Moving to New Zealand
New Zealand lies almost exactly on the other side of the globe, and its islands developed for millions of years without foreign species. Hence two features that will shape your move: a long journey and meticulous protection of nature. We prepare moves to New Zealand in Wrocław – inventory, cleaning equipment, packing and loading – while collection at the port, clearance and delivery are handled by a partner from the FEDEMAC network.
The longest route we offer
There are practically no direct sailings from Europe to New Zealand. The container sails from Hamburg or Bremerhaven to a major transshipment port in Asia or Australia, where it waits for a smaller ship. The voyage usually takes seven to ten weeks, and including packing, clearance and inspection the whole move most often takes about three months.
| Destination port | Region served |
|---|---|
| Auckland | Auckland and the north of the North Island |
| Tauranga | Bay of Plenty, Hamilton, Rotorua |
| Wellington | the capital and the south of the North Island |
| Lyttelton | Christchurch and Canterbury on the South Island |
| Port Chalmers | Dunedin and Otago |
Once the container is released, our partner takes your belongings to their warehouse, where they are unloaded and delivered by a smaller truck. This applies especially to houses on the hills of Wellington, where steep, winding streets cannot take a large lorry.
MPI inspection – what the ministry checks
Household goods shipments are inspected by New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), while customs clearance is carried out by the Customs Service. Both require a declaration for unaccompanied personal effects and an inventory. An inspector may examine the entire container. The recipient bears the costs of inspection, cleaning or treatment, so preparing in Poland pays off more than fixing things at the port.
Outdoor equipment
Hiking boots, poles, tents, bikes, fishing and ski gear. They must be free of soil, seeds and water.
Wood and natural products
Solid wood furniture, baskets, grass mats, pine cone decorations. Describe the material on the inventory, as the inspector may want to see them.
Prohibited items
Food, seeds, plants and soil. We do not pack them in the container, even in sealed packaging.
What to take and what to leave
- Take furniture of sentimental value and equipment that is expensive in New Zealand – imported goods are pricey there.
- Leave appliances with Polish plugs that are hard to convert, and large chipboard furniture.
- A car from Europe will have to pass a compliance check and inspection – work out the cost before shipping.
- Send what you need from day one as air luggage, because the container will arrive months later.
If you are going on a work visa and do not know whether you will stay for good, consider shipping part of your belongings and storing the rest in our storage. Shipping a smaller volume in crates in a shared container is described on our container moving page.
New Zealand – questions
Do I have to pay duty or GST on personal belongings?
People moving permanently or for a longer period usually bring in used belongings without charges, provided they owned and used them before arrival. New items may be subject to tax.
Do I need to be in New Zealand when the container arrives?
The authorities usually require the owner to be in the country already or to arrive within a set period. We check the conditions before shipping.
Does delivery to the South Island take longer?
Often yes, because some ships call at the North Island first. When quoting we compare delivery to Lyttelton with road and ferry transport from Auckland.
Can a container be sent back?
It rarely happens, and it usually concerns individual items that did not pass inspection. An accurate inventory and clean belongings practically eliminate this risk.
To the other side of the world with a full container
We will prepare your belongings for MPI inspection and quote the shipment free of charge.
Free quote