Pre-shipment checklist: Australia to New Zealand

Checked against official sources on 12 October 2026. Rules change, so we confirm the details for your shipment when you book.

When you book (2 to 4 weeks before the sailing)

• Get your price and pick a sailing from the sailing schedule. Allow about a week before the ship's cut-off.
• Measure it: overall length, width and height in metres, including the towbar or A-frame, spare wheel, bike racks, roof racks, air conditioner and roof hatches. Caravans and motorhomes are priced on these measurements.
• Tell us about anything unusual: modifications, a lift kit, oversize tyres, a non-runner, a flat battery or a vehicle that can't be driven.
• Check for open safety recalls with the manufacturer and get them done. NZ won't certify a vehicle with an open safety recall.
• If there's finance on it, get the lender's written permission to export.
• Check whether you qualify for the NZ Customs vehicle concession, and estimate GST with the NZ GST and depreciation calculator.

Paperwork to send us

• The purchase invoice or bill of sale. Customs values the vehicle on what you paid, so keep the receipt.
• The original Australian registration papers (a clear copy for us, the originals for your NZ certifier).
• A copy of your passport or driver licence.
• Moving to NZ? Your passport or NZ residence document, and the Customs form NZCS 80c if you're claiming the concession.
• Bought at auction or from a dealer? The auction invoice or dealer tax invoice, and the previous registration details.

Getting it ready

• Clean it inside and out for MPI, including underneath. Use the cars, 4WDs and machinery checklist or the caravan checklist.
• Empty it. No personal items, tools, spare parts or luggage unless we've agreed it first.
• Keep the fuel low, around a quarter of a tank or less.
• Battery charged and secured, tyres at the right pressure, handbrake working and no fluid leaks. Shipping lines can refuse a leaking vehicle.
• Turn off or remove the alarm and immobiliser, or write down how to disarm it.
• Remove toll tags, dashcams, portable GPS units and anything valuable or loose.
• Take dated photos of every side, the roof, the interior and the odometer, so its condition is on record.

Caravans and motorhomes: extra steps

• Drain the fresh water, grey water and hot water systems and empty the toilet cassette. Standing water is an automatic MPI fail.
• Empty the fridge and pantry. No food at all.
• Tell us about gas bottles when you book. Shipping lines have rules for LPG cylinders, and we'll confirm what they need for your sailing.
• Close and latch every hatch, window and cupboard, wind up the stabiliser legs and secure the awning.
• Leave the jockey wheel, A-frame and coupling in good working order so the terminal can move it.

Handover day

• Hand over one key or remote. Keep the spares and send them with you, not in the vehicle.
• Check the condition report with the driver and note any existing marks.
• Keep your Australian registration current until it's collected: it travels on the road to the port. After it sails you can cancel it and claim any refund from your state registry.

When it arrives in New Zealand

• Pay any GST or duty invoiced by NZ Customs. The vehicle isn't released until it's paid.
• Arrange delivery or collection, and book a compliance yard or entry certifier for cars, utes and motorhomes.
• Take the original registration papers and ownership documents to the certifier.
• Register it, licence it, get a warrant of fitness and, for diesels, buy road user charges before you drive.

Common questions