How long does it take to ship a car from the UK to New Zealand?
Vessels sail from Southampton on a regular rotation; door-to-port transit is typically 42–55 days. Add 5–10 working days each end for UK collection and destination clearance.
Cost to Ship a Car from the UK to New Zealand in 2026
Live 2026 prices to ship a car from the UK to New Zealand. RORO and container rates, transit time, duty, VAT and the hidden costs that most quotes leave out.
Frequently asked questions
Is RORO available to New Zealand?
Yes — RORO is the most cost-effective option for standard vehicles. We use Höegh Autoliners, Wallenius Wilhelmsen and Grimaldi for the New Zealand rotation.
What duties will I pay in New Zealand?
Zero duty (UK-NZ FTA) plus 15% GST. Duties are paid by the importer at the destination port.
Is insurance included?
All quotes include UK port handling and the Bill of Lading. Marine transit insurance at 1.5–2% of vehicle value is offered separately on every quote.
Is there a duty saving from the UK-NZ FTA in 2026?
Yes — UK-origin passenger vehicles attract 0% duty under the FTA (down from 5% pre-2023). The Origin Declaration on the commercial invoice is mandatory to claim it.
What is the age limit for importing a car to New Zealand?
There is no outright age cap. However vehicles must meet emissions standards equivalent to Euro 5 (2014 onwards) unless they qualify as a special interest vehicle (20+ years old, low volume, or registered enthusiast). See our import guide for exemptions.
Can I ship personal effects in the car?
Not by RORO. For personal effects use container — we run a shared 40ft container into Auckland monthly that accepts up to 1.5 cubic metres of personal effects per car alongside.
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