Moving to New Zealand

Whether you are moving abroad for the beautiful scenery, travelling, job relocation, or you are a Kiwi returning home after spending time in Canada, New Zealand is one of the preferred destinations for people to travel or move to.

If you have decided to make the move to New Zealand, Huli International Movers can assist you with the door-to-door service that you are looking for, whether it is for your entire household, your car, or your snowboard and toolbox, we’ve got you covered.

Overseas Shipping and Moving Services from Canada to New Zealand

At Huli International Movers, we ensure reliable, rapid, secure, and efficient shipping to New Zealand. We offer overseas shipping options for you to choose from:
Sea freight 20 ‘or 40’ shipping container
The best way to move your car or all of your household belongings.
Air freight
The fast and efficient way to move a few boxes, pallets, or your sporting equipment.

Shipping Your Motor Vehicles to New Zealand

The motor vehicle industry in New Zealand is highly regulated. That being said, shipping your vehicle to New Zealand is very possible. In order to properly import your motor vehicle, you will need to contact NZTA to ensure that your vehicle is allowed into New Zealand. Your vehicle may have to comply with ‘Frontal Impact’ and ‘Omission’ standards, and will be subjected to a physical inspection immediately upon arrival. Once cleared by Customs and Biosecurity, your vehicle must be certified and registered for use on the road. If the vehicle is determined to be ‘dirty’ (containing soil, plant material, insects, or animal material) after the inspection, it will be subjected to costly steam clean. In order to reduce the risk of these charges, we recommend having your vehicle thoroughly cleaned inside and out by a professional, prior to shipping your car to New Zealand.

Presently, there is no duty collected on motor vehicles imported into New Zealand. However, there is a 15% GST tax that must be paid unless you meet the following requirements:

  • You are currently in New Zealand
  • You hold a New Zealand or Australian passport or have the appropriate visa
  • You have been outside of New Zealand for 21 or more concurrent months
  • You have personally owned and used the vehicle for a minimum of 12 months prior to shipping
  • You do not sell the vehicle within 24 months of its arrival into New Zealand.

Types of Vehicles We Ship to New Zealand

Car/Auto
We are trained and knowledgeable in secure auto transport services and international auto shipping in Canada.

Motorcycles
As one of the most knowledgeable and passionate freight forwarding companies in Canada, we are able to reliably ship your motorcycle internationally.

Boats and Yachts
We ensure secure and reliable boat and yacht shipping services.

RVs and Motorhomes
Our freight shipping services will ensure secure global shipping of your RVs and motorhomes.
All-Terrain Vehicles/ATVs
We have the knowledge and experience to facilitate shipping your ATVs overseas.

Snowmobiles
With our reliable ocean shipping services, we will ensure the security of your snowmobiles.

Jet Skis
At Huli, we offer safe and secure international jet ski shipping services.

Heavy Equipment
If you are in need of your heavy machinery or equipment abroad, Huli is able to provide secure and reliable international shipping of your heavy machinery.

Your Moving Destination in New Zealand

Whether you are moving to a major city such as Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton, Tauranga, New Plymouth, Napier, Palmerston North, Nelson, Dunedin, Whangarei, Invercargill, and anywhere in between, we have the knowledge and experience to facilitate your move to any New Zealand destination.

Moving your household goods to New Zealand

Before your goods are allowed into New Zealand, they must be properly cleared by both the Customs and Quarantine (Biosecurity New Zealand) services. New Zealand has very strict rules against admitting unwanted diseases, insects and pests, or contaminants into the country. With our expertise and history in moving goods into New Zealand, we are able to guide and facilitate the entire process, including the Customs and Unaccompanied Personal Baggage declaration.

New Zealand Customs Service

The purpose of the New Zealand Customs Service is to collect the applicable tax and duties on imports, to ensure that all imports are legal, and no prohibited or restricted items are granted entry. In order to avoid duty and tax on your household goods, they must be owned and used for 21 months or more. When moving to New Zealand, there is a limited alcohol allowance which permits you to import your home collection, for personal consumption. If you are importing firearms, you must first obtain a New Zealand firearms licence and import permit from the New Zealand Police.

New Zealand Biosecurity and Quarantine Service

All shipments entering New Zealand are subject to a physical inspection by the New Zealand Biosecurity and Quarantine Inspection Services. The inspection is performed to ensure that no prohibited, restricted, or contaminated risk items are allowed in the country. The primary screening is performed by reviewing your completed declaration and inventory of goods in order to assess whether any at-risk goods have been declared or undeclared in your shipment. If your goods are deemed not a risk, they will be cleared for entry. If a risk is found, a physical inspection will be performed upon arrival. In certain instances, the inspection may take place at the residence where the container is delivered. Otherwise, it will be performed at the warehouse. Upon inspection, it will be decided if the goods are granted entry, or if some form of treatment, such as fumigation, is necessary. We recommend that thorough cleaning of all at-risk items, such as tools, furniture, lawnmowers, sporting equipment, vacuum cleaners, etc., be performed prior to being packed for shipping as the charges for fumigation and steam cleaning can be very expensive.

Approximate Transit Times to New Zealand

Auckland/Tauranga/New Plymouth: 4-5 weeks by sea freight
Christchurch: 5-6 weeks by sea freight
Dunedin: 9-10 weeks by sea freight
Air freight: 2-5 business days

These are expected average times to assist you in the planning process.
international movers

Packing Your Belongings

In order to ensure the most secure and space-efficient packing, we recommend that our professionals pack your goods for you. We use the best materials and techniques in order to put you at ease through knowing that your goods will arrive safely. We have premium boxes and hardware, built to transport anything from flatscreens to artwork, to your fancy suit.

For your delicate and precious items, we custom-build wooden crates for maximum security. Every item moved will be export-wrapped or packed in a box. If you prefer to pack some of your goods yourself, we can provide you with the packing materials needed and a packing guide to help you with this.

Storing Your Belongings

We have storage facilities available in New Zealand in case you are not in immediate need of your goods. We can store your items until you need them, at which point they are easily accessible.

Insuring Your Belongings

When moving overseas, you should insure your goods in order to put your mind at ease. 80% of our satisfied customers opt into our offer of insurance.

Transporting Your Pets to New Zealand

Moving your common pets such as cats and dogs from Canada to New Zealand is generally possible. Please click here to verify that your pet meets the eligibility requirements for importation. The link also details the steps and an overview of the importation process.

Can my car be shipped to New Zealand?

Yes, it can. Though prior to shipping your car, you should check with the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) to ensure that your vehicle is eligible.

What types of vehicles can I ship to New Zealand?

We ship many kinds of vehicles to New Zealand, including cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, yachts, RVs, motorhomes, ATVs, snowmobiles, jet skis, and heavy equipment.

Can I ship alcohol to New Zealand?

Yes, you can. There is a limited alcohol allowance which permits you to import your home collection, for personal consumption, as long as your alcohol is declared and within reason.

When can I expect my belongings to arrive in New Zealand?

In General, these are expected average times to assist you in the planning process:

  • Auckland/Tauranga/New Plymouth: 4-5 weeks by sea freight
  • Christchurch: 5-6 weeks by sea freight
  • Dunedin: 9-10 weeks by sea freight
  • Air freight: 2-5 business days

Am I able to store my goods in New Zealand?

Yes, you can. If you are travelling and will not be arriving in New Zealand for a while, you have not yet purchased your home in New Zealand, or you do not immediately need your goods, we have facilities to store your goods for you from a week to several months.

Is my vehicle going to be steam cleaned upon arrival in New Zealand?

It is possible. Due to New Zealand’s Quarantine and Biosecurity service, vehicles that have not been properly cleaned inside and out, or have areas that pose a risk (contain soil, plant material, insects, or animal material), will be subjected to steam cleaning. In order to avoid steam cleaning, increased care and attention should be given to the wheel arches, engine bay, and any area capable of trapping contaminants.

Is there a duty that I must pay for my household goods when moving to New Zealand?

It is unlikely. Personal belongings that are owned and used for 21 months or more are duty and tax-free.

Should I clean my belongings prior to shipping them to New Zealand?

Yes. It is recommended that you clean your goods before they are shipped to New Zealand. We recommend a thorough cleaning of all at-risk items, such as tools, furniture, lawnmowers, sporting equipment, vacuum cleaners, etc., be performed prior to being packed for shipping as the charges for fumigation and steam cleaning can be very expensive.

Am I able to pack my belongings myself?

Yes, you can. If you prefer to pack some of your goods yourself, we can provide you with the packing materials needed and a packing guide to help you with this. However, it is important that you satisfy the requirements of the Customs and Quarantine (Biosecurity) services in order to avoid inspection and repacking costs.

 

*Disclaimer: The information that we provide is to be used as a general guide and is subject to change without notice. We recommend that you contact the appropriate authorities to verify that your information is up to date.

Can my car be shipped to New Zealand?

Yes, it can. Though prior to shipping your car, you should check with the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA) to ensure that your vehicle is eligible.

What types of vehicles can I ship to New Zealand?

We ship many kinds of vehicles to New Zealand, including cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats, yachts, RVs, motorhomes, ATVs, snowmobiles, jet skis, and heavy equipment.

Can I ship alcohol to New Zealand?

Yes, you can. There is a limited alcohol allowance which permits you to import your home collection, for personal consumption, as long as your alcohol is declared and within reason.

When can I expect my belongings to arrive in New Zealand?

In General, these are expected average times to assist you in the planning process:

  • Auckland/Tauranga/New Plymouth: 4-5 weeks by sea freight
  • Christchurch: 5-6 weeks by sea freight
  • Dunedin: 9-10 weeks by sea freight
  • Air freight: 2-5 business days

Am I able to store my goods in New Zealand?

Yes, you can. If you are travelling and will not be arriving in New Zealand for a while, you have not yet purchased your home in New Zealand, or you do not immediately need your goods, we have facilities to store your goods for you from a week to several months.

Is my vehicle going to be steam cleaned upon arrival in New Zealand?

It is possible. Due to New Zealand’s Quarantine and Biosecurity service, vehicles that have not been properly cleaned inside and out, or have areas that pose a risk (contain soil, plant material, insects, or animal material), will be subjected to steam cleaning. In order to avoid steam cleaning, increased care and attention should be given to the wheel arches, engine bay, and any area capable of trapping contaminants.

Is there a duty that I must pay for my household goods when moving to New Zealand?

It is unlikely. Personal belongings that are owned and used for 21 months or more are duty and tax-free.

Should I clean my belongings prior to shipping them to New Zealand?

Yes. It is recommended that you clean your goods before they are shipped to New Zealand. We recommend a thorough cleaning of all at-risk items, such as tools, furniture, lawnmowers, sporting equipment, vacuum cleaners, etc., be performed prior to being packed for shipping as the charges for fumigation and steam cleaning can be very expensive.

Am I able to pack my belongings myself?

Yes, you can. If you prefer to pack some of your goods yourself, we can provide you with the packing materials needed and a packing guide to help you with this. However, it is important that you satisfy the requirements of the Customs and Quarantine (Biosecurity) services in order to avoid inspection and repacking costs.

*Disclaimer: The information that we provide is to be used as a general guide and is subject to change without notice. We recommend that you contact the appropriate authorities to verify that your information is up to date.