Dealer and auction car shipping
Bought a car, ute or caravan at an Australian auction or from a dealer? We collect it, ship it on the next weekly sailing to New Zealand from AUD 2,850 per car all-in, and clear it through NZ customs and MPI.
Buying at an Australian auction or from a dealer?
This is the usual path for dealers buying stock in Australia and for Kiwis buying a vehicle on this side of the Tasman. You buy it. We take it from there.
- Send us the invoice. The auction invoice or dealer tax invoice, the registration papers and the VIN. If you know the collection deadline, tell us.
- We book the sailing. Weekly roll-on roll-off from Brisbane, Port Kembla (Sydney) and Melbourne to Auckland, with Wellington, Lyttelton and Nelson reached direct or via Auckland. We confirm the vessel and receival dates by email.
- We collect it. Cartage from the auction yard or dealer to the port. Within 50 km of the port it's in the price for cars.
- We clear it both ends. Australian export clearance, then NZ customs entry, the vehicle border check and MPI inspection on arrival.
- You collect it in New Zealand. You arrange delivery from the port to your compliance yard, and compliance. A private tracking link shows each milestone until then.
What it costs
Cars, vans, utes and 4WDs up to 20 m³ ship at one price per vehicle. It's one lump sum: the only things on top are the items below. See how to compare shipping quotes for the full list.
In the price
- Sea freight on a weekly roll-on roll-off sailing
- Collection and delivery to the port, within 50 km of the port (cars)
- Australian export clearance and terminal handling
- Port service charges
- New Zealand arrival port charges
- Cargo reporting fee
- NZ vehicle border check and MPI clearance and inspection
On top
- NZ GST and any duty, paid in New Zealand
- Cleaning and re-inspection if MPI fails the first inspection
- Delivery from the port to your compliance yard, and compliance
- Cartage beyond 50 km of the port (caravans and motorhomes are quoted separately)
- Marine transit insurance, which you arrange yourself
Prices are indicative until Nick confirms them in writing, and are valid for 14 days. All prices by port. Estimate NZ GST with the NZ GST and duty calculator.
Shipping several cars?
Add each car in the price box, or send the list and VINs on WhatsApp to 0433 825 128. We'll tell you which sailing they can all go on.
Importing dealer stock into Australia?
Weekly sailings run from Auckland to Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne for cars. Almost every road vehicle needs an Australian import approval before it ships, so see customs clearance and import approval first. Buying in Japan or the UK? Read the guides to importing a car from Japan and shipping a car from the UK, or ask us about your import.
Need help finding or buying the vehicle?
Our sister business Fire Bird Vehicle Traders sources and buys vehicles, with pre-purchase inspections. Visit Fire Bird Vehicle Traders.
Get a price now
Live rates for the published lanes. Anything else, we price by email.
- Free, no obligation
- Nothing is booked until you confirm
- Price valid 14 days
- Your cargo
- Your details
- Your price
Dealer and auction shipping questions
Can you collect a car from an auction yard or dealer?
Yes. We arrange cartage from the auction yard, dealer or your home to the port. For cars, collection and delivery to the port within 50 km of the port is in the price. Beyond that, cartage is quoted when you book.
Can I ship several cars at once?
Yes. Add each car in the price box, or send us the list on WhatsApp. Cars up to 20 m³ ship at one price per vehicle, so the total is the price times the number of cars.
What paperwork do I need from the auction or dealer?
The auction invoice or dealer tax invoice, the Australian registration papers and the VIN for each car. Customs values the vehicle on what you paid, so keep the invoice. Our pre-shipment checklist lists everything.
How soon after I buy can it ship?
Sailings leave weekly from Brisbane, Port Kembla and Melbourne, and cargo is usually received at the terminal 2 to 5 days before departure. Tell us the auction house and when the car has to be collected, and we confirm the sailing and receival window when you book.
What if the car doesn't run?
Tell us when you book. Non-runners can usually be shipped, but they need to be quoted and loaded differently.
What isn't in the price?
NZ GST and any duty, cleaning if MPI fails the first inspection, delivery from the port to your compliance yard, and compliance. We don't arrange marine insurance, so arrange your own before the car is collected.
Can you ship caravans and motorhomes from an auction?
Yes. Caravans and motorhomes are priced per cubic metre with a 50 m³ minimum, plus fixed local charges at each end, and cartage is quoted separately. Check the volume with the caravan m³ calculator.