Move to New Zealand

If you are a “Kiwi” returning home, or if you are immigrating to New Zealand, The Moving Company can take care of all your moving needs, co-ordinating the packing and shipping of your valued possessions or cars from anywhere in the world to New Zealand.

Through our global network of accredited partners we ensure a competitive move by arranging a minimum of two quotations, avoiding the time consuming process of you selecting and meeting numerous companies and potentially choosing a company that does not deliver its promises. We offer you the benefit of one point of contact for your entire move, one invoice in New Zealand dollars covering your move and insurance, payable in New Zealand. If you are still living overseas or you are in New Zealand already, simply complete our quotation request form and leave the rest to us.

The Moving Company is equipped to handle all your importation requirements with a branch network throughout New Zealand, which are managed by a team of highly respected professionals within the industry.

We are proud of what our company has to offer new immigrants and returning New Zealanders. We trust the following information is of assistance.

The Moving Company recognises that our strength is our people, we understand the need for good communication and will be pleased to respond to any queries you may have prior to relocating to New Zealand. We look forward to being of service to you.

Destination Services

On arrival in New Zealand you will be contacted by our import team to co-ordinate the completion of customs and quarantine documentation. 

You will be required to provide us with your Passport(s) (or a certified legible photocopy) so that NZ Customs can verify that residency has been granted, or the length of time a returning New Zealander has been away from New Zealand.

After clearing your shipment through Customs and Agriculture, our staff will arrange a mutually suitable time to deliver your shipment. Your household and personal effects will be unloaded, unwrapped and unpacked to hard stand surfaces, by our experienced, trained staff. Following the completion of the unpacking to your satisfaction, we will remove all the waste packing materials for recycling and return the container that was used to ship your belongings to New Zealand.

If you have a sole use container for your shipment and all customs and quarantine formalities have been completed, delivery will be direct from the port of entry to your residence, normally within 5-7 working days.

If your shipment is in a shared container you should allow 10-12 working days for clearance and delivery to your new home.

Duty Free Customs Regulations

If you are an immigrant to New Zealand you will be permitted to import your household and personal effects free of duty and GST (Goods & Services Tax) provided:

• You have been granted permanent residency by New Zealand Immigration.
• You have owned and used all items prior to shipping.
• If you are relocating to New Zealand on a fixed term Employment Contract, of longer than 24 months, i.e. you will not be applying for New Zealand residency, please ensure you have a letter from your employer, stating the term of your contract. This will enable your household and personal effects to be cleared without Duty and GST.

Please advise our partner of your arrival date to New Zealand. If your shipment arrives in New Zealand prior to you, New Zealand Customs will require The Moving Company to complete a “Sight Entry”. New Zealand Customs may inspect your shipment and require a duty deposit from your nominated representative based on the insured value, until you arrive and provide proof of entry into New Zealand. At this time your deposit will be refunded.

If you are a returning New Zealander and have been out of the country for less than 21 months, all items purchased overseas will be levied GST and/or customs duty. For further detailed information you can visit www.customs.govt.nz or email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Agriculture Information

To protect New Zealand’s “clean and green” environment, our Ministry of Agriculture has strict regulations on the importation of items into New Zealand. We must submit a full, descriptive inventory showing the contents of your shipment to the Agriculture Department at the time of clearance. Depending on the contents, your shipment may be subject to inspection, and if ordered, fumigation. All charges for these services will be payable by you, in New Zealand, to us. Booking Agriculture Inspections can take up to 3 days and fumigation a further 7 days.

Items Subject to Inspection:

• Garden tools, bicycles, camping equipment, golf clubs, horse riding gear – we recommend that you thoroughly clean these items prior to shipping to avoid fumigation.
• Vacuum cleaners – we recommend you empty this item prior to shipping.
• Caneware – do not ship cane-ware items unless they have been commercially manufactured. Items bought at local markets are likely to require fumigation.
• Food – provided this has been commercially manufactured, it is acceptable to include in your shipment (i.e. sealed).
• Goods packed by yourself.
• Do not ship the following items:
• Canned or dried meats, spices (unless commercially prepared), honey, dairy and egg products.
• Beekeeping equipment.
• Ivory, Tortoise or Turtle Shell (in any form).
• Plants of any kind.
• Items made of, or including derivatives from rhinoceros, tigers, whales, dolphins and wild cats – including sporting trophies.
• Pinecones – particularly in Christmas decorations.

If you have any doubts regarding items that you may wish to include in your shipment, we recommend you discuss these with our partner, or for additional information visit www.quarantine.govt.nz

Bringing Your Car to New Zealand

First time immigrants to New Zealand may import a motor vehicle free of Customs Duty and GST provided you have:

• Owned and used the vehicle for 12 months prior to shipping
• You agree to retain the vehicle for 2 years after arrival to New Zealand.

Returning New Zealanders will be required to pay GST on all vehicles shipped back to New Zealand.

All motor vehicles must have an authorised certificate provided for the Ministry of Agriculture that it was steam cleaned prior to shipping. The interior of the vehicle must also be cleaned. Do not include household and personal effects in your vehicle – these items cannot be cleared under your Motor Vehicle Clearance.

All shippers of motor vehicles may be required to attend an interview with New Zealand Customs at the port of entry. Invoiced proof of purchase, ownership papers, current drivers licence, plus an invoice for shipping and insurance costs will be required at this interview. Once the motor vehicle has been unloaded and inspected you will need to arrange an inspection of your vehicle to ensure that it complies with all New Zealand regulations before being driven on the road. Our coordinators will assist you with these arrangements, however no motor vehicle should be shipped to New Zealand before a certificate of compliance is obtained from the vehicle manufacturer. New laws implemented in April 2002 restrict many cars being imported. Further details and compliance issuers are detailed at www.ltsa.govt.nz.

In New Zealand our cars are right hand drive – if you are wanting to import a left hand drive vehicle – please contact our office before shipping.

Please request a copy of the current Customs pamphlets covering the importation of motor vehicles in New Zealand from our partner, or visit www.customs.govt.nz

Bringing Liquor/Alcohol into New Zealand

Wine and spirits can be imported into New Zealand Duty free provided:

• It is not for resale in New Zealand
• It is an “acceptable” quantity

If you have large quantities to include in your shipment, we would recommend they be of “varied” labels and you bring with you a “Cellar Book”, showing cost and date of purchase. New Zealand Customs generally treat the importation of wines and spirits with leniency, provided they have proof the alcohol will not be sold on arrival and is for personal consumption/collection.

Bringing Firearms into New Zealand

Firearms may be imported into New Zealand provided a permit is obtained from the New Zealand Police Department. Automatic military type weapons and guns may not be permitted entry. These items must be stowed at the rear of your shipment for easy access, as they will be confiscated by the Customs Authorities on arrival until the required Permit/Firearms Licence is obtained by you.

The importation of other types of weapons, including flick knives, daggers, swordsticks, knuckle dusters or replica weapons are prohibited. Other prohibited items include controlled drugs, prescribed medicines (unless its use has been authorised) and objectionable/indecent articles and material.

Bringing Pets into New Zealand

Most families in New Zealand have pets and your pet will also be welcome. However, prior to its entry into New Zealand an “Application to Import” must be made with the Ministry of Agriculture.

Most arrivals will require a quarantine period in an acceptable country (i.e. United Kingdom, Norway, Sweden or Hawaii) for a period up to 6 months prior to flying to New Zealand.

Please discuss with our partner or contact The Moving Company if you require further information on the regulations relating to the importation of animals into New Zealand, or visit www.quarantine.govt.nz.

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