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CAR SHIPPING TO NEW ZEALAND FROM USA WITH WEST COAST SHIPPING

Ship a Car to New Zealand from the USA: Get Instant Shipping Rates

Ship your car to New Zealand from the USA with a reliable export partner using shared & dedicated container shipping and air freight. Since 2007, we’ve transported thousands of vehicles to New Zealand from across the US—auctions, dealers, and private sellers—for both retail customers and wholesale importers.

Save on international car shipping to New Zealand with our consolidated container service from California, Florida, and New Jersey. Use our car shipping calculator to get instant rates to Auckland and other major New Zealand ports.

Frequent importer or dealer? Request wholesale container shipping rates to New Zealand below.

Calculate Shipping Rates To New Zealand:

West Coast Shipping

Why Choose West Coast Shipping to Ship a Car from the USA to New Zealand?

With nearly 20 years of experience shipping cars from the USA to New Zealand, we’ve helped thousands of customers navigate the entire export and import process. Our door-to-door New Zealand car shipping service includes:

  • Car shipping from the USA to New Zealand via shared and dedicated containers
  • Air freight options for urgent car shipments to major New Zealand airports
  • Weekly container consolidation to Auckland, Lyttelton and Wellington
  • Save up to 50% with our shared container shipping to Auckland, Lyttleton, and Wellington
  • US-based depots in California, New Jersey, and Florida for convenient vehicle drop-off
  • Reliable import agents and customs clearance assistance

Calculate your New Zealand car import costs instantly with our car shipping calculator, including ocean freight, US export fees, and New Zealand duties and GST.

Get Your New Zealand Car Shipping Rate

We collect your vehicle from anywhere in the US using open or enclosed car transporters. The car is then transported to our nearest export warehouse in California, Florida or New Jersey.

You always have the option to deliver/drop off the vehicle yourself.

With nearly 2 decades of experience in loading containers, we make sure that your cars are safely secured for their journey overseas.

Our team works closely with US Customs to clear cars for export.

For a seamless car import experience, we work with reliable partners worldwide to ensure your cars arrive safely and are properly cleared with import customs.

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Export Locations

We ship cars to Poti port in Georgia from our US warehouses in California, Florida, and New Jersey. Free storage available before loading. Each week, we load container shipments to Georgia and can accommodate both shared and dedicated containers.

Learn more about our locations here.

International Car Shipping Methods

AIRPLANE

Need your vehicle fast? Air freight delivers in just 3-10 days, making it the quickest shipping option—significantly faster than container or RoRo shipping. Exact timing depends on customs and documentation.

SHIPPING CONTAINER

Our containers fit 1-4 vehicles—running or non-running—and offer cost-saving consolidation shipping. For high-value cars, we provide dedicated 20ft or 40ft containers.

RORO VESSEL

RoRo shipping requires vehicles to be operational and empty. Available ports and rates vary. Note: This method is only available for oversized cars

RORO VESSEL

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What Vehicles Can We Ship to New Zealand?

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Vehicles

We safely transport all types of personal vehicles to New Zealand with reliable, cost-efficient shipping options tailored to your needs.

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Motocycle

Shipping a motorcycle internationally can feel overwhelming, but we make the process simple, secure, and fully guided from pickup to delivery.

Motocycle
Importing_Electric_and_Hybrid_Vehicles_to_the_U.S._2025_Guide

Electric & Hybrid Cars

EVs and hybrids require special handling and documentation. Our team ensures your electric vehicle is shipped safely and meets New Zealand compliance standards.

Ship_Rally_Cars_International

Race & Rally Cars

We specialize in transporting race and rally cars with the care and protection required for high-value performance vehicles.

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Classic Cars

Classic and vintage vehicles deserve expert handling. Our team provides secure, enclosed, and monitored transport to protect your collector car every step of the way.

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Luxury Cars

From high-end sedans to exotic sports cars, we offer premium shipping solutions designed to protect luxury vehicles during the entire journey.

Shipping_Salvage_&_Non_Running_Cars_to_Ghana

Salvage & Project Cars

We regularly ship salvage, damaged, and project cars to New Zealand. Whether your vehicle is partially running or in need of repair, we can handle secure transport and all required documentation.

Heavy_Machinery

Heavy Machinery

From construction machinery to agricultural equipment, we offer secure solutions for shipping heavy units of all sizes to New Zealand.

Oversized_Vehicles

Oversized Vehicles

If your vehicle exceeds standard dimensions, we can help. Our oversized shipping options handle trucks, vans, large SUVs, and custom-built vehicles.

NEW ZEALAND CAR SHIPPING COSTS

How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car from the USA to New Zealand?

The typical cost to ship a car to New Zealand from the US starts at $2000 per car, depending on the destination.

Our shared container service makes shipping cars from the USA to New Zealand more affordable, often saving up to 50% compared to single-vehicle containers.

Optional Cargo Damage Protection is available for additional peace of mind.

Porsche 911 GT3 cup car

Get Instant New Zealand Rates

Our car shipping calculator provides instant New Zealand car shipping rates from anywhere in the USA, so you can compare options and lock in today’s price.

SHIPPING TIMES TO NEW ZEALAND

Transit times from USA to New Zealand vary by departure location:

  • 1-2 weeks for customs clearance and container loading at US ports
  • Additional week if using shared container consolidation service
  • Transit to Port of Auckland: 25-30 days
  • Transit to other ports (Lyttleton/Wellington): 35-40 days

ADDITIONAL COSTS TO CONSIDER

  • Vehicle Collection: Fees vary by pickup location in USA
  • Import Duties: Contact New Zealand Customs for current rates
  • Cargo Protection: Optional insurance coverage available
  • Port Handling: Additional fees at New Zealand ports

PAYMENT OPTIONS

We accept wire transfers, checks, and ban deposits only. Read more about banking fees when paying from overseas.

We do not accept credit card payments.

Auckland_Port

Direct Shipping to Auckland

We ship all vehicles straight to the Port of Auckland, offering fast clearance, reliable handling, and seamless delivery across New Zealand.

NEW ZEALAND CAR SHIPPING ports

Ports & Cities We Serve

Auckland

We ship all vehicles directly to the Port of Auckland, the main entry point for international car imports into New Zealand. Auckland offers the fastest processing times, easy access to compliance centers, and reliable inland transport options for onward delivery across the country.

If you need assistance with port pickup, customs support, or local delivery, our team can coordinate the full process for a smooth arrival in Auckland.

Calculate Shipping Cost

NEW ZEALAND CAR SHIPPING mpi

New Zealand Quarantine & Cleaning Requirements (MPI)

New Zealand has some of the strictest biosecurity standards in the world.
Before your vehicle can be released, it must pass an MPI (Ministry for Primary Industries) quarantine inspection. This includes checking for dirt, soil, plant material, seeds, and any organic residue in the exterior, wheels, engine bay, interior, and undercarriage.

To avoid delays or extra cleaning fees, we recommend making sure your vehicle is thoroughly cleaned before shipping. Our team will guide you through all MPI requirements to ensure your car arrives compliant and ready for clearance.

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MPI Compliance Made Easy

WCS guides you through New Zealand’s strict quarantine requirements and helps ensure your vehicle arrives clean, compliant, and ready for inspection.

“Excellent communication and genuine interest in our vehicles well being throughout the whole process. Highly recommend them for all your vehicle shipping needs!”
Alexander
San Francisco, California

Vehicle Protection for Shipping a Car to New Zealand

Protect your vehicle during international car shipping from the USA to New Zealand with our Cargo Damage Protection. This optional insurance-style coverage safeguards your car from the moment it arrives at our US warehouse through container loading, ocean transit and delivery in New Zealand. Most standard auto policies don’t cover international shipping, and without Cargo Damage Protection our liability is limited to $500 under the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act.

Key Protection Features:

  • Comprehensive door-to-door coverage
  • Protection during container shipping
  • Coverage during inland transit
  • Secure loading/unloading
  • Full transit protection for classic cars
Learn More
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container-shipping

Wholesale Car Shipping & Import Solutions to New Zealand

We provide high-volume dealers, auctions, wholesalers and event organizers with turn-key car shipping solutions from the USA to New Zealand and the rest of the world.

  • End-to-end container solutions for bulk car shipping from the USA to New Zealand and other global markets
  • Nationwide vehicle collection, export documentation and customs clearance
  • Private export warehouses in CA, FL and NJ for storage, loading and consolidation
  • Vehicle and parts consolidation for dealers, auctions and fleet buyers
  • Use our carrier contracts or your own preferred ocean carrier
  • Flexibility to work with your own New Zealand import agent on dedicated containers
  • Expedited air-freight options for urgent New Zealand shipments
Explore Wholesale Solutions

Documents Required to Ship a Car from the USA to New Zealand

Shipping your car from the USA to New Zealand means clearing US export customs and preparing all ownership paperwork before your vehicle can leave the country. Below are the key documents required to ship a car from the USA to New Zealand:

  • Bill of Sale for the vehicle
  • Original Vehicle Title (If there's a lien on the car, a lien release letter is also required)
  • Power of Attorney form
  • Completed Online Shipping Form
  • Copy of Passport (If you are an international citizen without a US passport)
  • Copy of EIN Letter (If you are a US citizen)

Please note: some US states do not issue titles for older or classic cars (for example Alabama, Connecticut, Georgia, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont). If your vehicle does not have a title, additional steps may be needed before it can be shipped to New Zealand. Our team can advise you on the best option for your specific vehicle.

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Dedicated Export Team

Our dedicated export team manages all US customs and export procedures for your New Zealand shipment, ensuring your vehicle is properly cleared, documented and ready to load before it leaves the USA.

roro_lp

RoRo Shipping to New Zealand for Oversized Vehicles

RoRo shipping to New Zealand is a practical solution for transporting oversized vehicles and heavy machinery that cannot fit inside a standard container.

Key RoRo Details

  • Best suited for oversized vehicles, construction equipment, tractors, buses, and heavy machinery
  • Drive-on/drive-off loading reduces handling but offers no enclosed protection like containers
  • Schedules and pricing vary based on unit size and vessel availability — not necessarily cheaper than container shipping

Interested in RoRo shipping?
Check our RoRo service page to compare options and request a personalized quote for oversized vehicles.

Calculate RoRo Shipping Cost

Car Import Process in New Zealand

Shipping Cost & Duties:

Shipping Cost & Duties:

  • Base shipping cost: $2000 - 3300 per car
  • Harbor Maintenance Fee (HMF): 0.125% of cargo value (except air freight)
  • Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF): 0.3464% of cargo value (minimum $31.67, maximum $614.35)

Duty Exemptions:

  • Car was originally built for US market
  • Vehicle is being re-imported by original US owner
  • Car was manufactured in USA
Calculate Cost

Car Import Process from USA to New Zealand

Shipping a car from the USA to New Zealand involves a clear export and import process that we’ve refined over nearly two decades. Whether you’re moving a daily driver, classic car, motorcycle or project vehicle, our international car shipping team handles every step from pickup in the USA to arrival in New Zealand.

Our streamlined process makes transporting cars from the USA to New Zealand simple and predictable: we confirm eligibility, prepare US export paperwork, load your car into a container, ship to New Zealand and coordinate customs, MPI inspection and release. Some vehicles with modifications may require extra approvals, but most US cars move through this process smoothly when all documents are in order.

Key Benefits of Our New Zealand Car Shipping Process:

  • Door-to-door shipping service from any US location
  • Weekly container consolidation to major New Zealand ports
  • Complete customs clearance and documentation handling
  • Secure vehicle transport at both origin and destination

Registering Your Car in New Zealand

Registering your car after shipping from USA to New Zealand requires several key steps and documents.

The process varies by country but typically includes:

Essential Documentation:

  • Foreign registration certificate and proof of ownership
  • Customs duty and import VAT payment records
  • Vehicle approval certificates (safety & environmental)
  • Original Bill of Sale and shipping documents

Key Registration Requirements:

  • Complete country-specific registration forms
  • Pass local vehicle inspections
  • Pay applicable registration fees and taxes
  • Obtain New Zealand insurance coverage

We guide you through the entire process of shipping cars to New Zealand, including registration requirements and documentation.

West Coast Shipping in the News

Frequently Asked Questions About New Zealand Car Shipping

What is the cost to ship a car from the USA to New Zealand?

The cost to ship a car from the USA to New Zealand typically ranges from $2000 - 3300, depending on the vehicle's location and the destination port in New Zealand. Additional destination charges may apply.

How long does it take to ship a car to New Zealand?

Shipping a car to New Zealand from the USA generally takes 25-40 days, depending on the departure location and the New Zealand port. Using a shared container service may add an additional week.

What documents are required for importing a car to New Zealand?

To import a car to New Zealand, you need the original vehicle title, Bill of Sale, Power of Attorney form, and a completed shipping form. Additional documents may be required for customs clearance.

Are there import duties and taxes when shipping a car to New Zealand?

Yes, when importing a car into New Zealand, you must pay import duties and VAT. As of 2016, the duty is 10% and the VAT is 15%. Check the latest rates with New Zealand Customs.

What are the best ports for shipping cars to New Zealand?

The best port for shipping cars to New Zealand is Auckland. This port offer efficient customs clearance and is well-equipped to handle vehicle imports.

What shipping methods are available to New Zealand?

WCS offers:

-Container shipping (best for most cars & motorcycles)
-RoRo shipping (best for oversized vehicles & machinery)

Most customers choose container shipping for better protection and predictable rates.

Do I need protection when shipping a car to New Zealand?

Protection is optional but strongly recommended to safeguard your vehicle during transit. WCS offers Cargo Damage Protection, which provides coverage for unexpected damage that may occur while your vehicle is being transported.

Can classic or luxury cars be shipped to New Zealand?

Absolutely. These vehicles are typically shipped in exclusive or shared containers for maximum safety and protection.

Are there restrictions on the types of vehicles allowed into New Zealand?

Most vehicles can be imported, but they must meet NZTA safety/emissions rules and MPI biosecurity cleaning standards. Damaged, modified, oversized, electric, and left-hand-drive vehicles are allowed but may require extra inspections or special approvals.

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