Container Shipping to New Zealand — Get Instant Quotes
Why Choose iContainers for Shipping to New Zealand?
Gateway flexibility — deep-sea berths at Tauranga, Auckland and Lyttelton plus growing capacity at Napier and Wellington.
Bio-security taken care of — our platform walks you through MPI’s Container & Cargo Import Health Standard (IHS) and brown-marmorated-stink-bug seasons so boxes aren’t diverted for fumigation. (mpi.govt.nz, mpi.govt.nz)
Transparent landed cost — most industrial goods clear at 0–5 % duty and 15 % GST; the totals appear automatically in your quote.
Air-freight fallback — Auckland Airport moved NZ $26.6 billion in cargo value during 2024 and is expanding its freight precinct, giving 3- to 5-day door-to-door options. (corporate.aucklandairport.co.nz)
Our Container Shipping Services to New Zealand
Full Container Load (FCL)
Large shippers move sealed 20 ', 40 ', 40 ' HC (and reefers for chilled meat, dairy and kiwifruit) into Tauranga (NZTRG), Auckland (NZAKL) and Lyttelton (NZLYT). FCL dominates long-haul electronics, machinery and log traffic.
Less-than-Container Load (LCL)
SMEs and e-commerce sellers use weekly LCL consolidations that devan in bonded depots at Auckland and Tauranga—typically saving 40-60 % versus paying for empty FCL space.
Popular mode: FCL for dairy, forestry and bulk retail; **LCL is booming among boutique wine exporters and Amazon-AU cross-dockers.
**Major ports / airport served: Tauranga, Auckland, Lyttelton; urgent shipments via Auckland Intl Airport (AKL).
Typical cargo: Dairy ingredients, chilled meat, wine, forestry products, industrial machinery.
Transit-time guide:
- Shanghai → Auckland: ≈ 20–22 days port-to-port.
- Los Angeles → Auckland: ≈ 19–21 days (long-beach loop).
- Rotterdam → Tauranga: ≈ 35–40 days south-bound via Suez.
Country-specific challenge: Every container is subject to MPI inspection; untreated wood or soil contamination triggers devanning fees—use ISPM-15 pallets and clean machinery.
Alternative option: Air freight via AKL slashes lead-time to 3–5 days for high-value pharmaceuticals and urgent ag-tech spares.
Container shipping rates to New Zealand
How much does it cost to ship a container to New Zealand?
How Long Does It Take?
- East Asia → North Island: 20–22 days
- US West Coast → North Island: 19–21 days
- North Europe → Tauranga / Lyttelton: 35–40 days
- Air freight via AKL: 3–5 days door-to-door
Popular Routes and Ports
Pacific loops run Shanghai / Ningbo → Tauranga → Auckland, while trans-Tasman feeders move cargo from Melbourne and Sydney to Lyttelton and Wellington twice weekly. North-Atlantic services discharge at Tauranga after Halifax. Rail and road corridors truck boxes to Hamilton, Palmerston North and the Waikato dairy belt within a day.
Steps to Book Your Container Shipment with iContainers
- Quote – enter origin, destination and cargo specs for an instant price.
- Upload documents – commercial invoice, packing list & HS codes (MPI IHS auto-filled).
- Book & pay securely online.
- Track vessel, customs and bio-security milestones in real time.
- Clear – pay duty (if any) + 15 % GST and release your box.
- Deliver – arrange final-mile truck or rail to cold-store, 3PL or FBA-AU cross-dock.
What Can You Ship in a Container to New Zealand?
| Common commodities | Restricted / Prohibited |
|---|---|
| Dairy powders & cheese | Untreated fresh produce without phytosanitary cert |
| Wine & spirits | Counterfeit brands |
| Forestry products & logs | Endangered timber species |
| Industrial machinery & ag-tech | Soil-contaminated equipment (must be cleaned) |
Main ports in New Zealand
FAQs About Shipping Containers to New Zealand
Most industrial goods are duty-free; add 15 % GST to the CIF value.
Not mandatory, but strongly recommended—add door-to-door cover at checkout.
Yes—under 15 m³ you avoid paying for unused FCL space, typically saving 40-60 %.
Secure space 6–8 weeks ahead of the October-December export surge to avoid roll-overs and congestion surcharges.