International Car Shipping & Import

international car shipping

Taurus Logistics offers two main shipping methods based on your needs. The first is Roll-on/roll-off (RORO), a special car carrier ship. The second method is shipping by container.

Our most popular service is our trans-Tasman car shipping packages, utilising our offices in both New Zealand and Australia. This allows you to work with just one transportation company. Additionally, we offer shipping to and from various global locations, with frequent routes to the United Kingdom and the USA.

Established in 1984, Taurus Logistics has over 40 years of experience transporting your vehicle. If you need to export your car overseas or import a vehicle, we are here to help. We offer a personalised service and a smooth shipping experience for all our customers.

80% receive a quote in 30 seconds! More complex jobs will receive a response within 24 hours.

Different Methods for Shipping a Car

Roll-on/roll-off (RORO)

RORO is considered the cheapest and simplest option for shipping your car overseas. The cargo is “rolled on” the vessel at the port of loading, and “rolled off” again at the point of destination.

You cannot ship personal items when using RORO. Any inner cargo will not be allowed on board. For more information on preparing your car for RORO transport, consult our RORO preparation page.

Taurus Logistics generally recommends RORO over container shipping. For more details about why we recommend this option, refer to our RORO recommendation page.

Container Shipping

In this method, container ships are used to carry your cargo overseas in large intermodal containers. This option tends to be more expensive but can be ideal if you have extra items to ship along with your vehicle.

When choosing container shipping, it’s important to remember that all extra items must be accounted for and any boxes marked clearly. Providing us with a list of contents will ensure no items are missed when emptied for Quarantine/during an inspection at Customs. For more details about this method, consult our Container Shipping page.

How Long Does It Take to Ship a Car?

We cannot list the shipping times for every route at Taurus Logistics. However, here are some of our most popular routes. These are indicative transit times and do not include all shipping lines, containers, or part container options. Please contact us to discuss container sailing dates, or for roll on roll off please refer to our RORO Sailing Schedule.

Shipping to Oceania

  • Europe to Australia / New Zealand – 50 days Approx.
  • USA to Australia / New Zealand – 45 days Approx.

Shipping from Oceania

  • Australia / New Zealand to Europe – 80 days Approx.
  • Australia / New Zealand to USA – 50 days Approx.

Trans-Tasman

  • Australia to New Zealand – 10 days Approx.
  • New Zealand to Australia – From 5 - 30 days Approx. dependent on the shipping line.

What do I need to consider when shipping my car?

This depends on where you want to ship your car. Rules for importing and exporting cars vary by country. However, there are certainly some common procedures in vehicle shipping.

  • Make sure your vehicle is cleaned well inside and out. Use a steam cleaner if possible. This will help remove dirt and contaminants from the underside and engine bay.
  • When you ship on a RORO vessel, do not leave personal items in the vehicle. If you do, the vessel will not accept your vehicle. If you want to ship personal items, we can load the car into a container. However, this option usually costs more.
  • If you are getting Marine Insurance, which we strongly suggest, make sure to have a pre-inspection report. An independent insurance assessor should complete this report.

Once your car shipment arrives, our office or agent will contact you. Will they discuss any extra details needed for Customs Clearance.

Costs to Consider When Shipping a Car

When arranging international car shipping, there are several costs you need to factor in to determine if it’s worth the time and money. In some countries, import permits and vehicle standards are very important for entry. These standards include impact and emissions requirements.

Items you need to consider for car shipping include:

  • How much will it cost to ship my car to the destination?
  • What taxes, duties, GST, or VAT will be applicable to pay at the destination country?
  • What are the on road compliance charges?

Generally we advise that if your car is worth around NZ$7,000 / AUD$ 5,600 / US$4,600, it’s worth looking into vehicle shipping.

What if I haven’t bought the car yet?

If you haven’t bought your car yet, then we advise you to talk to us first. We can give you a ballpark figure for car shipping costs and look into any compliance issues you may face.

Different countries have different rules for importing and exporting vehicles. We can help you find the right information. Talk to us today!

Frequently Asked Questions

We just love shipping cars. Whether you've found your dream car and need to ship her home, or you're relocating the family station wagon across the ditch, we would love to help. These are some of our most popular questions, which we hope you find helpful.

  • What affects the cost of shipping a car?

    Several key factors can affect the cost of shipping a car, including:

    • Whether the car is operational or non-operational
    • Whether Roll-on/Roll-off (RORO) service is available to the destination, or if the car must be shipped in a container
    • The size of the vehicle
    • Whether the vehicle is electric, hybrid, or petrol-powered
    • Whether personal belongings or spare parts are being shipped with the car

    In many cases, Roll-on/Roll-off (RORO) is the most cost-effective option and is also widely regarded as a safe way to transport vehicles. These vessels are specially designed to carry cars and are commonly used worldwide for shipping new vehicles. When comparing quotes, it is important to look beyond the freight cost alone and also check the arrival charges at the destination. This is where the difference between RORO and container shipping can be significant. For example, port charges for driving a car off a RORO vessel may only be a few hundred dollars, while container shipments can involve several thousand dollars in additional costs for container collection, unpacking, and returning the empty container.

  • Do you have a vehicle pick-up service?
    Yes, we can arrange vehicle pick-up from almost any location. To provide a quote, please send us the collection address and the following vehicle details:
    • Year, make, and model
    • Length, width, and height
    • Weight
    • Collection address
    For the fastest service, please submit your enquiry using our Pickup / Delivery Quotation Request form.
  • Do I need to be there for pickup or delivery?
    In most cases, no. If you are unavailable, we can usually arrange pickup or delivery with a friend or family member at their home or workplace. Most documentation can be completed in advance through our online portal and by email, so the person assisting only needs to hand over the vehicle and keys. The main exception is for vehicles being imported into New Zealand under a GST exemption. In that case, you must be in New Zealand when the vehicle arrives.
  • How much would it cost to insure my vehicle?

    The calculation of marine insurance includes the vehicle's value, shipping costs, and an extra 10% for additional expenses. The "extra expense percentage" is a rule from the insurer. It helps cover any extra costs you have if you lose everything.

    i.e. ((Car value + Shipping costs) x 10%) x insurance rate = Insured Value. Current rates are 1.14% for RORO and 0.72% for cars in a container.

    Get an instant Marine Insurance Quote online. Takes less than 30 seconds. Find out more about Marine Insurance and what it covers.

  • Is RORO the cheapest option, even for more than one car?
    In most cases, RORO is the most cost-effective shipping option, including when you are shipping more than one car. Container shipping is also available and, for some destinations, it may be the only option. However, if RORO is available, we will usually recommend that service. Find out why shipping RORO is best.
  • How far in advance should I book?
    We recommend booking at least one to two months before you want your vehicle to sail. This allows enough time to complete the export paperwork and arrange delivery of the vehicle before the cut-off date.
  • Can someone ship a car that still has a loan on it?
    That would be a question to ask your loan company, but in general, no, you need to pay it off in full first. If you do not fully pay for the car before shipping, you may encounter issues with Customs and on-road compliance.
  • Does it matter if my car is dirty?
    Yes. Your vehicle must be thoroughly steam cleaned and vacuumed before shipment. However, we don’t recommend a full valet detail. While valet cleaning improves appearance, it may not address the specific areas inspected by quarantine authorities. Instead, we recommend following the MPI cleaning guidelines to ensure all requirements are met.
  • Can I leave personal effects in the car?
    If your vehicle is being shipped by Roll-on/Roll-off (RORO), you should not leave any personal items inside. Vehicles containing personal belongings are not accepted for this type of shipping. This is because RORO is designed to transport vehicles only, not items stored inside them. For example, contents left in areas such as the glovebox are not checked each time the vehicle is moved on or off the vessel. Because there is no formal process for monitoring items left inside the vehicle, neither the shipping line nor Taurus can accept liability for them. If you also need to send a smaller quantity of household goods, we can usually offer container shipping options instead. You can find out more about shipping a car in a container.
  • What is the first thing I need to do before considering importing vehicles to Australia?
    Before you buy a car or ship your current one, we recommend reading our article. It covers Car Shipping & Import to Australia
  • What do I need to know before importing a car to New Zealand?
    You can import cars to New Zealand without restrictions. However, you might have to pay GST. Also, check the on-road regulations. Find out more on car shipping & import to New Zealand.
  • Can you de-register my car for me?
    No sorry. Only the owner of the car can deregister it.
  • Do I need to de-register my car before shipping?
    No, it’s not compulsory, and we can ship with the licence plates left on the car.
    However, it is best practise as you may get a refund for the registration that is unused. Additionally, if you ever want to return the car back to its origin country, it may be treated as a new import and be subject to compliance and additional costs.
  • How long after the ship arrives will I receive my car?

    On arrival, all cars must clear Customs and Quarantine. We try to clear your car with Customs before it arrives. However, we must wait for the quarantine inspection. This inspection will tell us if any cleaning is needed.

    • In New Zealand, please allow 3 to 5 business days for clearance at the port. After that, we will deliver your items to your chosen compliance centre.
    • In Australia allow 5-7 business days.

80% receive a quote in 30 seconds! More complex jobs will receive a response within 24 hours.

Our Service Promise

  • We will respond to your enquiry within 24 hours.
  • No hidden agenda, just clear easy to follow quotations.
  • We'll take care of all the red tape for you.

Shipping advice

Talk to Barbara, our car specialist, to get advice on shipping your vehicle.
(03) 8657 5564 ext 204

Barbara Redway - Sales Consultant

Barbara Redway

Sales Consultant