🚢 Shipping a Caravan from Australia to New Zealand

At Willship International, we’ve helped hundreds of people successfully ship their caravans from Australia to New Zealand. We’re experts in the process, and we’re here to make it as smooth and stress-free as possible for you.

This page explains exactly how it works, what to expect, what it will cost, and how to prepare your caravan for the journey.

✈️ How the Process Works

Shipping a caravan to New Zealand is typically very straightforward:

1. Tow-In: We collect your caravan or you deliver it to a depot or to the port
2. Loaded by Tow: The caravan is towed onto the vessel and secured safely.
3. Shipped Across: Roll-on, roll-off vessels sail from Australia to New Zealand regularly.
4. Tow-Off & Inspected: Once the caravan arrives, it’s towed off and inspected by NZ MPI for biosecurity.
5. Delivered to NZTA Testing Station: We tow it to a local NZTA-approved testing station.
6. WOF & Gas Certificate: Your caravan is issued a Warrant of Fitness and gas certification.
7. Register Your Caravan: Once certified, it can be registered for use on NZ roads.

🛍️ Costs & What’s Included

Your quote includes:

• Pickup within 30km of the port in Australia (excluding Port Kembla)
• Delivery within 20km of the port in New Zealand (usually to a testing station)
• Shipping between Australia and NZ
• Port fees, customs, and quarantine clearance (pending inspection results)

You’ll need to pay separately for:

• WOF and Gas Certification in NZ (usually around NZD $300 combined)
• Registration with NZTA (based on caravan specs)

💰 How to Estimate Your Total Costs

To help you budget accurately, here’s a breakdown of the typical costs involved in shipping a caravan to New Zealand:

🧮 Landed Value

Landed Value = Purchase Price + Freight + Insurance

Note: The purchase price must be converted to NZD using the New Zealand Customs-appointed exchange rate at the time of import.

📌 Note: If you're GST exempt, import taxes will be waived. If you do need to pay GST, and you’ve owned the caravan for more than 3 months then depreciation will apply which will reduce the amount of GST payable.

Additional Charges to Consider:

• Credit Card Surcharges: Some or all transactions may incur a surcharge when paying by credit card.
• Disbursement Fees (New Zealand): A 4% disbursement fee may apply on GST and/or duty payments when the importer does not hold a New Zealand Customs account.

🛡️ Transit Insurance (Optional but Recommended)

Although modern shipping is generally low risk, damage or theft during transit can occasionally occur. Willship works with trusted carriers, but because we do not control every stage of the process (e.g. port loading staff, quarantine facilities), we cannot accept liability for damage or loss.

That’s why we strongly recommend transit insurance.

💰 Insurance Details:

• Cost: 1.75% of the insured value (motorcycle + shipping)
• Minimum premium: AUD 455
• Excess: AUD 500

(Only deducted in the event of a claim)

• Insured value:
• Can be based on your purchase price
• Or current market value (e.g. listings for similar motorcycles)

Transit insurance provides peace of mind and covers you in the unlikely event of:

• Physical damage in transit
• Theft or pilferage
• Fire or major port incidents

✅ You can opt in for insurance during the booking process — we’ll help arrange everything for you.

💸 NZ Import GST – Exemption Criteria (Caravans)

To qualify for GST exemption, you must meet all of the following:

• You are moving to New Zealand permanently (first-time immigrant or returning resident)
• You have lived outside of NZ for at least 21 consecutive months
• You have owned and used the caravan in your personal name for at least 1 day prior to shipment
• The caravan is intended for your personal use (not resale or business use)
• No Finance or security interest over the caravan
• You will arrive in NZ around the same time as your caravan

If you meet these requirements, you will not have to pay any import GST.

🛂 Important:

While these concessions are available under NZ Customs Tariff Ref 80, final approval is at the discretion of NZ Customs.

Exemptions will only be granted if the importer meets all conditions outlined in the official document.

📄 Refer to:

📝 Required Documents if you’re looking to claim the GST Exemption:

• Proof of purchase (invoice or bill of sale)
• Proof of payment (bank transfer or PPSR report showing no financial interest)
• Vehicle registration certificate (original or stamped digital copy)
• Passport photo (signed)
• Document proving 12+ months of vehicle ownership (e.g. old rego or insurance doc)
• Completed NZ Customs Number Form (NZCS 224A)
• MPI - Personal Effects - Supplementary Declaration (Download)
• NZCS 218 – Bring Personal household items into New Zealand Form (Download)
• Copy of flight to NZ or date of arrival
• Photos of the caravan (exterior, VIN plate, etc.)

Please ensure all documents are submitted digitally when completing your booking.

💰 NZ Import GST (If Not Exempt)

If you do not meet the above exemption criteria, then 15% GST will be payable on the landed value of your caravan (purchase price + freight + insurance).

• If you’ve owned the caravan for more than 3 months, you may be eligible for depreciation to reduce the taxable value.
• You can still proceed with importation, and we’ll assist with the customs clearance process accordingly.

📝 Required Documents for GST-Payable Imports:

• Proof of purchase (invoice or bill of sale)
• Vehicle registration certificate (original or stamped digital copy)
• Signed passport photo
• Completed NZ Customs Number Form (NZCS 224A)

Please ensure all documents are submitted digitally when completing your booking.

🚐 What Compliance Is Required?

Unlike vehicles, caravans do not require a comprehensive compliance. Instead, you only need:

• A valid Warrant of Fitness (WOF) issued in New Zealand
• A valid Gas Safety Certificate (if your caravan has any gas appliances)

We can help deliver your caravan directly to a facility that handles this for you.

🫵 What Can I Leave Inside the Caravan?

This is one of the most common questions we get:

• ✅ YES – You can leave items that are considered part of the caravan setup:
• Bed linen
• Cutlery / crockery
• Camping equipment
• ❌ NO – You cannot use it as a moving trailer:
• Strictly no personal effects, moving boxes, or unrelated household goods
• No valuables or fragile items
• No food, perishables, or biological material

⚠️ If You Leave Items Inside:

• Items are shipped at your own risk
• Shipping lines or port staff may reject the shipment if excess cargo is found
• NZ Customs or MPI may apply additional inspection or cleaning fees

Willship cannot accept liability for any loss, damage, or theft of items left inside during transit.

⚠️ Can I Leave Gas Bottles or Fire Extinguishers?

No. Due to international shipping regulations and safety concerns:

• Gas bottles must be removed, even if empty
• Fire extinguishers must also be removed

We recommend checking all compartments and removing anything flammable, pressurised, or potentially hazardous.

🌐 Other Important Notes

• The keys must be sent with the Caravan so all compartments can be accessed
• All loose items must be securely stowed

🧼 Pre-Shipment Cleaning – Caravans

To meet New Zealand’s strict biosecurity requirements, your caravan must be thoroughly cleaned inside and out before shipping. The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) will inspect the unit on arrival, and any sign of dirt, seeds, insects, or organic material can result in delays and costly cleaning or quarantine.

Use the checklist below to avoid unnecessary issues:

✅ Exterior Cleaning

• Wash the entire exterior, including:
• Roof, sides, underside, drawbar, tow hitch
• Wheels, wheel wells, suspension components
• Awnings, vents, solar panels, skylights, window seals
• Remove all traces of dirt, dust, leaves, cobwebs, grease, or plant matter
• Use a high-pressure hose to clean underneath and in hard-to-reach areas

✅ Interior Cleaning

• Vacuum and wipe down:
• Floors, walls, furniture, shelves, drawers, cupboards
• Clean around windows, doors, seals, and vents
• Remove all food, rubbish, insects, plant material, or debris
• Ensure there are no personal items or loose goods inside the caravan

✅ Compartments & Storage

• Empty and clean:
• External storage hatches and toolboxes
• Gas bottle compartments
• Under-bed storage
• Water tanks (if accessible)
• Flush and clean grey water tanks if fitted

🔍 Common Areas That Are Often Missed

• Roof-mounted equipment and solar panels
• Around stabiliser legs and chassis rails
• Underside of caravan including axles and plumbing
• Door hinges, step mechanisms, and awning arms

🧾 If your Caravan fails inspection, it will be ordered for treatment in NZ:

• Basic vacuuming and washing: starts at ~$750 NZD
• More intensive treatment or fumigation: can exceed $1000 NZD
• All charges are payable before the Caravan can be released

👉 We recommend doing your best to clean thoroughly, but also be prepared for the possibility of additional treatment costs upon arrival.

🚤 Booking Your Shipment

If you’re ready to book your caravan shipment, simply complete our online booking form. You can upload documents, answer key questions, and save your progress at any time.

Click here to Book Your Caravan Shipment

🤝 Have Questions?

We’re experts in caravan shipping and here to help every step of the way.

If you’d like to speak with our team, just reply to your quote email or call us on (07) 3267 3694.

✨ Why Choose Willship?

• 📈 Industry-leading experience with caravan, motorhome and specialised shipments
• 💼 Transparent pricing and expert guidance
• 🌏 End-to-end support from Australia to New Zealand
• ⭐ Real reviews from hundreds of satisfied clients

We’re looking forward to assisting you on your journey to New Zealand.