guide, we explain what the imo co2 regulations 2026 mean in concrete terms, how CII/EEXI and the IMO DCS are developing, [...]
Anyone shipping their vehicle by roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) wants to keep track of everything from the first gate scan to unloading. Modern shipping company portals, terminal data and global AIS position updates make this possible - provided you set up your roro tracking system correctly and interpret the status messages correctly. In this guide, we show you how tracking at sea really works, which sources [...]
