Trans-Tasman Removals for Moving to New Zealand
Helping people and their families move to New Zealand is what we do best. With branches throughout New Zealand in Auckland, Tauranga, Napier, Wellington, Nelson 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.
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 while you concentrate on everything else. So if you're a returning Kiwi or going to live here for the first time, let us help you on your journey to New Zealand.
- How Much Will it Cost
- Economy Sea Freight
- Customs Regulations
- Quarantine Regulations
- CITES Regulations
- Vehicle Shipping
How Much Will it Cost to Move to New Zealand
There are several key elements 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 to?
- How much do you need to move, i.e. full household or just a few items?
- Do you have any items that require special handling, i.e. a piano?
- When do you want to move?
- Do you require Careful Packing of your boxes?
- Do you require Secure Storage?
- We also have Easy Insurance available as well.
Economy Sea Freight to New Zealand
We provide Economy Container Sea Freight service. This is where your goods are loaded into a shared container with other peoples goods and you only pay for the space your goods take up. With a shared container it is not always possible to advise shipping dates as they are subject to a container being filled with other peoples goods. 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 your destination at the time.
New Zealand Customs Regulations
When moving goods to New Zealand it is important to know that your goods 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 Customs together with your inventory of goods being shipped.
As a general rule you are able to 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 ther legal right to reside in New Zealand. The goods should also be for your own personal use and not for gift, sale or exchange. 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 the 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 goods such as medicines, drugs, objectionable/indecent articles, ornamental pipes, cannabis or methamphetamine utensils, firearms and weapons, articles manufactured from wildlife. Please be aware that some goods are prohibited while others may require special permits for importation.
It is important to be fully aware of the requirements, thus it is essential to visit 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 we are more reliant on agriculture and our natural environment than any other developed country. Our indigenous flora and fauna are precious to New Zealanders and tourists alike. We have unique native species that are a core part of our natural heritage and culture, and we pride ourselves on enjoying high standards for our agricultural products, lifestyle and wellbeing. Unfortunately the importation of personal effects can create a pathway for the introduction of unwanted pests and diseases. As a result there are very strict controls put in placed 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 released and ok 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 MPI together with the inventory being shipped.
SPECIAL NOTE: We do not charge Quarantine Inspection Fees on shipments upon arrival to New Zealand.
Most households will have a number of restricted goods that must declared. In some instances certain items may require some form of treatment before they are released for entry, some may even be destroyed or ordered to be re-exported.
It is important to be fully aware of the requirements, thus it is essential to 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 (eq piano keys)
- rosewood furniture
- hunting trophies (eq animal mounts, floor rungs)
- wildlife souvenirs (eq corals, some shells, animal skulls)
- handbags or shoes made from crocodile or snake.
If the household lot containes CITES species you will need to obtain CITES permits before sending the items to New Zealand. Learn More.
Shipping Your Vehicle to New Zealand
The importation of motor vehicles and motorcycles into New Zealand is highly regulated and as such there are a number of requirements you need to be aware of over and beyond our shipping services.
New Zealand allows the importation of motor vehicles and motorcycles provided they meet 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 will find the most up to date information. It is critical that you ensure your vehicle meets the requirements before considering shipping to NZ.
Upon arrival in NZ 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 their website where you will find detailed information.
All motor vehicles and motorcycles will require a physical internal and external biosecurity inspection upon arrival to 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, 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.
Next all motor vehicles and motorcycles must under go an entry certification process with an entry certifier to verify and certify that it meets safety and emission standards, check that it is in good condition, decide if it needs any repairs or specialist certification, arrange warrant of fitness (WOF) and registration.
