International Removals to New Zealand
Complete guide to shipping your household goods to New Zealand. From MPI biosecurity requirements to customs documentation and recommended providers, we've covered everything you need to know.
weeks typical door-to-door
survey before every shipment
standard container sizes
items to declare
What We Cover
Understanding MPI Biosecurity
What can and cannot be imported
Documentation Required
NZCS 218 forms and declarations
The Pre-Move Survey
What it is, why it matters, what to expect
Timeline & Process
12-week planning checklist
Choosing a Removals Company
What to look for, questions to ask
Special Items
Vehicles, pets, wood packaging
Understanding MPI Biosecurity
New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has strict biosecurity laws to protect the country's natural resources. This is the single most important factor affecting what you can ship.
Prohibited Items
- ✕Any packaged food (fresh, dried, or processed)
- ✕Honey, pollen, bee products
- ✕Fresh plants, bulbs, seeds (unless certified)
- ✕Meat, fish, shellfish, poultry (all types)
- ✕Straw packaging and used fresh food cartons
- ✕CITES-restricted items (ivory, coral, turtle shell)
Items Requiring Declaration
- →Dried fruits, vegetables, mushrooms
- →All milk products, cheese, eggs
- →Hunting trophies, stuffed animals
- →Herbal medicines, health supplements
- →All items containing wood, bamboo, straw
- →Outdoor/sports equipment (soil contamination risk)
- →Items with fur, feathers, bone, unprocessed wool
Critical: Items Will Be Destroyed
If prohibited or improperly declared items are found, MPI will destroy them at your cost. There is no opportunity to retrieve them. Accurate declaration is essential.
Required Documentation
All personal effects shipments must be accompanied by specific customs and biosecurity documentation.
NZCS 218 Form
Unaccompanied Personal Baggage Declaration — the primary customs declaration form. Completed by the owner and required by NZ Customs Service.
Download NZCS 218MPI Supplementary Declaration
Provides detailed information about biosecurity risk items and their treatment status.
Detailed Inventory
Complete list of all items being shipped, numbered by box. This dramatically speeds up MPI clearance.
Best practice: Create a spreadsheet with item descriptions, quantities, approximate values, and biosecurity status (e.g., "wooden chair - needs declaration").
Shipping Documentation
Bill of Lading (sea freight), Air Way Bill (air freight), or consignment note. Provided by your shipping agent.
Sea Container Quarantine Declaration (FCL loads)
Required if shipping a full 20ft or 40ft container. Confirms container cleanliness and wood packaging compliance.
Treatment Certificates
If any goods have been fumigated, heat-treated, or cleaned, original certificates must be included.
Passport & Visa Documentation
Copy of passport identification page and proof of residency rights in New Zealand (visa or residence permit).
Pro tip: A professional removals company with New Zealand experience will handle all documentation and ensure compliance with MPI requirements. Their in-house customs team should manage the NZCS 218, MPI supplementary declarations, and any treatment certificates on your behalf.
Shipping Options
Your choice between sea freight and air freight depends on your timeline, the volume of goods, and what you need to arrive in New Zealand quickly versus what can follow. Your removals company will advise on the right option based on your specific circumstances.
Sea Freight
The standard method for shipping full household contents. Goods are packed into either a full container (FCL — 20ft or 40ft) or consolidated with other shipments (LCL). Transit time is typically 4-6 weeks at sea, with total door-to-door time of 8-12 weeks depending on origin.
Best suited for
- • Full or near-full household contents
- • Bulky furniture and appliances
- • Moves where timeline allows planning ahead
Key considerations
- • All items must be MPI-compliant before loading
- • Wood packaging must meet ISPM 15 standards
- • Sea container quarantine declaration required for FCL
Air Freight
Used for urgent or smaller consignments — items you need quickly on arrival. Transit is typically 5-7 days in the air, with total door-to-door of 2-3 weeks. Charged by weight or volume (whichever is greater), so it's best suited to smaller, essential items rather than furniture.
Best suited for
- • Essential items needed immediately on arrival
- • Partial or urgent consignments
- • High-value items where speed matters
Key considerations
- • Weight and dimension restrictions apply
- • MPI biosecurity rules apply equally to air freight
- • Not practical for full households
Duty-Free Concession: If you've lived outside New Zealand for 21 months or more and the goods have been owned and used personally, you may qualify for duty and GST-free entry under the personal effects concession. Your removals company or customs broker can confirm your eligibility and ensure the correct documentation is in place.
The Pre-Move Survey
One of the most important steps in planning an international removal — and often the most overlooked. A pre-move survey is the formal assessment carried out by a removals consultant before any quote is issued or packing begins.
What is a pre-move survey?
A pre-move survey (also called a survey or home survey) is a physical inspection of your home and belongings carried out by a trained removals surveyor. It can be conducted in person or, increasingly, via video call for international moves.
The surveyor will walk through your property, assess every item you intend to ship, note access conditions at both origin and destination, and identify any items requiring special handling, treatment, or documentation for MPI biosecurity compliance.
Why it matters for NZ removals
New Zealand's strict biosecurity requirements mean that pre-move surveys serve a dual purpose: they determine the volume and logistics of your shipment, and they allow the surveyor to identify items that may require treatment, cleaning, or documentation before they can enter the country.
A thorough survey helps avoid costly surprises — items turned back at the border, quarantine delays, or treatment fees applied on arrival.
What the surveyor assesses
Volume & Weight
Every room is assessed item by item. The surveyor calculates the cubic footage or cubic metres to determine whether an FCL container, LCL consolidation, or air freight is most appropriate.
Access & Logistics
Stairwells, narrow doorways, parking restrictions, and lift availability at both your current address and your New Zealand destination are all noted — these affect packing method and cost.
MPI Risk Items
The surveyor flags items with biosecurity implications: wooden furniture, outdoor equipment, garden tools, sports gear, food items, and anything likely to require declaration or treatment.
Special Items
Antiques, artwork, musical instruments, wine collections, and valuables are assessed individually. These may require custom crating, specialist packing, or additional insurance.
Packing Requirements
The surveyor determines what requires professional packing versus owner packing. MPI-risk items typically must be professionally packed, documented, and in some cases treated before packing.
Documentation Checklist
At the end of the survey, a good removals company will provide a preliminary list of documentation required — NZCS 218, MPI declarations, treatment certificates — based on what was assessed.
What to prepare before the surveyor arrives
- →Decide in advance what you are taking versus selling, donating, or putting into storage
- →Note any items you already know are MPI risk items (outdoor furniture, garden equipment, wooden items)
- →Have access to all rooms including garages, attics, and storage areas
- →Know your intended move date and your New Zealand destination address if confirmed
- →Have any high-value items (art, jewellery, wine) ready to discuss — the surveyor will need to note these separately
- →Ask the surveyor to walk you through the MPI risk items identified and what treatment or documentation they will require
Always insist on a pre-move survey
Any professional removals company should offer a survey before issuing a quote. Be cautious of companies willing to quote without one — they are unlikely to have the experience or rigour required for a compliant New Zealand shipment. The survey is the foundation of your entire removal and should not be skipped.
12-Week Planning Timeline
Start planning at least 12 weeks before your intended departure.
Week 1-2
Plan & Prepare
- →Decide broadly: sea freight or air freight?
- →Contact 3-5 removals companies to arrange pre-move surveys
- →Sort belongings — what to take, what to donate or sell
- →Take photos of valuable items for insurance purposes
Week 3-4
Survey & Select
- →Pre-move surveys conducted by shortlisted companies
- →Review MPI prohibited and declarable items identified by surveyor
- →Compare quotes and select removals company — sign contract
- →Create detailed inventory of all items by room and box category
Week 5-6
Arrange Treatment
- →Arrange fumigation or heat treatment if required (especially from high-risk countries)
- →Obtain treatment certificates
- →Confirm wood packaging is ISPM 15 compliant
- →Start collecting required documentation (passport copy, visa, proof of residency)
Week 7-8
Packing Phase
- →Removals company begins packing (professional or supervised)
- →Finalise detailed inventory with box numbers
- →Prepare MPI Supplementary Declaration
- →Gather all documentation needed for customs
Week 9-10
Shipping Arranged
- →Container picked up or goods consolidated for LCL
- →Obtain Bill of Lading/Air Way Bill
- →Complete NZCS 218 form with all details
- →Submit documentation to removals company or customs broker
Week 11-12
Departure Prep
- →Monitor shipment tracking
- →Confirm arrival date with removals company
- →Arrange NZ temporary accommodation if needed
- →Prepare for NZ arrival (bank accounts, driver's license, etc.)
Special Items & Vehicles
Certain items have extra requirements or restrictions.
Motor Vehicles
- •Must be cleaned thoroughly — including undercarriage, wheel arches, and engine (steam cleaned recommended)
- •Duty-free entry possible if you've owned the vehicle 12+ months, lived abroad 21+ months, and meet residency criteria
- •Safety inspection required — vehicle must meet NZ safety and emissions standards
- •Brown marmorated stink bug risk (Sept-April): vehicles from high-risk countries may require fumigation prior to arrival
- •Left-hand drive vehicles can only be imported if convertible to right-hand drive or from permitted categories
Pets (Dogs & Cats)
- •Require import permit and health certificate from origin country
- •Subject to strict quarantine regulations (typically 8 weeks)
- •Some breeds/types are prohibited
- •Contact MPI well in advance to confirm requirements for your pet
Wood Packaging & Furniture
- •ISPM 15 compliance required: all wood packaging (crates, pallets, dunnage) must be fumigated or heat-treated and marked with ISPM 15 stamp
- •All wooden furniture must be declared to MPI, even if new
- •Non-compliant wood packaging will be treated, destroyed, or re-exported at your cost
Firearms
- •Import permit required from NZ Police before shipping
- •Many firearms types are prohibited (pistols, most handguns)
- •Contact NZ Police Firearms Safety Authority before attempting to import
Choosing a Removals Company
Choosing the right removals company is critical for a compliant, stress-free shipment to New Zealand. Not all companies have the same level of experience with MPI biosecurity requirements or New Zealand customs procedures.
Key Questions to Ask
- ✓How many shipments to NZ have you completed in the last 2 years?
- ✓Are you MPI-approved for handling personal effects?
- ✓What is included in your quote — packing, transport, MPI clearance, delivery?
- ✓Do you handle all NZCS 218 and MPI documentation?
- ✓What is your typical timeline door-to-door?
- ✓What insurance is included? What are the limits?
- ✓Do you have references from recent relocations to NZ?
What to Look For
- →FIDI membership — global standards for professional movers
- →MPI-approved facility — they operate transitional facilities for clearance
- →In-house customs team — reduces communication delays
- →Transparent all-inclusive pricing — no surprise fees on arrival
- →Real references — ask to speak to recent clients
- →Insurance options — full value or declared value coverage
Recommended approach:
- Get written quotes from 3-5 companies
- Request references — contact at least 2
- Compare not just price but timeline and included services
- Ask specifically about MPI experience and problem-solving
- Ensure contract specifies exactly what's included
Packing for New Zealand
How your goods are packed directly affects whether they pass MPI biosecurity inspection. A professional removals company will typically offer a full packing service, part-packing (fragile items only), or a self-pack option. For New Zealand shipments, the choice matters more than for most destinations.
Professional packing
A professional packing service means trained crews pack every item, using industry-grade materials. For MPI risk items — outdoor equipment, wooden furniture, sports gear, garden tools — professional packing is strongly recommended. Crews familiar with NZ biosecurity will know to ensure items are clean and dry before packing, and will document MPI-risk items appropriately for the customs declaration.
Full packing also simplifies insurance: most marine transit insurance policies provide better cover for professionally packed goods than for owner-packed items.
Owner packing
If you choose to pack some or all items yourself, use double-walled boxes, wrap items individually, and keep an accurate room-by-room inventory. Label every box clearly — customs may need to inspect contents.
Do not pack any food, soil, seeds, plant material, or biological items — these must be declared separately and will likely be confiscated. Shoes, boots, and outdoor equipment should be thoroughly cleaned before packing and placed where inspectors can easily access them.
Shoes & boots
Clean all footwear thoroughly. Removals companies typically require shoes to be packed in a designated box at the container door for easy MPI access.
Outdoor & sports equipment
All soil, plant matter, and organic residue must be removed. Tents, camping gear, bicycles, golf clubs, and garden tools are high-risk items.
Wooden items
Solid wood furniture is declarable. Wooden packing crates must comply with ISPM 15 (heat treated and marked). Some items may require fumigation.
Vacuum packing
Soft items like bedding, duvets, and clothing can be vacuum packed to save space. Ensure no food items are included.
Fragile items
Wrap individually in bubble wrap, use sturdy boxes, pack heavy items at the bottom, and fill voids with packing paper or foam to prevent movement.
High-value items
Art, antiques, musical instruments, and wine collections should be discussed at the pre-move survey. These typically require custom crating and specialist handling.
Transit Insurance
Marine transit insurance is essential for any international shipment. Standard household contents insurance policies do not cover goods in transit internationally — you will need specialist cover arranged through your removals company or independently.
All-risk cover
Covers accidental loss or damage during packing, transit, and delivery. The most comprehensive option and strongly recommended for international moves of any significant value.
Total loss cover
Only covers total loss of the entire shipment (e.g. vessel sinking). Does not cover individual item breakage or damage — not recommended for household goods.
What to check
Confirm whether the policy covers owner-packed items, confirm the basis of valuation (replacement value vs. declared value), and understand the excess/deductible. Ask whether claims are settled at destination — avoid policies requiring you to refer back to your country of origin.
Storage Options
Many international relocations require storage at some point — either at origin before departure, or in New Zealand while you finalise your permanent address. Most reputable removal companies offer both options.
Origin storage
If your goods need to be packed and collected before your departure date, many companies offer short-term storage at their UK or origin depot. This allows flexibility if your move date shifts.
Destination storage in New Zealand
If you are renting temporary accommodation on arrival while searching for a permanent home — common for investor visa holders — your goods can be stored in purpose-built facilities across New Zealand. NZ Van Lines, Crown Relocations, and other major companies operate nationwide storage networks with facilities in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and beyond.
Rental furniture
Some relocation companies can arrange short-term rental furniture for your temporary accommodation while your container is in transit or in storage — useful if you plan to spend several months finding the right permanent home.
Vehicles & Pets
Two of the most common questions for families relocating to New Zealand — both require specialist planning well in advance of your move date.
Shipping your vehicle
Vehicles can be shipped to New Zealand and included in your duty-free personal effects concession, provided you have owned and used the vehicle personally for at least 12 months prior to departure. You must also declare that you will not sell the vehicle for two years from import.
New Zealand drives on the left, so right-hand drive vehicles from the UK and Australia present no issue. Left-hand drive vehicles from the US or Europe can be imported but may require compliance modifications — your removals company or a specialist vehicle importer can advise on this.
Key requirements
- • Vehicle must be thoroughly cleaned — MPI will inspect for soil and organic matter
- • Engine bay, undercarriage, and wheel arches must be spotless
- • Compliance with NZ Transport Agency (Waka Kotahi) standards
- • Entry certification required before first registration in NZ
Relocating with pets
New Zealand has strict biosecurity controls on animal imports. Cats and dogs are the most commonly relocated pets, but the process requires significant advance planning — typically a minimum of 6 months before your intended arrival date.
All pets entering New Zealand must serve a period of managed isolation on arrival (the length depending on country of origin and species). New Zealand does not permit the import of many exotic pets, and certain dog breeds may be restricted.
Key steps
- • Check MPI import rules for your specific pet and country of origin
- • Microchipping and rabies vaccinations typically required
- • Use an accredited pet relocation specialist
- • Book managed isolation facility in advance — spaces are limited
- • Allow for quarantine period of 10 days or more on arrival
Industry Standards & Accreditations
When choosing a removal company for an international move to New Zealand, industry membership is a strong indicator of quality, financial security, and professional standards. Look for membership of the following organisations.
International Federation of International Movers
The world's largest global alliance of professional moving companies. FIDI-accredited companies hold the FAIM (FIDI Accredited International Mover) quality standard — a rigorous independent audit covering quality, financial stability, and customer service.
New Zealand Overseas Movers Association
New Zealand's national organisation for international moving companies. NZOMA members are held to professional, financial, ethical, and operational standards specific to international moves into New Zealand — important for MPI compliance expertise.
International Association of Movers
The moving industry's largest global trade association with over 2,000 members in 170+ countries. IAM membership gives your removals company access to a vetted worldwide network — important for coordinating the NZ destination side of your move.
British Association of Removers
For UK-origin moves, BAR membership (Overseas Group) provides consumer protection including advance payment guarantees and an independent disputes resolution service — a safeguard if problems arise during your removal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about shipping household goods to New Zealand.
How long does it take to ship household goods to New Zealand?
Door-to-door transit time depends on your origin country and shipping method. Sea freight from the UK typically takes 10-14 weeks door-to-door; from the US West Coast, 7-10 weeks; from Australia, 4-6 weeks. Air freight reduces transit to 2-3 weeks total. These timelines include packing, port departure, sea transit, customs clearance in New Zealand, and final delivery.
Do I need to be present in New Zealand when my goods arrive?
New Zealand Customs requires the importer to be in the country when goods arrive in order to be granted duty-free clearance under the personal effects concession. If you are not yet in New Zealand, your goods may be held in a bonded warehouse or transitional facility until you arrive. Discuss your timeline with your removals company before shipping.
Can I ship household goods duty and GST free?
Yes, under the personal effects concession. To qualify, you must have lived outside New Zealand for 21 months or more, the goods must have been owned and used personally, and you must be present in New Zealand when the goods arrive. Certain items are excluded from the concession regardless. Your removals company or customs broker will confirm your eligibility and prepare the NZCS 218 form accordingly.
What happens if MPI finds prohibited items in my shipment?
If MPI inspectors find items of biosecurity concern, they have several options: treatment (cleaning, fumigation, or heat treatment at your cost), directed export back to the country of origin, or destruction. MPI can also impose infringement fines for failure to declare items. The best way to avoid this is to work with an experienced removals company that knows which items to flag, and to complete your MPI declaration accurately and completely.
Should I use a shared container or a full container?
This depends on the volume of your shipment. A shared (LCL or groupage) container is used when your goods do not fill a full container — you pay only for the space you use, but transit times are generally longer as the container waits to be filled and may make additional stops. A sole-use 20ft container suits approximately 3-4 bedrooms; a 40ft container suits larger households. Your removals company will advise based on the pre-move survey results.
What is the ISPM 15 requirement for wooden packing?
ISPM 15 (International Standards for Phytosanitary Measures No. 15) is the international standard governing wood packaging used in international trade. Any solid wood pallets, crates, or dunnage used in your shipment must be heat treated and stamped with the ISPM 15 mark. This is to prevent the spread of invasive wood pests. Professional removal companies will ensure all packing materials are compliant — if you are using any of your own wooden crates, verify they are ISPM 15 certified before packing.
Can I pack my own goods, or does the removals company need to pack everything?
You can pack some or all items yourself (known as owner packing). However, for MPI-risk items — shoes, outdoor equipment, garden tools, wooden items — professional packing is strongly recommended, as the crew will ensure items are clean, dry, and documented correctly. Note that some marine insurance policies provide reduced cover for owner-packed goods. Discuss the packing split with your removals company at the survey stage.
Do I need a customs broker?
Most full-service international removal companies include customs clearance as part of their service, using their own in-house team or an established customs broker. You are not required to appoint a separate customs broker if your removals company handles this. If you are managing your move independently, you may need to appoint a customs broker to handle the NZCS 218 submission and MPI documentation on your behalf.
Ready to Plan Your Removal?
Need help coordinating your international move or connecting with licensed advisers who specialise in relocation for investor visa holders?
Claim Your SpotUseful Resources
Official Government Links
Contact MPI Directly
- General Enquiries: 0800 00 83 33
- MPI Clearances: 0800 22 20 18
- Overseas: +64 4 894 0100