Car Shipping to Wellington
- Fast Information
- Cost starts from: £1695
- Roll on/Roll off: Yes ✓
- Container Shipping: Yes ✓
Shipping Your Car from the UK to Wellington, New Zealand: The Complete Guide
Shipping your vehicle from the UK to Wellington is a significant undertaking, but with Ship Cars Ltd, you have a trusted partner to navigate the entire process. New Zealand has some of the world’s most rigorous import regulations, particularly concerning biosecurity, which makes our dedicated container service the ideal and most secure method for this journey. This guide provides a complete, step-by-step overview of how we ensure your vehicle arrives safely and compliantly in Wellington.
Why Ship Your Vehicle to Wellington, New Zealand?
Wellington’s vibrant culture and stunning natural harbour make it a fantastic place to live. Having your own vehicle provides the freedom to explore the city’s hills and the wider Lower North Island with ease. Common reasons for shipping include:
- Relocation: Moving to Wellington for work, lifestyle, or family, and bringing your trusted vehicle to start your new life.
- Returning Residents/Kiwi Expats: New Zealand citizens returning home to Wellington and bringing their UK-purchased vehicle back with them.
- Classic and Specialist Vehicles: Importing a classic car, a specific model not readily available in New Zealand, or a project vehicle for restoration.
- Cost-Effectiveness and Familiarity: For certain models, shipping a car you already own and know the history of can be more economical and reassuring than buying a new vehicle in New Zealand.
Our Recommended Method: Dedicated Container Shipping
For the long and regulated journey to New Zealand, a dedicated container offers unparalleled security and compliance advantages.
- How it Works: Your vehicle is loaded into a private 20ft or 40ft steel shipping container. It is securely chocked and strapped down, and the container is sealed for a private, door-to-door journey. This method is mandatory if you wish to ship personal effects with your vehicle.
- Best For:
- All vehicles being shipped to New Zealand due to superior protection from the elements.
- Non-running vehicles – we can load non-operational cars.
- Customers wishing to ship personal belongings (subject to strict biosecurity rules).
- High-value and classic cars requiring the highest level of security.
To understand all your container options, you can read more on our International Container Shipping page.
Key Service Details & Pricing
Here is a clear breakdown of our dedicated container service to Wellington.
Transit Time & Frequency
- Average Transit Time: 60 days from the UK port to the port of Wellington. This timeframe includes ocean transit and port handling at both ends.
- Sailing Frequency: Vessels depart three times per month, providing regular and flexible scheduling.
Dedicated Container Pricing Guide
Our pricing for a dedicated 20ft container is straightforward, offering a flat rate for most standard vehicles.
| Vehicle Type | Example | Dedicated Container Price |
|---|---|---|
| Small / Standard Car | VW Golf, Ford Focus | £3,480 |
| Large SUV / 4×4 | Range Rover, BMW X5 | £3,480 |
Please contact us for a quote for a 40ft container or for vehicles of unusual dimensions.
Understanding the Cost Breakdown
The final price for shipping your car is composed of several key elements specific to the New Zealand route.
- Ocean Freight: The core cost of the dedicated container transport from the UK to Wellington.
- UK Port Fees: Handling and administrative charges at the departure port.
- New Zealand Port Fees: Including wharfage and port service charges in Wellington.
- Biosecurity Levy: A mandatory fee paid to the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) for inspection.
- Documentation: Our fee for professionally managing all complex UK export and New Zealand import paperwork.
- Insurance: An optional but highly recommended cost for risk coverage (detailed below).
- Vehicle Collection: An additional service fee if you choose for us to collect your vehicle from your UK address.
Paperwork Required for Shipping
New Zealand’s import process is documentation-heavy. Accuracy is paramount to avoid severe delays and fines.
Paperwork from the UK
- Vehicle Registration Document (V5C): The original logbook is mandatory for the UK export declaration.
- Proof of Identity & Ownership: A copy of your passport and a recent utility bill or bank statement.
For a full pre-shipment checklist, read our guide on Preparing Your Car for Export.
Paperwork for New Zealand Customs & Biosecurity
- Original Bill of Lading: The title document for the shipment, which we will provide.
- New Zealand Customs Declaration (CusDec): A completed import entry form.
- Import Entry Application: Lodged with the New Zealand Customs Service.
- Biosecurity Cleanliness Declaration: You must declare that the vehicle and any personal effects have been professionally cleaned to MPI standards.
- Evidence of Vehicle Compliance: Documentation proving the vehicle’s age and identity, required for the Land Transport Rules.
New Zealand Import Rules, Duty & Biosecurity
Compliance is the most critical part of importing a vehicle into New Zealand.
Biosecurity: The Absolute Priority
New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is extremely vigilant to prevent the introduction of foreign soil, seeds, or pests.
- Requirement: The vehicle must be professionally steam cleaned or detailed prior to shipment. This includes a thorough cleaning of the undercarriage, wheel arches, engine bay, and interior. You must obtain and provide a receipt as proof.
- Personal Effects: Any personal items shipped in the container must be declared, be clean, and may be inspected. Many items are prohibited (see below).
- Consequence: Failure to comply will result in the vehicle being cleaned at the arrival port at your expense (costing hundreds of dollars) and significant delays.
Duty and Taxes
- Goods and Services Tax (GST): 15% is payable on the vehicle’s landed cost (CIF value: Cost + Insurance + Freight).
- Import Duty: Typically 10% for most passenger vehicles, though this can vary.
- Customs Entry Fee: A fixed fee for processing the import.
Vehicle Standards
All imported vehicles must comply with the Land Transport Rules. For most used vehicles, this involves being inspected by an approved compliance workshop before it can be registered and driven.
Official Links:
- New Zealand Customs
- Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) – Importing Vehicles
- Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency – Importing a Vehicle
Vehicle Preparation & Insurance
Preparing Your Vehicle for Shipping
This step is non-negotiable for New Zealand.
- Professional Cleaning: A professional clean with a focus on the underside is mandatory. Keep the receipt.
- Fuel Level: The tank should be no more than 1/4 full.
- Personal Belongings: Permitted in a dedicated container but must be declared on a full inventory and are subject to inspection. All items must be clean.
- Alarm Systems: Disable them to prevent battery drain.
- Vehicle Condition: Non-running vehicles are accepted for container shipping.
For a detailed guide, read: How to Prepare Your Car for Shipping.
Insurance & Risk Coverage
Protect your investment on the long voyage.
| Coverage Type | Cost | What’s Covered | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Loss Cover | 1% of (Vehicle Value + Shipping Cost) | Total loss only, due to fire or water damage. | – |
| Comprehensive Cover | 1.5% of (Vehicle Value + Shipping Cost) | Covers total loss, fire, water damage, and cosmetic damage. | Vehicle must be under 10 years old. A condition report is mandatory. |
About the Condition Report: This pre-shipping inspection is free of charge if we collect your vehicle. If you deliver the vehicle to us, a fee of £35 applies.
Vehicle Collection & What’s Allowed
How We Collect Your Vehicle
We offer two convenient options:
- You Deliver: You can deliver your vehicle to our designated UK port.
- We Collect: We can collect your vehicle from your home or workplace using a transporter or trade plate driver.
- Requirements for Collection: The vehicle must have a valid MOT and be fully operational to be driven.
Vehicle & Item Restrictions
Adherence to these rules is essential.
- Allowed Vehicles:
- Petrol and Diesel vehicles.
- Hybrid vehicles are allowed.
- Electric vehicles are allowed but are subject to a hazard surcharge of £295.
- Prohibited Items: The following are strictly forbidden and will result in severe fines and destruction of goods:
- All flammable liquids, gases, and explosives.
- Weapons, ammunition, and narcotics.
- Plants, seeds, soil, flowers, and any biological material.
- Food items of any kind (including sealed packages).
- Animal products, honey, and used outdoor equipment (e.g., hiking boots, tents) must be declared and professionally cleaned.
Essential Resources for a Successful Shipment
The journey to New Zealand is complex. Being prepared is key:
- Top 10 Mistakes People Make During International Car Shipping – Essential reading to avoid common, costly errors, especially with NZ biosecurity.
- Avoiding Damage with International Car Shipping – Proactive steps to protect your vehicle.
Ready to Ship Your Car to Wellington?
Shipping your vehicle to Wellington is a detailed process, but with Ship Cars Ltd as your partner, you can be confident it’s in expert hands. We manage the UK export, the dedicated container freight to Wellington, and guide you through the complexities of New Zealand’s strict biosecurity and import requirements.
Contact us today for a detailed, no-obligation quote. Let us help you get your vehicle to Wellington safely, compliantly, and efficiently.
