Commercial Cargo Shipping to New Zealand from Canada

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Commercial LCL shipping from Canada to New Zealand

Samples, spare parts, stock for a small shop or goods for a customer abroad do not need a whole container. A1 ships commercial cargo in shared ocean containers (LCL) from Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver to <a href="/shipping-to/auckland-new-zealand/">Auckland</a>, <a href="/shipping-to/christchurch-new-zealand/">Christchurch</a>, <a href="/shipping-to/lyttelton-new-zealand/">Lyttelton</a>, and <a href="/shipping-to/wellington-new-zealand/">Wellington</a>. The rate starts at USD 5 per cubic foot to Auckland, and the carrier estimates 45–74 days in transit depending on the gateway and the city.

Biosecurity is strict. The Ministry for Primary Industries inspects personal effects for soil, plant and animal material: clean garden tools, bikes, shoes and outdoor gear thoroughly, and use ISPM 15 treated wood. Unaccompanied personal effects are declared with the Unaccompanied Personal Baggage declaration (form NZCS 218); returning New Zealanders and new residents can usually import used goods free of duty and GST.

Allow time for inspections: biosecurity checks can add several days, and fees for cleaning or treatment are charged to the importer.

Commercial cargo rates to New Zealand

Example: a small commercial shipment from Vancouver to Auckland

• A few cartons (0.4 CBM, 80 kg): USD 441.60
• One pallet, 120 × 100 × 150 cm, 350 kg (1.8 CBM): USD 582.88
• Two such pallets (3.6 CBM, 700 kg): USD 900.76

The totals include the A1 processing fee, surcharges and solar fee. The carrier charges by volume or by weight (1,000 kg per CBM), whichever is greater. Destination charges are confirmed by the carrier before you pay; customs duties and taxes are paid by the importer in New Zealand.

Which Canadian gateway: one pallet to Auckland

• From Toronto: USD 646.46, about 58 days
• From Montreal: USD 646.46, about 58 days
• From Vancouver: USD 582.88, about 45 days

Vancouver is both the least expensive and the fastest gateway to Auckland. Choose the warehouse you can reach; from other Canadian cities the calculator shows the lowest of the three.

One pallet to different cities in New Zealand

• Auckland: USD 582.88 from Vancouver, about 45 days
• Christchurch: USD 582.88 from Vancouver, about 60 days
• Lyttelton: USD 582.88 from Vancouver, about 63 days
• Wellington: USD 773.61 from Vancouver, about 64 days

The difference between the least and the most expensive of these is USD 190.73.

Dense goods are charged by weight: 1 CBM of tiles or metal parts weighing 800 kg costs USD 441.60 to Auckland, against USD 441.60 for 1 CBM at 200 kg.

Documents for commercial cargo

• Commercial invoice. Our commercial invoice (PDF): seller and buyer, a clear description of each item, quantity, unit value, total value, currency and country of origin. HS codes help customs in New Zealand classify the goods.
• Packing list. The packing list (PDF) gives the pieces, packed dimensions and gross weight of every pallet, crate or carton, matching the invoice.
• Customs value. The customs value of the shipment may not exceed CAD 2,000.

The importer's details that the carrier conditions below ask for (tax or registration numbers) go on the invoice and the booking. More help: commercial shipping documents.

Pallets and crates

Commercial cargo travels palletized or crated. Wood packaging must be ISPM 15 heat-treated and stamped, or the cargo can be refused at the destination. Stack the cartons squarely on the pallet, no wider than the pallet itself, and stretch-wrap and strap them; label every piece with the consignee's name and city in New Zealand. You deliver the cargo, already palletized or crated, to our receiving warehouse in Toronto, Montreal or Vancouver: A1 does not offer pickup and does not palletize. The warehouse measures and weighs the cargo, and the final price follows those measurements.

Carrier conditions for New Zealand

• RATIO 1:333 KGS TO Christchurch and Wellington
• Subject to ISPM 15 Packing Regulations
• SUBJECT TO APPROVAL: Bare, un-stackable cargo, hazardous (DG) cargoes (inclusive batteries)
• Personal effect shipments, per pkg above (3m x 2.15m x 2.15m & 2 ton). Please check prior booking
• WEIGHT RATIO APPLICABLE: 1cbm : 333 Kgs (For all inland destinations only).
• Prepaid Fumigation Surcharge Effective Sept. 1, 2019
• Applies During BMSB Season Sep. 1 to April
• USD50.00 W/M Minimum USD250. Fumigation Certificate USD150.00

How to book

Calculate the price in the calculator above with the cargo type "Commercial cargo", accept the quote and upload the commercial invoice and packing list on your booking page. After the carrier confirms the destination charges, you pay and receive the labels and the warehouse delivery instructions. Sending your own belongings rather than goods? See personal effects shipping to New Zealand.

Shipping to New Zealand by service

• All shipping to New Zealand: rates and destinations
• Personal effects shipping to New Zealand from Canada

By city: Auckland, Christchurch, Lyttelton, Wellington.

Questions and answers

Rates valid through December 25, 2026; totals include A1 fees of USD 265.00. Destination charges are confirmed by the carrier, duties and taxes are paid by the consignee, and transit days are the carrier's estimate.