Vehicle Shipping to Australia and New Zealand

A standard car typically costs US$2,510–2,960 in RORO sea freight, a 4x4 US$2,710–3,540 and a motorhome US$4,910–7,280, based on IVSS quotes in the last 90 days. Allow about US$1,500–2,500 for Australian import costs, plus duty and GST if importing permanently.

Book RORO or a container 2–3 months ahead from a UK or European port to Melbourne or Auckland; there are several sailings a month and the voyage takes about 37–66 days. For a visit, bring a valid Carnet de Passages, with the original at our local agent at least a week before the ship arrives; with a carnet you do not need Vehicle Import Approval for Australia. For a permanent import, get Vehicle Import Approval before the vehicle ships. Clean the vehicle thoroughly, including the underside, wheel arches and engine bay: Australia is very strict about dirt and seeds, and on arrival the vehicle is cleared by customs, inspected for biosecurity and cleaned if needed. Instant pricing gives your price from the vehicle's length, width and height.

For a standard car, RORO sea freight is typically US$2,510–2,960, based on IVSS quotes in the last 90 days, plus about US$1,500–2,500 in Australian import costs paid to the local agent: about US$4,010–5,460 before any duty and GST. Visitors on a carnet pay no duty as long as the vehicle leaves again; a permanent import pays 5% duty (0% for UK-built cars), 10% GST and, above the threshold, Luxury Car Tax. Bigger vehicles cost more: see the prices by vehicle above.

RORO sea freight is typically US$4,910–7,280 for a motorhome, US$3,530–6,040 for a 4x4 camper and US$7,890–11,450 for an expedition truck, based on IVSS quotes in the last 90 days, plus about US$1,500–2,500 in Australian import costs before duty and GST. Large vehicles must be spotless for the biosecurity inspection. Use Instant pricing with your vehicle's length, width and height for an exact price.

IVSS (International Vehicle Shipping Services) ships cars, 4x4s, campers, motorhomes and trucks from UK and European ports to Melbourne and Auckland by RORO or container, and works with a local agent for customs and biosecurity clearance. The ships are run by RORO and container lines, which rarely deal with private customers directly. IVSS is a member of BIFA and FIATA and gives Instant pricing online.

Sailings take about 37–66 days to Melbourne and 37–63 days to Auckland, depending on carrier and port, with several sailings a month. Australia to New Zealand takes 4–9 days.

Ships leave Southampton for Melbourne two or three times a week, counting RORO and container services, for Sydney and Brisbane about twice a week, and for Fremantle and Port Kembla about once a week. The crossing takes about 5 to 9 weeks, depending on the port and the route. The sailings table on this page lists the next departures.

For a temporary visit we recommend a valid Carnet de Passages, and the original must reach our local agent at least a week before the ship arrives. A permanent import does not need a carnet, but duty and GST are payable.

Yes. You must obtain Vehicle Import Approval from the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts before the vehicle arrives.

Australia is very strict about dirt and seeds, and most used vehicles fail the first inspection and need a quarantine clean. Clean the vehicle thoroughly, including the underside, wheel arches and engine bay. Inspection and cleaning charges are paid by the importer.

RORO costs about the same as sharing a 40 ft container and takes oversized vehicles such as motorhomes and trucks. A sole-use container from the UK costs £1,995 (20 ft) or £2,650 (40 ft HC) in freight.

Apply for import approval (RAV entry approval) through the ROVER portal before the car ships. On arrival it is cleared by customs, inspected for biosecurity and cleaned if needed, and on a permanent import you pay duty, GST and any Luxury Car Tax. Customs clearance is through our broker, a local agent we introduce, or your own broker.

5% duty on the customs value for most cars, 0% for UK-built cars under the Australia–UK free trade agreement, and none for vehicles over 30 years old. GST of 10% is added, and Luxury Car Tax of 33% applies above A$80,809 (A$91,661 for fuel-efficient vehicles) in 2026–27. A temporary import under a carnet pays none of these.

The car is cleared by customs, inspected for biosecurity and by NZTA at the border, then certified before it can be registered. Cars pay no duty (motorhomes 10%) but 15% GST, unless you qualify for the transfer-of-residence concession. Visitors can bring a car in, normally for one year, with a carnet or a refundable deposit.

Yes. The sailing from Australia to New Zealand takes about 4–9 days; tell us the vehicle and the ports and we price it for you.

Yes. We ship cars, 4x4s and motorhomes from New Zealand to Australia by RORO or in a container. Instant pricing gives the freight price for this route in about 2 minutes. Australian import approval and the biosecurity clean apply, as for any vehicle arriving in Australia.

We price the USA to Australia route by hand. Tell us the vehicle, the US departure port and the Australian port, and we email you the price.

Yes. We ship from Australia and New Zealand to South Africa, the USA, the UK, Europe and other countries, by RORO or container. Tell us the vehicle and the ports and we price it for you.

We ship cars from Australia to the UK by RORO or in a container and price each one for your vehicle and ports. In the UK, our customs broker (or your own) clears the car and tells HMRC it has arrived through NOVA, which must be done within 14 days. Import duty is 10% and VAT 20% on the value plus shipping, about 32% in total, unless Transfer of Residence relief applies (12 months living abroad, 6 months owning and using the car) or it is a qualifying classic over 30 years old (no duty, effective 5% VAT). DVLA then registers it on form V55/5 with the £55 fee, after an MOT if it is over 3 years old and an IVA test if it is under 10 years old.

A vehicle made at least 25 years before you apply can be imported under the older-vehicles import approval, which is how most classic cars come in. It does not cover replicas or cars that need major restoration, and any major modifications must also be more than 25 years old. You still need the approval before the car ships; we confirm the rules for your vehicle before you ship.