Shipping to New Zealand: the complete guide

Are you an online retailer looking to expand into New Zealand? Then you're probably asking: how much does a parcel to New Zealand cost, how long does it take, what can you put in it, which carriers ship there, and are there customs charges? We've gathered the answers in this guide, so you can focus on selling while we take care of the rest.

Your parcel to New Zealand: the green islands are waiting

Did you know that wherever you are in New Zealand, you're never more than 136 km from the sea, surrounded by fascinating landscapes? New Zealand is a remarkably diverse country with far more to offer than kiwis and sheep, of which there are about ten times as many as there are people. E-commerce there keeps growing steadily, and there's surely still room for your products, so print a shipping label with Sendcloud and send your parcel to New Zealand on its way.

E-commerce in New Zealand: few people, plenty of sales

New Zealand's online retail sector is booming. In a recent survey, 61% of the population said they order something online at least once a year, so there are already plenty of potential customers for your products, plus the remaining share still waiting to be won over and to receive a parcel from you.

The main carriers for shipping to New Zealand

Your parcel to New Zealand has a long journey ahead, halfway around the world, so smooth, efficient shipping matters. To guarantee reliable delivery, Sendcloud works with leading carriers. With globally optimized logistics networks, they make sure your parcels cross the ocean quickly and safely.

DHL

Excellence. Simply delivered. You can take that promise literally, because DHL delivers to New Zealand punctually and reliably, with a clear price-performance structure offering different transit times at matching prices.

General parcel limits with DHL:

• Minimum dimensions: 15 x 11 x 1 cm

• Maximum dimensions: 120 x 60 x 60 cm

• Girth (L + 2x W + 2x H): max. 300 cm

• Weight: max. 30 kg

Note: for rolls, the maximum length is 120 cm, the diameter max. 15 cm, and the weight max. 5 kg. With DHL Express Easy International the minimum size is 21 x 15.2 cm, the maximum 120 x 60 x 60 cm, and the weight up to 31.5 kg.

DPD

DPD knows what it takes to deliver your parcel to New Zealand quickly, safely, and reliably, with precise tracking and clear transit times, plus an express service for time-critical shipments. Sizes and weights:

• XS: max. 35 cm (shortest + longest side); max. 31.5 kg

• S: max. 50 cm (shortest + longest side); max. 31.5 kg

• M: max. 70 cm (shortest + longest side); max. 31.5 kg

• L: max. 90 cm (shortest + longest side); max. 31.5 kg

• XL: max. 300 cm (girth); max. 31.5 kg

GLS

GLS is a dependable choice too, offering high service quality and reliable worldwide shipping. What to keep in mind for GLS parcels:

• Width: 80 cm | Height: 60 cm | Length: 200 cm

• Weight: up to 40 kg

• Girth: 300 cm (parcel circumference plus longest side)

UPS

From pickup, or drop-off at a UPS Access Point, right through to delivery on the green islands, your parcel is in good hands with UPS. Requirements:

• Maximum length: 274 cm

• Girth (L + 2x W + 2x H): max. 400 cm

• Weight: max. 70 kg

UPS services for New Zealand include UPS Express Saver (economical express delivery within 5-10 days) and UPS Worldwide Express Freight (the B2B solution with delivery within 4 days).

What can't DHL ship to New Zealand?

New Zealand's general import rules apply. You may not ship the following:

• Unprocessed food

• Animals and animal products

• Plants

• Plant products

Convenient pickup

If you don't have time to drop your goods off at a parcel shop, our carriers can collect your shipments directly from you.

Who handles the last mile in New Zealand?

Depending on the carrier you choose, your parcel is handed to different local providers on arrival. Parcels shipped with DHL, for example, are taken over and delivered by New Zealand Post, while carriers such as UPS, DPD, and GLS organize delivery themselves or through local partners. Note that CourierPost, a courier service of NZ Post, handles domestic delivery within New Zealand only and isn't part of international shipping to the country.

Parcel storage at the New Zealand post office

New Zealand Post has one delivery quirk worth knowing: it accepts parcels and holds them for collection for up to two months. The one thing to note is that from the eighth day of storage, this service becomes chargeable.

How to address a parcel to New Zealand

The New Zealand address format differs from many others in a few details. In addition to the recipient, you can include an apartment number. The next line holds the house number and street name (mind the order). If your recipient has given a building name, you can place it on a separate line before the street name. If the house number includes a letter, write it directly after the number with no space, for example 22B, not 22 B.

Because New Zealand has many rural areas, a rural delivery route often follows, marked with RD and the relevant route number. In larger cities this is omitted, and in rare cases a suburb is given. The recipient's town, the postcode, and the country follow. New Zealand postcodes have four digits: the first indicates the delivery region, the second and third indicate the delivery type, and the fourth indicates the exact route area within the region.

Here's how to write a New Zealand address correctly:

Mastermind Limited (company name)
John Doe (first name, last name)
66B Kiwi Road (house number, street)
RD 5 (delivery route)
Canterbury 9657 (town, postcode)
New Zealand (country)

The address above is only an example and doesn't exist.

Are there customs charges for parcels to New Zealand?

An EU-New Zealand free trade agreement is now in force, which simplifies trade between the two and removes tariffs on most goods. Even so, because you're shipping outside the EU, several rules and documents still apply, and duties can arise for certain goods and values. Read this section carefully to avoid unpleasant returns or transit delays that could leave your customers dissatisfied.

Commercial shipping to New Zealand

When you ship a parcel to New Zealand, you must give a clear description of the contents and enclose an international commercial invoice. If the invoice shows that the parcel's contents exceed a value of €1,000, the shipment must be explicitly declared to customs. Before you ship to New Zealand, you also need to apply for an EORI number.

Customs declaration CN22 and CN23

When you ship goods internationally, you have to complete a CN22 or CN23 customs declaration. Which one you need depends on these factors:

• For packets worth up to 300 SDR (about €350), complete a CN22 customs declaration.

• For packets worth more than 300 SDR (about €350), you need the CN23 customs declaration.

• For parcels, always use the CN23 form.

• For letters containing printed matter and other documents, the CN22 form is optional.

Customs declaration and tariff numbers

In addition to the customs declaration (CN22/CN23) and the commercial invoice, you need an Economic Operators' Registration and Identification (EORI) number to ship to New Zealand without trouble. You can apply for it easily with your customs authority. One more tip: on your commercial invoice, every product must be classified with an HS (tariff) code so that any duties and taxes can be calculated correctly.

What are Incoterms?

Incoterms stands for International Commercial Terms and comprises 11 rules that clearly define who is responsible for what in international trade. Incoterms are therefore required on every commercial invoice and govern all the duties, risks, and costs that arise during the exchange of goods between the buyer and you as the seller.

Shipping to New Zealand: what's allowed and what isn't?

To be completely sure your goods may be sent to New Zealand, it's best to contact your chosen carrier directly. There are several goods that may not be shipped to New Zealand under any circumstances, including:

• Unprocessed food

• Animals

• Animal products

• Plants

• Plant products

• Wooden or cardboard boxes previously used to transport fruit, vegetables, or meat

How can your customers track their parcel?

The more personal the buying experience, the stronger your customers' emotional connection to your brand, which has a positive effect on your conversion. To offer the best experience, you can use Sendcloud's track & trace to create your own tracking page in your corporate design and boost your revenue over the long term. With Sendcloud you always keep an eye on your customers' shipments, check the location at any time, and send status emails in your own branding.

How much does shipping to New Zealand cost?

Your shipping costs to New Zealand depend on the carrier, the chosen service, the weight of the parcel or packet, and any added services such as shipping insurance. With a free Sendcloud account you can use the rate calculator to see exact prices, and benefit from pre-negotiated shipping rates.

How long does delivery to New Zealand take?

Delivery time to New Zealand varies between 7 and 14 business days, depending on the carrier you choose. Bear in mind that transit can be delayed further by public holidays in New Zealand, and make sure all the required customs documents are in order so you avoid nasty surprises. As a guide, here are the usual transit times:

Please note: these are standard transit times, which are usually met but not guaranteed.

Ship around the globe with Sendcloud

Sendcloud is your reliable partner for worldwide shipping. Whether you're sending parcels to the land of the Māori or just to a neighboring country, Sendcloud is the ideal solution, with leading carriers, smart shipping rules, personalized tracking, and a returns portal. Questions about shipping to New Zealand? Get in touch with our team.