Ship a car from Australia to Christchurch
Cars, utes and 4WDs from Brisbane, Port Kembla and Melbourne to Lyttelton for Christchurch. One price, one tracking link, and NZ customs and MPI handled.
How cars get to Christchurch
Most cars for Christchurch sail to Auckland first and are transhipped onto a coastal vessel to Lyttelton, which is why it takes longer than Auckland. You still get one price, one tracking link and one person looking after it.
Next sailings to Lyttelton
| Line and vessel | Departs Australia | Arrives Lyttelton |
|---|---|---|
| MOL Opal Ace via Auckland | Port Kembla (Sydney) 19 Oct | 6 Nov |
| MOL Primrose Ace via Auckland | Brisbane 27 Oct Port Kembla (Sydney) 25 Oct Melbourne 22 Oct | 6 Nov |
| MOL Elegant Ace via Auckland | Adelaide 31 Oct | 8 Dec |
| MOL Prime Ace (or substitute) via Auckland | Brisbane 24 Nov Port Kembla (Sydney) 21 Nov Melbourne 18 Nov Adelaide 16 Nov | 19 Dec |
Carrier estimates, updated every weekday. Full schedule.
What it costs
| Car, van, ute or 4WD up to 20 m³, from Brisbane, Port Kembla or Melbourne | AUD 2,850 all-in |
|---|---|
| From Adelaide | AUD 3,250 all-in |
| Larger vehicles, caravans and motorhomes | Priced on volume. How caravans are priced |
Car prices include pickup within 50 km of the Australian port, export clearance, Australian terminal handling and port charges, sea freight, NZ arrival port charges, the cargo reporting fee, NZ customs entry, the vehicle border check and MPI biosecurity fees.
Not included: NZ GST and any duty, cleaning or re-inspection if MPI isn’t happy first time, delivery to a compliance yard, and entry certification, compliance and registration in New Zealand.
When it arrives in Christchurch
We lodge the NZ customs entry and cover the MPI fees. Once it’s released you collect it from the port, or ask us to quote delivery. It then needs entry certification and registration before it’s on the road.
Get a price now
Live prices on our main routes. Anything else, Nick prices by email.
- Free, no obligation
- Nothing is booked until you confirm
- Price valid 14 days
5.0 on GoogleNick replies the same business day
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Shipping a car to Christchurch: questions
How much does it cost to ship a car to Christchurch?
On our published rate a car, van, ute or 4WD up to 20 m³ costs AUD 2,850 all-in from Brisbane, Port Kembla or Melbourne to Lyttelton, or AUD 3,250 from Adelaide. That includes pickup within 50 km of the port, sea freight, port and customs charges at both ends and the MPI fees.
How long does it take to ship a car to Christchurch?
Typically about 25 days port to port. On the current schedule it ranges from 10 to 38 days, depending on your load port and the connecting ship from Auckland. Allow a few more days for receival and for NZ customs and MPI.
Which port do cars for Christchurch arrive at?
Lyttelton, Christchurch’s port. Most go via Auckland on a connecting coastal ship.
Do you deliver to my door in New Zealand?
Collection from the port is the norm. We can quote delivery to your door or a compliance yard; it isn’t in the car price.