[Familyofmonkeys]

We were not planning on taking our cars to NZ, but after having quotes from shipping companies, realised that we would need a 40ft container, as we have too much stuff for a 20ft. The first quote we have has so far, says that it would only cost us £300 more to ship a car with our household goods.

I know that we would need to pay for car to be steam cleaned, but has anyone else got any experience of the whole process of car shipping, as we have not got a clue where to start, what paperwork would need to be done or the costs involved. Or any links to web sites explaining the process would also be a big help.

[jonSE]

Look at this thread - has most info covered, including links to the LTSA website where you can find out all the rules that apply.

Or just Search for "Import Cars" or "Shipping Cars"
http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/search.php?

[marcia]

Be very careful that you have checked your vehicle will pass the impact tests, heard of a couple of horror stories just recently where people have shipped their car only to be told it will not be allowed in because it doesn't conform to the standards required!!!

Check, check and check again and get everything in writing if possible!!!!!!!!!

[dangermouse]

looked into shiping car our car, decided in the end 1. To expensive. 2. To much hassle at both ends. 3. Meant not having wheels whilst waiting for shipment. Have now sold car bought a bange to see us through and banked the rest of the cash to buy a car as soon as we arrive in NZ.

[jonSE]

Look at this thread - has most info covered, including links to the LTSA website where you can find out all the rules that apply.

Or just Search for "Import Cars" or "Shipping Cars"
http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/search.php?

Oops I left out the link

http://www.emigratenz.org/forum/showthread.php?t=2368&highlight=import+cars

[Ria]

Well we're halfway through shipping our car (well the car left the UK on 3 November so not really sure where it is by now - probably the Isle of Wight!)

Anyway, so far everything has been very easy. Checked on the NZ website that it conforms to the frontal impact requirements (and it did), then contacted a very nice man at the AA in Auckland, who confirmed that the EC plate again contained the right stuff. He gave me the name of his counterpart in Wellington and said it would cost NZ$800 (which is about £300) to get it on the road and taxed for a year. Now I am taking everyone at face value here - so someone who has already completed this journey may know different.

Anyway, took the V5 (log book) with the car to the shippers - we're using John Mason - they took a photocopy and the car and that was that. Only had to clean the car as they were steam cleaning it. In all it's probably cost us £2K to ship it but we would have lost that just in trying to sell it on and my husband loves this car - nothing fancy - but he does - and we hope that if we look after it, it won't have a bad resale value in NZ - well definitely no worse than the UK.

So, so far, so good - but may have a different story come the middle of December - will let you know, once it arrives. ;)

Ria