Checked against official sources on 11 November 2026. Rules change, so we confirm the details for your shipment when you book.
The short answer
Shipping a car, ute, van or 4WD up to 20 m³ from Auckland to Brisbane, Port Kembla or Melbourne costs AUD 3,500 all-in with us. Australian GST, any customs duty and luxury car tax are paid on arrival, and the Vehicle Import Approval must be granted before the car ships.
Every cost, and who sets it
| Cost | What it covers | How much |
|---|---|---|
| Shipping (us) | Collection in the Auckland metro area, NZ export clearance, terminal handling, sea freight, Australian arrival port charges, the cargo reporting fee, quarantine inspection and attendance fees, and Australian import clearance. | AUD 3,500 per vehicle up to 20 m³ |
| Vehicle Import Approval | Required from the Department of Infrastructure before the car ships. | Apply first: it can take weeks |
| Customs duty | Usually 5% of the customs value. Some cars are duty free under a free trade agreement, with evidence of where they were made. | AUD 1,250 on a car worth AUD 25,000 |
| GST | 10% of the customs value plus duty, freight and insurance. | AUD 2,975 on a car worth AUD 25,000 |
| Import processing charge | Charged by the Australian Border Force on the import declaration. | AUD 152 |
| Luxury car tax | 33% of the value above the threshold for the year. | Only on cars above the threshold |
| Biosecurity cleaning | Only if the car fails its first inspection. | Avoidable: send it clean |
| State costs | Inspection, registration and stamp duty where your state charges it. | Set by your state |
Worked example: a car worth AUD 25,000
- Shipping from Auckland: AUD 3,500.
- Duty, GST and the import processing charge: about AUD 4,377, or about AUD 3,002 if the car is duty free under a free trade agreement.
- Total before state costs: about AUD 7,877.
Returning Australians may get concessional treatment on goods they originally took from Australia, if conditions are met. Ask us before you rely on it. Work out your own numbers with the import tax calculator.
Who can bring a car from New Zealand
Most people use the personal import route: you must have personally owned and used the car while living overseas for at least 12 months, and have the right to live in Australia permanently. Cars 25 years or older have their own route. See importing a car into Australia for the full rules.
Five ways to keep the total down
- Apply for the import approval before you book the ship, so the car isn't held at the port.
- Keep proof of where the car was made: it can make it duty free.
- Have it cleaned inside, outside and underneath before collection in Auckland.
- Sort out any finance first: the car needs clear title to be exported.
- Choose the port nearest where you'll live: Brisbane, Port Kembla or Melbourne.
Just want the shipping price by port? See the cost to ship a car from NZ to Australia.
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Common questions
How much does it cost to ship a car from New Zealand to Australia in 2026?
With us, AUD 3,500 all-in from Auckland to Brisbane, Port Kembla or Melbourne for a car, ute, van or 4WD up to 20 m³. Australian GST, any duty and luxury car tax are extra.
Do you ship from Wellington or Christchurch?
Not directly. Cars go from Auckland, and the price includes collection in the Auckland metro area. We can arrange transport to Auckland from elsewhere.
Can you ship my caravan from New Zealand to Australia?
No. Our New Zealand to Australia service is for cars, utes, vans and 4WDs.