🌊 Shipping a Trailer Boat to New Zealand

Shipping a trailer boat from Australia to New Zealand is a relatively simple process, especially when compared to other vehicle types.

✈️ How the Process Works

Shipping a trailer boat 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 trailer boat 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 trailer boat 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: Your trailer is issued a Warrant of Fitness.
7. Register Your Trailer: 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 in NZ (usually around NZD $150)
• Registration with NZTA (based on trailer specs)

💰 How to Estimate Your Total Costs

To help you plan ahead, here’s a breakdown of the typical costs involved in shipping a trailer boat 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 Trailer Boat 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 (Trailer Boat + 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 Trailer Boats)

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 Compliance & Registration Requirements

Boats themselves do not require registration in New Zealand.

However, the trailer does require:

• A Warrant of Fitness (WOF)
• Registration with NZTA

We typically deliver trailer boats directly into a WOF testing facility close to the port. Once the trailer passes its safety inspection and receives its WOF, you can register it and legally tow it away.

🧶 What Can Be Left Inside the Boat?

You’re permitted to leave items that belong with the boat, such as:

• Life jackets
• Anchor and ropes
• General fishing gear
• Built-in or standard safety equipment

However, we advise against leaving high-value personal items onboard, such as:

• Expensive rods and reels
• Electronics (e.g. fish finders, radios)
• Personal belongings like clothing or loose valuables

⚠️ Think of it this way: If you were selling your boat to someone else, what would you leave in it when handing it over? Anything you wouldn’t leave for a new owner should be removed prior to shipping.

⚠️ 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.

💸 NZ Import GST – Exemption Criteria (Trailer Boats)

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 trailer boat in your personal name for at least 12 months prior to shipment
• The trailer boat is intended for your personal use (not resale or business use)
• No Finance or security interest over the Trailer Boat
• You will arrive in NZ around the same time as your trailer boat

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 with VIN, trailer details, and buyer/seller info)
• Proof of payment (bank transfer or PPSR report)
• Trailer registration certificate (in your name, showing VIN)
• Document proving 12+ months of ownership and use (e.g. old rego or insurance document)
• Signed passport copy (NZ/AUS passport or other passport with valid NZ visa)
• Completed NZ Customs Number Form (NZCS 224A)
• Completed Boat Import Form (NZCS 80B)
• Copy of flight ticket or proof of arrival date
• Photos of the trailer boat (including 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 exemption criteria above, you will need to pay 15% import GST based on the landed value of your trailer boat:

Landed Value = Purchase Price (converted to NZD) + Freight + Insurance

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

📝 Required Documents for GST-Payable Imports:

• Proof of purchase (invoice or bill of sale with VIN and trailer details)
• Trailer registration certificate (in your name)
• Signed passport copy
• Completed NZ Customs Number Form (NZCS 224A)

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

🧼 Pre-Shipment Cleaning – Trailer Boats

New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) enforces strict biosecurity inspections on all imported vessels and trailers. To avoid delays, fines, or additional cleaning charges, it’s essential your trailer boat and trailer are thoroughly cleaned before shipping.

Use the checklist below to prepare your boat for a smooth clearance process:

✅ Trailer Cleaning

• Thoroughly wash the entire trailer, including:
• Frame, axles, drawbar, coupling, winch, rollers/skids
• Mudguards, wheels, wheel arches, brakes, and suspension
• Remove all dirt, grass, grease, leaves, and cobwebs
• Use a high-pressure washer, especially underneath and around moving parts

✅ Boat Hull Cleaning

• Clean the entire exterior hull — top to bottom, including:
• Keel, underside, propeller, outboard leg, and trim tabs
• Hull fittings, anchor well, scuppers, and bilge outlets
• Remove barnacles, algae, salt residue, and any marine growth
• Pay special attention to trailer-to-hull contact points

✅ Interior & Compartments

• Empty and clean all internal storage areas:
• Anchor well, bait tank, under-seat lockers, glove boxes
• Remove rubbish, fishing gear, bait, food, plant material, insects, or personal items
• Flush and dry:
• Bilge pumps, live bait tanks, cooler lockers, and drainage lines

🔍 Common Trouble Spots

• Under and behind mudguards
• Winch assembly and strap
• Hull chines, keel line, and propeller area
• Inside storage compartments and sealed lockers
• Inside anchor wells and under carpeted hatches

🧾 If your Trailer Boat 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 Trailer Boat can be released

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

🌐 Other Important Notes

• The keys must be sent with the boat/trailer so all compartments can be accessed
• All loose items must be securely stowed
• Gas bottles or fire extinguishers must be removed prior to shipping

✅ Summary

Shipping your trailer boat to New Zealand is very doable — especially with Willship’s help. The main steps are:

1. Clean and prepare the boat and trailer
2. Remove personal or high-value items
3. Book your shipment and select a sailing
4. Ensure the trailer passes WOF on arrival
5. Register the trailer, and you’re ready to tow away!.

📥 Submit Your Documents & Book Your Shipment

Once you have gathered your documents, please complete the guided booking form:

👉 Booking Form - Trailer Boat

This form will walk you through everything step by step. You can save your progress and return to them at any time.

🤝 Have Questions?

We’re experts in trailer boat 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 trailer boat, 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