Australia 
New Zealand
United Kingdom
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.
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. They will 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.
- 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.
- Do you have a vehicle pick-up service?Yes, we can provide a cost to pick up vehicles from almost anywhere, just supply an address with zip/postcode.
- 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, or is there another transportation method? What if I have more than one car?RORO is often the cheapest way to ship one car. However, if you have multiple cars, we can load and secure them in a container. Find out why shipping RORO is best.
- How far in advance would you recommend I make the booking?You should plan for at least one month before you want the vehicle to sail. This will ensure all export paperwork is done. It also helps you deliver 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?You must thoroughly steam clean and vacuum your vehicle before shipment
- Can I leave personal effects in the car?When shipping on a RORO vessel, do not leave personal items in the vehicle. The vessel will not accept the vehicle if it has items inside. If you have some household goods to ship, but not a house load, we have container solutions. 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.