Removals to New Zealand from the UK

Sea freight times from the UK to New Zealand are around 6-8 weeks for a full container load (FCL) or 8-12 weeks for a shared container/groupage service (Sometimes called less than container load – LCL). In addition, you will also need to allow added time for customs clearance.

Usually, it will take our professional packers 2-4 days to pack and load a container.

If you are only sending boxes or luggage from UK to New Zealand, then we recommend you use our Excess Baggage Service for your move. Your belongings will be sent as part load in a shared container as ‘groupage’ with other customers. This saves you money as the cost of the container is shared by everyone.

For more details and to get an online quote visit our box shipping to New Zealand page.

• UK’s leading specialist international removal company
• Help thousands of people move to New Zealand every year
• Over 40 years of experience as international removalists
• Independent family run moving company
• Fully accredited to the highest standards for international moves
• Achieved FIDI FAIM Top Performer Status
• Long serving removal staff with knowledge and expertise
• Staff training by BAR and FIDI
• Members BAR Payment Guarantee Scheme

You can use our online calculator to get a quick estimate.

However, for a more accurate quote, we recommend you book an appointment for a Home Survey or Video Survey with one of our International Removal Consultants.

Not only will they be able to calculate your volume, but they will also provide free expert advice on packing requirements, the shipping process, customs and what you should and should not take.

New Zealand has unique flora and fauna and so has stringent biosecurity to protect the environment.

New Zealand, therefore, has a comprehensive list of items that are either prohibited or on restricted entry into the country, which you should observe before your consignment is shipped.

Also, you must ensure that you thoroughly clean any outdoor items before shipping.

If you try to import prohibited or restricted items they may be confiscated and / or you may face additional charges from NZ MPI for cleaning, or other treatment.

Please see our FIDI New Zealand Customs Information Guide for more details.

What Items are prohibited to import into New Zealand?

• Weapons disguised as any other object
• Weapons such as butterfly knives, flick knives, swordsticks, knuckle-dusters
• Objectionable material on videotapes, films, records, CD-ROMs, magazines etc.
• Equipment used for the consumption of cannabis or methamphetamine
• Anything planned for use as part of a crime

Restricted imports to New Zealand where pre-approval may be required are:

• Ivory in all forms, including carvings and jewellery
• All meat or food derived from dolphins, whales, cranes, pheasants and sea turtles
• Tortoise or sea turtle shell jewellery and ornaments
• Carvings and products made from or with whalebone or bones from marine animals
• Cat skins
• Medicine containing musk, or tiger or rhinoceros derivatives i.e. bone or horn
• Carnivorous plants
• Live species including hawks, owls, eagles, parrots, cacti, orchids, cycads and cyclamens
• Trophies of all big cats, rare reptiles, sea turtles, cranes, pheasants, bears, deer and antelope

Artwork and Antiques

If you have antiques valued at NZD$1000 or above you will need an import declaration. You can import antiques over 100 years old free of duty if you can provide a Certificate of Antiquity.

As PSS are members of BAR your removal costs are covered by the BAR Advance Payment Guarantee Scheme. As a member of FIDI Global Alliance and having achieved FIDI FAIM top performer status, you can be assured that PSS and our partners in New Zealand have the highest standards of professionalism in international moves.

However, due to the nature of international removals and shipping, it is highly recommended that you take out a Maritime Insurance policy or Shipment Protection Cover. At PSS we offer and recommend Shipment Protection Cover which is very flexible and has a lot of advantages.

PSS International Shipment Protection Cover

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.

Actual costs are calculated as a percentage of the value you wish to cover. These vary depending on whether it’s self-packed or packed by professional overseas movers. For more information speak to one of our advisers.

For international furniture removals, items need to be wrapped and packed to a high standard to ensure they arrive at your new house in perfect condition no matter whether it’s sofas, tables, chairs or other furniture.

We use export standard packing materials and professionally trained packers who specialise in international removals to ensure your furniture arrives in perfect condition.

It is recommended to use professional international removalists who are specially trained and experienced in export wrapping and packing for overseas furniture removals.

However, we do have an option available if you want to pack your belongings yourself

Your dedicated Move Manager will advise you on the required shipping documents and help you with their completion. Example documents required are:

• NZCS 218 unaccompanied personal effects customs form
• Supplementary declaration
• Removal inventory (PSS will prepare this if PSS are packing)
• Valuation form for Shipment Protection cover
• Copy of your passport and visa
• Letter of authority (if not in New Zealand when goods arrive)
• Purchase receipts (only applicable if you are importing any newly purchased goods)
• Certificate of Compliance (if you are importing a car)

PSS International provide a full door to door international removal service which includes delivery of items to your new home.

We will contact you before your container arrives in New Zealand to ensure that we have all your relevant paperwork to enable us to start the customs clearance process as well as making sure that we have your correct requirements in place for delivery. If you are not ready to take delivery we can arrange to store your effects at one of our nearest depots.

• Delivery to all locations in New Zealand
• Dedicated FIDI regulated international movers in New Zealand
• Dedicated import clerk in New Zealand
• Customs clearance
• Up to date information on delivery & customs clearance process
• Trained import delivery NZ removalist team
• Unpacking of all furniture & removal of any packaging materials on the day of delivery

If you meet the criteria below you may be able to import your belongings without paying any duty or tax. However, other fees and charges from NZ MPI will still apply.

For more details we recommend you read our FIDI Customs Guide for New Zealand and speak to our team.

• Household goods imported by returning New Zealanders are admitted free of duty and GST provided they have resided outside New Zealand for more than 21 months and that the goods have been owned and used overseas by them.
• Household goods imported by migrants are admitted free of duty and GST where the migrant holds a permanent residency visa, a “work to residence” visa or a work permit (valid for at least 12 months) in their passport upon arrival of the goods in New Zealand. The goods must have been owned and used overseas prior to importation.
• The owner of the goods must be in New Zealand upon importation to qualify for duty and GST free entry, or within 6 months of arrival of the goods against payment of a monetary bond (Minimum NZ$500). If the owner does not arrive within 6 months any bond paid is forfeited and an additional processing fee will apply.

This is not a problem as all we will require is a contact address and contact details. The delivery address can be advised at a later date or when you arrive.

If required, we can also arrange storage of your household goods and personal effects in New Zealand whilst you arrange your new home. Once you’re ready our local movers will be able to deliver your belongings.