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Planning a move to the Land of the Long White Cloud? In our complete guide, we explain both shipping prices and times, as well as show you how to prepare your container for transport and customs. Read on!
The cost of shipping a 20ft container to New Zealand is around $15,000, and a 40ft container costs around $25,000.
However, the ranges below indicate the prices for this common route depending on where you start your move:
| Origin | 20-foot container | 40-foot container |
| New York | $ 14,000 – $ 15,500 | $ 25,000 – $ 30,000 |
| Chicago | $ 18,000 – $ 20,000 | $ 34,000 – $ 37,000 |
| Los Angeles | $ 6,500 – $ 7,500 | $ 12,000 – $ 13,000 |
| Houston | $ 13,000 – $ 15,000 | $ 25,000 – $ 28,000 |
| Seattle | $ 6,500 – $ 7,500 | $ 12,000 – $ 13,500 |
| Miami | $ 14,000 – $ 16,000 | $ 26,000 – $ 30,000 |
*Disclaimer: Please be aware that these ranges are merely estimates. Rates for a shipping container to New Zealand regularly fluctuate per season and carrier.
Keep in mind that several factors will determine container shipping rates, but two tend to have the most impact: the size and distance of your move.
Many soon-to-be expats find themselves in an uncomfortable position with the amount they need to move: too much to bring on a plane, but too little to warrant an entire container. What to do?
Enter shared container shipping, a popular solution for small moves. Often referred to as LCL shipments or ‘less than container loads‘, you get to share a container with someone else, drastically reducing the price. It is an effective budget option, especially for those relocating for shorter periods.
Read About Sharing OptionsTake a look at the following companies that ship to New Zealand from the USA and compare their services to choose the one that fits better your needs.
We are firm believers in shopping around to find the best price. However, finding and contacting quality moving companies in search of quotes can be difficult and time-consuming. After all, you have a whole move to plan!
To make this easy, by filling out the form below you will receive up to five free no-strings-attached moving quotes from trustworthy, reliable movers.
While the prices for container shipping to New Zealand from the USA vary by port of departure, there are also other things to consider: how much container space you will rent, logistics… but don’t worry, we’ll put it all in simple terms to ease your mind.
The average cost of shipping furniture from the USA to New Zealand can range from $7,500 – $9,000 for a 1-bedroom house and can increase to $12,000 – $15,500 for a 3-bedroom house.
If you’re not sure about the volume of your move, you can estimate it easily with our handy moving space calculator 👇.
Estimate My VolumeContainers come in two standard sizes, kind of like medium and large options for your move. While there is not much thinking to it, less is not always more!
A 20ft container has a volume of 33 m3 or 1,179 ft3. 40ft containers range from 66 m3 to 76 m3 (2,330 ft3 – 2684 ft3), depending on if it is extra tall.
We get into trouble when a 20ft container won’t quite fit, as upgrading to the next size costs a pretty penny. Thinking about downsizing to squeeze into that small container? Check out our downsizing guide!
New Zealand is a driving country, so it would make sense that you would want to ship your car along with your other possessions. However, keep in mind that in addition to the shipping costs, you will likely need to pay import fees on your vehicle.
Because they drive on the left side of the road in New Zealand, you may want to consider purchasing a car in New Zealand rather than having your steering wheel on the wrong side!
| City of Origin | 20ft Container Cost |
| New York | $ 16,000 – $ 22,000 |
| Chicago | $ 20,000 – $ 26,000 |
| Los Angeles | $ 9,000 – $ 13,000 |
| Houston | $ 15,000 – $ 21,000 |
| Seattle | $ 9,000 – $ 14,000 |
| Miami | $ 16,000 – $ 22,000 |
*Disclaimer: Please be aware that these ranges are merely estimates. Rates for a shipping container to New Zealand regularly fluctuate per season and carrier.
If you are going through the trouble of putting your stuff in a shipping container to New Zealand, we can imagine you probably want it all to arrive in one piece!
To ensure that you enjoy a smooth move, we list a few of our best tips for preparing a shipment to go overseas. Try to ‘contain’ your excitement!
✅ Prepare a thorough packing list
Creating a thorough inventory of your items will ensure that you not only don’t miss anything, but you can properly insure your items for their full value with your moving company. In addition, if your container is processed by customs officials, having a packing list will speed up the process.
✅ Become a packing wizard
We recommend investing in good bubble wrap as you prepare your items to be loaded into your shipping container to New Zealand. More than a normal move, overseas transport can be a bumpy ride.
✅ Don’t miss the boat
The last thing you want to hear when you’re on your first New Zealand hiking trip is that there is trouble with your container back home. For this reason, we recommend not boarding a plane until your ship has left the harbour.
By now we hope that you feel like an international logistics mastermind as you go about securing your move to New Zealand. With a strong understanding of the cost factors and preparations, we know you will make short work of the task. Need further assistance with your move? Then check out the articles linked below and FAQs for further reading. Good luck!
