As well as a favourable exchange rate, there are many reasons why enthusiasts ship classic cars into New Zealand. Rarer models may simply not be available in New Zealand and must be purchased overseas; in some cases better availability overseas may mean greater choice and a keener purchase price; or, while travelling abroad, an enthusiast may spot a car that he or she simply must have. Whatever the motivation behind such a purchase, the next step is to get that prized classic car back to New Zealand.

When you start to get serious about importing a car into New Zealand, that’s the time you need to start considering the advantages offered by a professional shipping agent ” preferably one that has experience in shipping classic cars to New Zealand.

The best method for shipping a car between countries is in a container. Sealed from the point of despatch, they are very secure and contents are protected from prying eyes.
Containers come in two basic sizes: 20 feet and 40 feet long. Even the largest US cruiser should fit into a 20-foot container.

Most shippers will cover only the origin port, then subcontract to agents at the destination. The preference here would be to deal with an agent at the destination; it’s far easier to deal with any problems when the agent is local. Many New Zealand-based shipping agents, of course, will have certified agents in Europe and the US.

Know the Regulations

Before you begin the importation process, you’ll need to check with the NZ Transport Agency (NZTA) to ensure that the car you’re considering can be legally used in New Zealand. And while a Certificate of Compliance will be the final part of the car importation process, it makes sense to consider this well in advance.

The NZTA’s website contains all the requirements with regard to shipping a car into New Zealand (www.landtransport.govt.nz/importing).

There are also insurance costs to consider. Marine insurance will cover loss or damage while your car is in transit, while additional insurance may be required to cover the car during loading and unloading ” this is generally not covered by marine insurance, so contact a specialist insurance agency (such as Classic Car Cover, ph 0800 456 254).

Finally, when your container arrives in New Zealand, you’ll need to gain approval from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF) before obtaining New Zealand Customs clearance.

A good tip is to ensure that your car was nice and clean when it originally went into the container. A dirty or muddy car will require a full steam clean and fumigation on arrival in New Zealand at your cost. If the car is clean when it arrives in New Zealand, MAF clearance may be smoother.

Once again, a shipping agent can be a real bonus ” some agents have their own certified area and can arrange clearances.

With MAF clearance sorted, Customs takes over and, once everything is properly documented and cleared, you’ll then have the pleasure of handing over more hard-earned cash, generally the GST content of the car’s value, which is determined by Customs from its own depreciation schedules. Of course, if you have already owned the car you’re importing for some time, these schedules will be adjusted accordingly.

While it is possible to arrange MAF and Customs clearances personally, this process is better left to a shipping agent, who will have prior arrangements with both MAF and Customs.

The above is only a very brief overview and our advice is to seek the advice and assistance of a profssional shipping agent right from the start of the importation process.

McCullough Ltd

With more than 17 years’ experience, McCullough Ltd is expert at providing an international door-to-door shipping service. Founded in 1991, McCullough Ltd is based in Parnell, Auckland. The company has always specialised in shipping motor vehicles and machinery from the USA, Japan, Singapore, the UK and Australia.

McCullough Ltd makes shipping a vehicle from the USA easy. The company will arrange pick-up anywhere in the USA and provide pre-purchase inspections (handy for those eBay purchases). Vehicle titles, packing and shipping will all be arranged. Thanks to regular shipments, your vehicle can be in New Zealand within three to four weeks.

Clearances are obtained from MAF, Customs and shipping lines. All transport and unpacking in New Zealand is taken care of. All the importer has to do is provide the pick-up address in the USA and McCullough Ltd will do the rest.

McCullough also provides foreign exchange and marine insurance, giving you an all-inclusive door-to-door package.

If you’re looking at sourcing or importing a vehicle, check out www.mmnz.biz.

Transitainer: The Total Solution

Transitainer has over the years grown to be a significant player in the international vehicle freight business. By utilising its experience, relationships and contacts, the company has developed a custom shipping service that is both proven and flexible. Building on the maxim that ‘every project is a special project and that the detail is all important’ has enabled Transitainer to serve many happy clients. This approach is particularly important when Transitainer is given the responsibility of dealing with someone’s dream car, family motor home, or highly desirable boat or plane.

As many of the clients Transitainer deals with are first time purchasers concerned about what appears a very difficult process, it is very important they have complete confidence in the company’s abilities.

Transitainer was founded by Ian McCallum. Ian has been shipping cars for more than 30 years and knows first hand the many fears a client can have shipping for the first time.

This is why Ian believes in a hands-on ‘total solution’ personalised service, designed to be not only affordable but also easy, a door-to-door delivery. As an example, Transitainer can pick up vehicles with transporters from anywhere in the USA UK or Europe. Transitainer centralises the vehicles to its gateway depots and uses 40-foot high cube containers in which vehicles are mixed and matched to give the most competitive cost to clients. Transitainer does not compromise its customers by using slow trans-shipment services, and only uses direct sailings to New Zealand.

Transitainer takes an enormous amount of care when loading vehicles, blocking and bracing each wheel, then lashing forward and rear on the axles. This method ensures that vehicles do not move during transit. Transitainer unpacks the containers at its depot in Auckland and arranges customs clearance and MAF inspections on site. The company also offers full steam cleaning services on site if required by MAF.  Clients don’t have to worry about a thing ” Transitainer does it all. What’s more, because of its general cargo service, Transitainer can also ship your spare parts, new engines, transmissions and so forth on the same service.

For further information on Transitainer Xtreme Logistics Ltd, phone 09 256 0013, or visit its website: www.txl.co.nz.

CMR Shipping: The CMR Advantage

CMR Shipping prides itself on providing a first-class shipping service to all its principals and shippers, focusing on offering a professional but friendly service. The company will work closely with clients to tailor shipping requirements specifically to meet individual requirements and deadlines, while working diligently to offer the best and most economical shipping solution.

CMR Shipping provides specialised car shipping services to and from New Zealand from all parts of the world, including Australia, Asia, the United Kingdom and the USA.

CMR Shipping’s specialised service means that the company can ship any type of car ” from a wreck to a brand new car to a fully restored classic; US muscle car or hot rod. CMR can also ship more modern vehicles, including 4WDs and SUVs, motor homes and campervans, trucks and buses.

CMR Shipping can customise each car shipping package to meet individual schedules and budgets, providing clients with either a door-to-door or wharf-to-wharf service, including:
¢ car collection and receival
¢ export customs requirements
¢ marine cargo insurance
¢ car shipping ” roll on/roll off or containered
¢ Customs clearances and deliveries
¢ MAF clearances and required treatments.

CMR Shipping provides a one stop shop for the complete shipping package, managing the whole process and taking all the stress out of shipping a vehicle.
For freight quotes and shipping schedules, contact Craig Randall on 03 328 7031, or email cmr@cmrshipping.co.nz.

Kiwi Shipping Mainfreight

Kiwi Shipping Mainfreight is a name synonymous with the shipping of classic and new cars and parts throughout the world.

Kiwi Shipping was started by expat Kiwi Steve Curle 20 years ago, and acquired by Mainfreight in 2008. Steve leads the team in Carson, Los Angeles, with Rhonda the office manager and Matt, the parts shipping specialist. The team now has access to the Mainfreight worldwide network and as a result can export or import cars and parts anywhere in the world.  The New Zealand team, led by Trevor and comprising Shaun, Chrissy and Joe, ensures smooth and timely clearance of vehicles and parts into and out of New Zealand, and now provides a contact point for local enquires.

Kiwi Shipping Mainfreight can offer car inspection services, secure payments in the USA, internal trucking, insurance cover, shipping and export and import clearances using very competitive rates.
Here in New Zealand, Kiwi Shipping Mainfreight ships into the ports of Auckland, Tauranga, Napier, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch and Dunedin, using specialist unpacking facilities in all ports.

From a Messerschmitt bubble car to Hugh Hefner’s Mercedes limousines to motorbikes, Kenworth trucks, caravans, fifth wheels, helicopters and aeroplanes ” Kiwi Shipping Mainfreight will move anything.

Shipping parts is a major part of Kiwi Shipping Mainfreight’s business using a consolidation service ex Los Angeles by air and sea. Website tracking is also provided.

If you want it moved, Kiwi Shipping Mainfreight will move it.

Contact: Steve, Rhonda or Matt (Los Angeles), or Chrissy Douglas, (New Zealand). Phone 04 472 2520, fax 04 473 4936. Or visit the website: www.mainfreightinternational.co.nz.

Aironaut Customs Brokers Ltd

Aironaut is a New Zealand owned and operated customs brokerage and freight forwarder. Established in 1988, it has many years’ experience of handling and shipping vehicles all around the world.

As New Zealand agent for Karman Shipping in the UK for the last 20 years, Aironaut has shipped many cars in sole-use containers from the UK and Europe. Karman is a specialist car shipping forwarder, shipping nothing but vehicles, and therefore has a very good record with high value and specialised cars.

Grant Hudson of Aironaut has a passion for vehicles, which is reflected in the service that Aironaut provides its clients. Aironaut can provide a door-to-door service for in- and outbound vehicles.
Aironaut has also arranged and handled many car club group tours into and out of New Zealand, organising all Customs and MAF clearances as required.

The company acts for regular vehicle and vehicle parts importers and exporters and, through its global agent network, can offer services to and from most parts of the world.

Over the years Aironaut has shipped many special cars including models from marques such as McLaren, Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce, Audi and Bentley, as well as many race and vintage cars.

For further details of Aironaut’s services, phone 09 309 8814, or visit the company’s website: www.aironaut.co.nz.

This article is from Classic Car issue 223. Click here to check it out.

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