How much does it cost to ship a container to New Zealand

Ocean freight shipping costs from New York to Napier, New Zealand start at around $2,500 and range to $4,000 and may take up to three weeks time. Shipping rates to New Zealand vary by country but costs typically start at 850+ for a 20-foot container. The United States is a large trading partner with New Zealand, accounting for $3.9 billion in exported goods and $4.15 billion in imported goods. Top imports include industrial machinery, vehicles, medical supplies and pharmaceuticals, and plastics. Top exports include dairy, prepared foods, pet food, fresh fruit, and tree nuts.

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Historical ocean freight rates from the USA to New Zealand

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On the historical chart above you can see the average price of the sea freight from USA to New Zealand during the past 18 months. These figures don´t include any additional or unexpected cost incurred during the booking and shipping process.
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Main ports in New Zealand

If you’re having to choose the best port in New Zealand to ship your container to, you’ve come to the right place! iContainers operates in 11 ports in New Zealand from the United States and 7 ports in New Zealand from Spain. Enjoy the best rates for ocean freight transport and ship to the port of your choice.

FAQs about shipping your container to New Zealand

What is the estimated transit time for shipping a container to New Zealand?

The longest transit time to ship a container to New Zealand is the route Bilbao (Spain) – Auckland (76 days on average) whereas the shortest is the route Long Beach (USA) – Auckland (13 days). As you can see, transit time is heavily conditioned by the chosen route as well as the distance between the port of origin and the destination port.

What type of cargo can be sent in a container?

Although not refrigerated or ventilated, standard dry shipping containers are the most frequently used kind since they are an effective option for transportation of dry bulk. Available in a range of sizes and capacity, they are most suitable for transportation of non-perishable cargo such as manufactured goods. However, if your shipment includes sensitive goods, dry shipping containers may not be your best choice.

How do you figure out shipping cost to New Zealand?

Your cargo’s dimensions, the container you need, your chosen Incoterm and the transit time for your shipment are some of the factors that will determine how much you will pay for your ocean freight. Other typical considerations to take into account include the type of goods you’ll be transporting – i.e., you are likely to have to factor in extra costs for hazardous or sensitive cargo.

What container capacity do I need for my cargo?

There are four different volume capacities to choose from among standard dry shipping containers, the lowest being at 1,172 CFT / 33.2 CBM and the highest at 3,122 CFT / 88.4 CBM. This standardization allows shippers to figure out which container is best based on their cargo’s volume. However, for smaller-dimension shipment, using a Shared Container (LCL) may be more cost-effective since you will only pay for the portion of the container your cargo takes up.

FOB vs CIF: What´s the difference?

FOB and CIF Incoterms often generate confusion among shippers, since the agreement terms can sometimes be misleading. The basic difference between the two lies in the extent of the responsibility held by the buyer and the seller. According to the FOB terms, sellers hold liability of the goods until they’re loaded on the vessel. Under CIF, however, sellers hold on to this responsibility until the goods arrive at the destination port.

What paperwork is needed for international shipments to New Zealand?

As a general rule of thumb, paperwork required for ocean freight can be sorted into two types: documents that you will invariably have to deal with regardless of the details of your shipment – a Bill of Lading, a commercial invoice or a packing list, for instance – and those that will vary according to aspects such as country-specific formalities or the type of goods involved in the transaction.

Importing From Asia In 2022

Discover how to import or export from/to China, India or Vietnam and avoid delays on your cargo. Includes Incoterms and documents.

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Klaus Lydsal

"Customs duties play an important role in your international shipment. How they're determined and calculated varies from country to country"

Klaus Lydsal, vice president of operations at iContainers