Shipping a Motorhome to New Zealand: Touring in Your Own Campervan or 4x4

How does shipping a motorhome to New Zealand work?

1. Get instant pricing in about 2 minutes and book a RORO sailing 2–3 months ahead, direct or via Australia.
2. Decide between a carnet de passages and a cash deposit, and apply for the carnet early.
3. Clean the vehicle inside and out and check for stink bug treatment if it ships between September and April.
4. Take out gas bottles, run the fuel down and stow any permitted camping items out of sight.
5. Deliver it to the departure port, usually in the week before sailing.
6. On arrival MPI inspects it, customs clears it, and an entry certifier carries out the basic safety inspection.
7. Get the warrant or certificate of fitness, register it on form MR2C, and drive.

What does it cost?

Campervan or motorhome

US$4,920–7,240 sea freight

4x4 camper or overlander

US$3,540–6,190 sea freight

Expedition truck

US$7,570–11,450 sea freight

MPI port inspection

NZ$99.60 under 3,500 kg, NZ$122.23 over 3,500 kg, including GST

Inspection at a container or transitional facility

NZ$178.83 an hour, also charged for re-inspection after cleaning

Local port and clearance charges

Confirmed with your quote

Registration

ACC levy only, as an overseas visitor's vehicle

Marine insurance

Not included unless stated; motorhomes from €300 single trip, for values up to €50,000

The sea freight ranges are the lower and upper quartiles of our quotes on the UK and Europe to Australia and New Zealand route in the last 90 days. Instant pricing gives the figure for your New Zealand port and dates.

Carnet or cash deposit?

New Zealand Customs lets you bring a vehicle in free of duty if it will leave with you. With a carnet de passages, no security is needed. Without one you pay a cash deposit covering the full duty and charges, refunded when the vehicle leaves on time. On a motorhome or campervan the duty is 10% and GST is 15%, charged on the value plus freight, insurance and duty, so the deposit can be large and a carnet usually makes more sense.

Temporary entry is normally one year. A one-off extension may be granted if you ask at least a month ahead; carnet holders also need the issuing office to agree.

Warrant of fitness and registration for a visiting vehicle

Safety inspection

A basic safety inspection by an NZTA entry certifier. Full entry certification and New Zealand standards do not apply

WoF or CoF

A warrant of fitness or certificate of fitness, depending on the vehicle, after the inspection

Registration

As an overseas visitor's vehicle on form MR2C. Your overseas registration must stay current and in your name, and your plates stay on

Condition

In good working order, under the Geneva Convention

Left-hand drive

Headlamps must be adjusted for driving on the left

Diesel vehicles in New Zealand pay road user charges by distance; we confirm the rules for your vehicle before you ship.

MPI biosecurity, stink bugs and asbestos

Every vehicle must arrive clean, free of soil, plant matter and animals, under MPI's Vehicles, Machinery and Parts import health standard. Clean the engine bay, wheel arches, underbody, lockers, awnings and outdoor gear before it ships.

Stink bug rules apply to target goods exported from 1 September and arriving by 30 April. Treatment must be done offshore by an MPI-approved provider before arrival. The UK is not a target risk country, but goods transhipped through a risk country must meet extra conditions, which matters for sailings via European hubs. Australia has no MPI-approved treatment providers, so plan an Australia to New Zealand crossing in season with us early.

New Zealand has banned importing goods that contain asbestos since 1 October 2016, with no exception for vehicles, so check brake and clutch linings and gaskets on older vehicles.

Preparing your vehicle for shipping: the checklist →

Australia and New Zealand: import rules, biosecurity and asbestos →

Freedom camping: self-containment rules

Since 7 June 2026, every vehicle needs a green warrant to be certified self-contained. The toilet must be fixed to the floor, and vehicles with a portable toilet can no longer be certified. The warrant card must be displayed when you camp in areas restricted to self-contained vehicles, and breaking the rules can lead to a fine. Whether a visiting vehicle can be certified depends on its fittings; we confirm the rules for your vehicle before you ship. Without certification, plan to stay at campsites and holiday parks.

Gas, belongings, insurance and customs

• Removable gas bottles out; any bottle or fixed tank that stays must be empty with a gas-free certificate
• Limited tourism items on some carriers, stowed out of sight, at your own risk unless covered by contents cover on marine insurance taken through us (up to €15,000 for motorhomes)
• Marine cargo insurance for the crossing through IVSS; for motor insurance on New Zealand roads we give you contacts and introductions to insurers
• Customs clearance support through our broker, a local agent we introduce, or your own broker
• The vehicle travels inside the ship's enclosed hold; IVSS is a member of BIFA and FIATA

Get a shipping quote

Shipping home or onward

The vehicle must leave New Zealand with you before the temporary entry ends, and a carnet must be stamped out. Many travellers do Australia first and cross to New Zealand, about 4–9 days by sea, then ship home to the UK or Europe.

Shipping a motorhome to Australia →