A guide to shipping your belongings to New Zealand
New Zealand is about as far from the UK as you can go, which makes planning your shipment more important than for almost any other move. This guide covers shipping belongings to New Zealand from the UK for students, professionals, families, retirees and anyone with a few extra boxes. You will find costs, transit times, New Zealand’s biosecurity rules, the customs forms you need and how to ship things home again.
| from £180 one suitcase by sea |
from £550 around 1 cubic metre Groupage |
8 to 12 weeks sea freight door to door |
7 to 10 days air freight door to door |
Checked October 2026. All prices are indicative “from” figures for door to door shipping and are confirmed when you book. Customs and biosecurity rules change, so check the official source before you pack.
Your shipping options at a glance
Six options cover almost every move to New Zealand. Choose by volume first, then by how soon you need your things.
| Option | Typical cost | Transit time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airline excess bag | £60 to £120 per extra bag, per leg; a 23kg case at the check-in desk can pass £400 on long haul | Arrives with you | One extra bag you need on day one |
| Excess baggage by sea | From around £180 for one 23kg suitcase | 8 to 12 weeks | A few cases of clothes and personal items |
| Excess baggage by air | From around £320 for one 23kg suitcase | 7 to 10 days | Items you need soon after landing |
| Shipping boxes by sea | From around £290 for three to five boxes (around 0.5 cubic metres) | 8 to 12 weeks | Students and light movers |
| Sea freight Groupage | From around £550 for around 1 cubic metre | 8 to 12 weeks | Small flat contents or a few pieces of furniture |
| FCL (20ft or 40ft container) | Quoted on survey | 8 to 12 weeks | Full home moves |
For suitcases, see baggage shipping to New Zealand. For boxes, see shipping boxes to New Zealand. Groupage and container options are on our freight to New Zealand page.
Shipping options by persona
The right service depends on who you are and how much you are moving. Here is how each type of mover usually ships to New Zealand.
Students
Students heading to Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch or Dunedin usually ship three to five boxes by sea, from around £290. New Zealand’s academic year starts in late February, so book sea freight by late November. Delivery can go to halls or a private flat. See student shipping for details.
Professionals relocating for work
Skilled workers often arrive on a work visa with a few weeks of temporary accommodation. Air freight for essentials, from around £320 a suitcase, bridges the gap until your sea freight lands. Keep your visa and job offer handy, as customs will ask about your residency status.
Families moving home
Families normally use a 20ft or 40ft FCL container. Outdoor items such as trampolines, bikes, barbecues and camping kit are a big part of most family loads, and every one of them must be clean for biosecurity. Start with a free video survey and see our removals to New Zealand page.
Retirees
Retirees joining family, often on a parent visa, tend to ship a smaller Groupage load of furniture, photos and keepsakes. Antique wooden furniture is allowed, but it may be inspected for insects, so check it before packing.
A few extra boxes or excess baggage
For a couple of extra cases, shipping by sea from around £180 each is usually cheaper than long haul airline excess. See our excess baggage options.
What it costs to ship your belongings to New Zealand
Anglo Pacific prices by volume, door to door, and fixes the price when you book. The figures below are starting points from the UK; your quote depends on your exact volume, collection postcode and delivery address.
| Shipment | Approximate volume | Sea freight from | Air freight from |
|---|---|---|---|
| One suitcase | Up to 23kg | around £180 | around £320 |
| Three to five boxes | around 0.5 cubic metres | around £290 | Quoted on inventory |
| Small flat contents (Groupage) | around 1 cubic metre | around £550 | Quoted on inventory |
| One bedroom flat (Groupage or 20ft FCL) | around 10 to 15 cubic metres | Quoted on survey | Rarely cost effective |
| Three to four bedroom house (40ft FCL) | around 50 to 65 cubic metres | Quoted on survey | Not suitable |
New Zealand destination costs can include MPI biosecurity inspection fees, port charges and any cleaning or treatment required. Your quote will set out what is included.
How long shipping to New Zealand takes
Sea freight to New Zealand often routes via Australia or Asia, so allow the full window.
| Service | Door to door transit | Book ahead by |
|---|---|---|
| Excess baggage or boxes by air | 7 to 10 days | 2 to 3 weeks |
| Excess baggage or boxes by sea | 8 to 12 weeks | 8 to 12 weeks |
| Sea freight Groupage | 8 to 12 weeks, plus time to consolidate | 8 to 12 weeks |
| FCL container | 8 to 12 weeks | 8 to 12 weeks |
Groupage needs extra time to fill a container, and inspections at Auckland or other ports can add a few days.
What you can and cannot ship to New Zealand
New Zealand’s biosecurity rules are set by the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), and customs is handled by the New Zealand Customs Service.
| Category | Rule |
|---|---|
| Food | Most food must be declared and much of it is restricted, including meat, dairy, fresh produce, honey and seeds. Leave food out of your shipment. |
| Soil, plants and seeds | Not allowed. Clean every trace of soil from footwear, garden tools, bikes and outdoor furniture. |
| Outdoor and sports gear | Allowed if thoroughly clean. Tents, fishing gear and golf clubs are commonly inspected. |
| Wooden items and wicker | Allowed if free of bark, insects and damage. Expect inspection. |
| Medicines | Bring them in original packaging with a prescription. Some medicines are restricted. |
| Weapons | Firearms need a permit from the New Zealand Police. Some knives and self defence items are prohibited. |
| Alcohol and tobacco | Duty and GST usually apply when sent as unaccompanied goods. |
If in doubt, check MPI and the New Zealand Customs Service before you pack. This is general guidance and not legal advice.
Customs paperwork for New Zealand
Personal and household items you have owned and used may enter free of duty and GST if you are moving to New Zealand for the first time or returning after a period away, subject to conditions. You will normally need:
- An Unaccompanied Personal Baggage Declaration (form NZCS 218) from the New Zealand Customs Service
- A copy of your passport and New Zealand visa or proof of residency
- A detailed inventory, with a separate list of any new items
- Your arrival date and flight details
Anglo Pacific prepares the paperwork with you, and our New Zealand agent handles clearance and the MPI inspection. This is general guidance and not legal advice.
Pros and cons of shipping instead of flying with it
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Far cheaper than airline excess fees once you send two or more bags | Sea freight needs several weeks of notice |
| Collection from any UK address, including halls and family homes | Someone must be available to receive the delivery |
| Door to door with customs paperwork prepared for you | Restricted and prohibited items cannot be shipped |
| Scales from one suitcase to a full container | Your inventory must be accurate for customs |
New Zealand rewards the organised mover: book early, clean everything that has touched the ground and declare anything you are unsure about.
Ten packing tips for shipping to New Zealand
- Use double walled boxes. Supermarket boxes are rarely strong enough for an international move.
- Pack heavy items in small boxes and light, bulky items in large ones. Keep each box to around 30kg.
- Fill every gap with paper or soft items so nothing moves in transit.
- Vacuum pack bedding and winter clothes to cut volume, which cuts cost.
- Number every box and keep a matching inventory. Customs will ask for it.
- Clean tents, boots, golf clubs and fishing gear until there is no soil, sand or plant matter left.
- Wrap electricals in their original packaging where you can, and remove batteries from devices that do not need them.
- Label each box with your name, destination address and phone number on two sides.
- Keep passports, visas, medication, laptops and jewellery with you on the plane.
- Take photos of valuable items before packing in case you need to make an insurance claim.
Shipping your belongings back to the UK from New Zealand
The same services run in reverse through partner agents in New Zealand, so you can send boxes, excess baggage or a full home back to any UK address. Working holiday makers and returning families are the most common users of the reverse service.
- Transfer of Residence relief. If you are moving your normal home to the UK, you may be able to bring personal belongings in free of duty and import VAT by applying for Transfer of Residence relief (form ToR1) on GOV.UK before your goods arrive. In general you must have lived outside the UK for at least 12 consecutive months and owned and used the items for at least 6 months.
- Students. If you studied in the UK on a study visa and are returning with used personal belongings, relief may apply. Confirm the position when you get your quote.
- Restricted goods. The UK also controls meat, dairy, plants and some medicines. Check the GOV.UK guidance on bringing goods into the UK before you pack.
- Timing. Allow the same transit time in reverse: 8 to 12 weeks by sea and 7 to 10 days by air.
This is general guidance and not legal advice.
Moving money to New Zealand
If you are moving savings or a house sale deposit, a specialist currency provider such as Halo Financial can help you fix an exchange rate ahead of your move. This is general information, not financial advice.
Frequently asked questions
1. What is the cheapest way to ship belongings to New Zealand from the UK?
Sea freight is usually cheapest, from around £180 for one suitcase or around £290 for three to five boxes.
2. How long does sea freight to New Zealand take?
Around 8 to 12 weeks door to door. Air freight takes around 7 to 10 days.
3. What is the NZCS 218 form?
It is the New Zealand Customs declaration for unaccompanied personal and household goods. It helps customs decide whether duty and GST apply.
4. Do I pay GST on my belongings in New Zealand?
Used items you have owned may qualify for a concession if you are moving there, but new items, alcohol and tobacco usually attract charges. Check the New Zealand Customs Service.
5. Can I ship my camping gear?
Yes, if it is completely clean. MPI may inspect it and charge for cleaning if needed.
6. Can I take food to New Zealand?
Most food must be declared and much of it is restricted. Leave it out of your shipment.
7. Is Groupage right for my move?
Groupage suits around 1 to 15 cubic metres. For a full house, FCL is usually better value and more secure.
8. Can I ship to university halls?
Yes. Delivery to halls or any address is available, though check your accommodation will accept a delivery in your name.
9. Can I ship my belongings back to the UK from New Zealand?
Yes. The service runs in reverse through partner agents.
10. How do I get a quote?
Use the Anglo Pacific app for a free video survey or send an inventory for a same day quote.
Ready to ship your belongings to New Zealand?
Get a fixed quote, or pick the service that fits: baggage shipping to New Zealand, shipping boxes to New Zealand, freight to New Zealand or a full removal to New Zealand. For the bigger picture, read our guide to moving to New Zealand from the UK, or call 020 8965 1234.
