International Removals
Container shipping to New Zealand
Shipping Container to New Zealand from £1600*
Get a cost for container shipping to New Zealand from UK – best rates for 20ft & 40ft containers
Moving to New Zealand and need to ship your personal effects? Our shipping container to New Zealand service combines the best pricing with the best customer service for both new migrants and expats returning home. Whether you need to ship your belongings to Auckland, Wellington, Tauranga, Queenstown or anywhere else in New Zealand, our door-to-door service is here to help.
The cost of shipping a container to New Zealand usually starts at about £1,600 for a shared container (LCL), while prices for a full container service (FCL) rise to approximately £4,890 for a 20ft container and £7,650 for a 40ft container. The costs for a standard house move to New Zealand vary depending on the size of your home and the type of service needed as well as the exact location you’re moving to within New Zealand. Our experienced team can help you decide which container size will best fit your move.
Delivery times to New Zealand usually range from about 6-8 weeks for a full container using sea freight to 8-12 weeks for a shared container (groupage). Air freight to New Zealand for container shipping takes about 7-10 days. These time ranges can vary depending on the weather, how busy the port is, New Zealand public holidays and the specific address you’re looking to have your items delivered to.
Other aspects you may need to consider include packing, inventory, customs clearance, and delivery to your address, but a professional shipping and removal company like PSS handles all of this for you. For 40 years, we’ve helped families with everything from cars, small shipments of furniture, tea cartons and personal effects to complete home removals including the kitchen sink!
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How Much Does Container Shipping to New Zealand Cost?
Containers to New Zealand from £1,600*
The cost of shipping a container from the UK to New Zealand will depend on a couple of factors like the container size you’re looking to use and which city in New Zealand you’re shipping to. For example, a rural location will be more expensive than a post city due to the extended shipping time and a 20ft container will cost less than a 40ft shipping container to New Zealand.
You can see an approximation of the pricing ranges below or contact our team for an exact quote.
Typical Shipping Container UK to New Zealand Cost 2026
In as little as 6-8 weeks
(Costs last updated February 2026)
*Actual shipping costs vary depending on where in the UK you are and where in New Zealand you are shipping to.
| Container Size | Move Type | Cost |
| Groupage | 5 Large Boxes | £315 – £355 |
| Groupage | 10 Large Boxes | £495 – £535 |
| Groupage | 1 Bed House | £1600 – £1900 |
| 20 ft Container | 3 Bed House | £4890 – £5890 |
| 40 ft Container | 4 Bed House | £7650 – £8650 |
Don’t Just Take Our Word For It – Check Out Our Reviews
Shipping your container to New Zealand is easy with PSS
STEP 1
Home Survey or Quote
Get an online quote in 60 seconds or book a FREE home survey.
STEP 2
Help and Advice
Your dedicated Account Manager can help answer your questions and tailor your shipping requirements.
STEP 3
Quick and easy collection and shipping
Whether you are shipping your house contents boxes or furniture you will have our professional packing service.
STEP 4
Customs clearance & delivery to your new home
On arrival our agents will take care of customs clearance and deliver to your door.
How can we help? Call 0800 988 3711
Our friendly team are on hand to answer any questions.
What Does Our Container Shipping to New Zealand Service Include?
- Door-to-door shipping container UK to NZ
- Both part and full load removal services available
- A dedicated Move Manager
- Assistance with any required documentation
- Export-quality packing materials
- Choice between self-pack or a professional packing service
- Advice on customs requirements
- Customs clearance on arrival
- Storage in the UK or New Zealand if required
Full or Shared Container Shipping to New Zealand
At PSS, we offer two ways of shipping a container to New Zealand alongside the two container sizes we supply (20ft and 40ft). We’ve explained the differences below and offered some guidance on how to choose the best option for your move:
For smaller shipments, we offer a shared container shipping option, also known as groupage or LCL (less than container load). Your personal effects will be arranged together with those of other customers shipping to New Zealand and the pricing will be split depending on the volume of your belongings.
If you’re shipping a larger amount, for example a full household move, we offer a full container load shipping to New Zealand service. We’ll provide a full container for your sole use which will be delivered to your home where our team will pack and customs seal it before sending it off to the port to be shipped to New Zealand.
Our shipping container to New Zealand service is designed for household goods e.g. furniture and other personal belongings of those moving to New Zealand. If you’re looking to ship commercial goods, we recommend you get in touch with a commercial freight forwarder.
Container Shipping to New Zealand Cost Calculator
Want to know how much it will cost to send your belongings to New Zealand? Our free online Cost Calculator will help you estimate the cost of the move for both air and sea freight options with only a brief description needed.
How Long Does Shipping Containers to New Zealand Take?
Shipping times to New Zealand range from 6 to 8 weeks for a full container (FCL) and between 8 and 12 weeks for a shared container (LCL). These are approximate shipping times to port only. You will need to allow additional time for customs clearance and final delivery to your destination.
Transit times can vary depending on the shipping option used and the end destination. Shared (part-load) container shipping takes longer than a sole-use container load, as different customers’ shipments need to be consolidated to fill a single container. However, as one of the UK’s leading companies for shipping to NZ, PSS have regular sailings every week, so we will aim to ship your belongings on the next available container.
| Destination | Full Container Load (FCL) | Shared Container (Groupage / LCL) | Air Freight to New Zealand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wellington | 6-8 weeks | 8-12 weeks | 7-10 days |
| Auckland | 6-8 weeks | 8-12 weeks | 7-10 days |
| Christchurch | 6-8 weeks | 8-12 weeks | 7-10 days |
| Dunedin | 6-8 weeks | 8-12 weeks | 7-10 days |
| Tauranga | 6-8 weeks | 8-12 weeks | 7-10 days |
Customs Clearance in New Zealand for Container Shipping
As part of our NZ shipping service, we take care of everything from door to door, including exporting your container from the United Kingdom and importing it into New Zealand.
If you choose for us to pack your container for you, our team will make sure all your items are packed and shipped according to New Zealand customs requirements. We will also compile a customs inventory on your behalf and advise you of what other shipping documents and customs forms are required.
We appreciate that the customs process can be confusing and even overwhelming if you’re managing it on your own, which is why we strive to take the weight off your shoulders by handling it for you.
For a full list of restricted and prohibited items to ship to New Zealand, see our detailed guide here.
*Please note that our shipping quote includes basic customs clearance but not taxes, import duties and other customs charges such as any quarantine fees.
Container Shipping to New Zealand from UK FAQs
Below are answers to the most frequently asked questions about overseas container shipping to New Zealand. There is a lot to consider with international moving which is why we allocate you a Move Manager to guide you through the whole shipping process.
How long does shipping containers to New Zealand from the UK take?
Shipping containers to New Zealand from the UK typically takes from 6-8 weeks for a sole use container and 8-12 weeks for a shared container (groupage, also known as LCL), while air freight takes about 7 to 10 days. Part load container shipments take longer than full containers as multiple customers’ effects need arranging to fit a single container.
Keep in mind that these are approximations only and additional time needs to be allowed for customs clearance and delivery to the final address in New Zealand.
| Sea Freight Full Container | Sea Freight Shared Container | Air Freight | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Shipping Times | 6-8 weeks | 8-12 weeks | 7-10 days |
How much does shipping a container from the UK to New Zealand cost?
| Move Type | Container Size | Cost(GBP) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Bed House | Shared Container | £1600 – £1900 |
| 3 Bed House | 20 ft Container | £4890 – £5890 |
| 4 Bed House + Car | 40 ft Container | £7650 – £8650 |
Container shipping costs to New Zealand will vary considerably according to a number of factors such as exactly when and where you are from and too. Also the amount of packing required for your shipment.
To get a quick estimate you can use the container shipping cost calculator on this page.
Our shipping quotes are for a full international removal shipping service including packing, door to door delivery and customs clearance. Beware of cheap shipping rates that are only a basic port to port service which will mean additional packing costs and other fees.
Cheap container shipping rates from UK to New Zealand
We are also members of MTC (the Movers Traders Club) which provides us with economies of scale and allows us to negotiate the best sea freight rates with leading international shipping companies.
We are confident that we can offer you the cheapest rate to ship your container to New Zealand from the UK.
To get an accurate container shipping rate we suggest you book a free home or video survey.
How much is marine insurance or shipment protection?
We highly recommend you take out shipment protection cover or a marine insurance policy for your container.
We provide a very flexible shipment protection cover through Basil Fry & Company the UK’s leading insurance broker for international removals and shipping:
- Our policy is quick and easy to set up, simply complete our Shipment Protection valuation form with the items you would like to cover and their values.
- Removal (we pack) consignments cover costs 3% of the total insurable value you declare.
- Vehicle shipments cover costs 2% of the vehicles declared value.
- Self-Pack (you pack) consignments cover costs 5% of the total insurable value you declare.
- Baggage/Airfreight consignments, which are owner packed, will cost 5% of the total insurable value you declare.
What Size Shipping Containers Are There?
Shipping containers come in two standard sizes: 20ft and 40ft.
Our consultants will be able to advise you on what size meets your requirements.
We also have various shipping options to meet your needs including part load or shared containers.
| Size | 20ft Container | 40ft Container |
| Cubic Capacity (Volume) | 1050 cu ft (29.73 CBM) | 2100 cu ft (59.47 CBM) |
| Internal Length | 19′ 3 (5.87m) | 39’5 (12m) |
| Internal Dimensions | Width 7’8 (2.33m) Height 7’9 (2.35m) | |
| Door Dimensions | Width 7’8 (2.28m) Height 7’5 (2.26m) | |
| Weight | 2225kg | 3950 kg |
| Cargo Weight | 21700 kg | 26500 kg |
*Exact container dimensions and available volume may vary.
Other sizes of container are available upon request – contact us for more details.
Shared or part load (LCL) shipping containers to New Zealand
For smaller shipments we provide a shared or part load shipping container service. Your goods will be grouped together with those of other customers shipping to New Zealand so the costs can be shared based on how much you send.
This is sometimes referred to as groupage or LCL (Less than Container Load).
This method of shipping is very economical, but you may need to allow for increased shipping time as the contents of the container will need to be consolidated from different customers.
Sole use or full container load (FCL) to New Zealand
For shipping larger amounts such as a full household removal to New Zealand, we can provide a container for your sole use.
We will arrange for the container to be delivered to your home where we will pack it and it will be customs sealed before heading to the port to embark for New Zealand.
This method of shipping has a number of advantages since you can fill your container with all your belongings.
As you have a full container for your sole use, it is also secure, economical and there are no delays in shipping – once it is full it can go directly to the ship for loading.
Which container shipping company do you use for sea freight to New Zealand?
PSS International Removals are accredited by BAR and FIDI. We therefore only use accredited container shipping companies such as Maersk, MSC, Hapag-Lloyd and One to transport your belongings. This ensures the highest level of service.
By using the best international shipping companies for your move to New Zealand, you can be assured that your possessions will be taken care of.
Also as members of many accredited organisations, such as The Movers Traders Club, we are able to negotiate very favourable rates and pass these savings onto you.
How Does Customs Clearance Work When Importing a container into NZ?
As part of our New Zealand shipping service we will take care of everything for you from door to door. This includes exporting your container from the United Kingdom and importing into New Zealand.
Our shipping quote includes basic customs clearance but not taxes, import duties and other customs charges such as any quarantine fees.
If we pack your container for you then we will compile a customs inventory on your behalf and we will also advise you of what other shipping documents are required.
We recommend you carefully read the FIDI Customs Guide for New Zealand so that you are aware of the customs process and what you can and can’t ship to New Zealand.
In particular, check the list of prohibited and restricted items, and the conditions for duty / tax free entry into New Zealand.
Which New Zealand shipping ports do you deliver to? Can you deliver inland?
PSS ships to all ports and onward destinations in New Zealand from the UK, including inland locations with door-to-door delivery of all your personal effects and vehicles. Some of our most popular New Zealand destinations include:
- Tauranga
- Auckland
- Wellington
- Napier
- Lyttelton
- Otago
Wherever you’re moving to in New Zealand our team is here to help with onward transportation from ports available for all container shipping loads. Get in touch with our team to find out more.
