FAQ's
Shipping to New Zealand can be a complicated process, especially if you’ve never done it before. It can seem like a stressful minefield riddled with potential delays and sky rocketing costs. You need the right people on your side doing the right job for you and UK Camper is here to help.
What is Roll-On-Roll-Off (RORO)?
Roro Ships are designed to carry rolling-stock cargo e.g. motor vehicles, campervans and large caravans which can be driven or towed on and off the ship’s decks. The vessels are fully enclosed and do not expose the vehicles to the salt air while at sea. All vehicles are secured to the ships decks and are safe for the entire journey to NZ.
What is LCL shipping?
LCL shipping means, Less than a full Container Load. Essentially what we do is match up a caravan or small motorhome with another vehicle that both fit within a 40ft Container. Our experienced and dedicated teams in both the UK and NZ ensure the vehicles are loaded and unloaded safely – our teams use packing materials to ensure the vehicles arrive undamaged. Most UK caravans can fit inside a 40ft container, but there are some models that might not so it is important for us to know the full dimensions of the unit you are looking to ship to ensure it will fit. There are some smaller low roof motorhomes that can also fit inside a container – please enquire with our team.
What is a post-shipment condition inspection and report?
A record of the condition of the vehicle noting any damage, scratching, presence of a stereo – including digital photos etc. We personally inspect every Motorhome at the port on arrival and also do full inspections of the caravans once they are unpacked at our providers specialist vehicle unpacking facilities.
Do I qualify to bring my vehicle into NZ without paying any Taxes or Duties?
If you are an immigrant, or are returning to New Zealand after 21 months or more overseas, you are entitled to concessions on private motor vehicles and caravans that either accompany you or are sent separately. It is possible to import more than one motor vehicle or caravan GST and duty free, if you are able to meet all the concessionary requirements for each vehicle. To show that all conditions have been met you will require full documentary evidence. If you do not qualify for concessionary entry, private motorhomes and caravans will attract GST and Duty when they are brought in. If you have owned the vehicle in the UK for a while but dont meet these requirements, when we submit the documents to NZ Customs we can depreciate the value according to NZ Customs guidelines, which will mean you would pay less GST and Duty based on this new value.
What do I need to know about Customs requirements?
By law you are required to declare all items and values to Customs or us as your shipping agents. If you are unsure about taxes and duties or anything please let us know prior to shipping. We need to know about any Personal effects or other items inside your motorhome or caravan on arrival to NZ so we can accurately declare them to customs.
What do I need to know about MPI requirements?
MPI will be looking for any foreign animals, insects, mud, dirt, food or plant material. If any of the above are found they may be cleaned, confiscated or destroyed at your cost. It is essential that all items imported are declared and are as clean as possible.
How do I ensure that my Motorhome/Caravan complies New Zealand standards?
Information is available online at the New Zealand Transport website – www.nzta.govt.nz but the team at UK Camper will look at the documents and specification of the unit you are looking at shipping before it departs to ensure you don’t run into any costly repairs/modifications or non-compliance when you arrange to get the vehicle on the road.
Can I pickup my vehicle from the port in New Zealand?
In most circumstances only an approved carriers can enter the port to pick up your vehicle. If your vehicle is oversized e.g. bus or truck, special security passes can be arranged for you to pickup in specific cases. However, UK Camper have the contacts and only use the best carriers in the business and we will ensure the safe delivery of your Motorhome to compliance. Caravans shipped within a container are unpacked off the port at specialist vehicle unpacking facilities – we will provide you the full address and contact details of these facilities once the caravan is cleared so you can use your own vehicle to collect the caravan and take it for a WOF inspection if you prefer.
When should I insure my vehicle?
Almost all NZ based insurance companies can insure your vehicle once it arrives in NZ before it is complied and registered. They can use the vehicles unique 17 digit VIN number initially – then once its registered you can update them with the correct number plate details. Our marine insurance covers your vehicle right up to its first point of delivery, normally this is the compliance centre so we will let you know when it gets there and let you know when you should talk to your insurance company.
Does my caravan need compliance?
No, caravans are just like trailers – so all you need is a WOF inspection so before you are up to speed. You can actually pre-register your Caravan at a registration office such as VINZ before you collect the Caravan. That way you can have a plate ready for the unit before picking it up, you can then take it straight to a local testing station for a WOF inspection. (there are stations within km’s of all of our unpack depots)
How is GST and Duty worked out?
NZ Customs sets out the guidelines for working out how much GST and Duty you will need to pay on arrival of your vehicle. Motorhomes attract a 10% Duty cost and caravans 5% Duty cost, based on the purchase price of the vehicle in NZD. They will take the GBP price you paid for the vehicle and covert that into NZD at a rate they set in 2 week blocks. To work out the GST value to pay, they take that converted purchase price in NZD, add the applicable Duty, add the cost of freight to NZ and also the cost of Insurance (to come up with what is known as the CIF value) – you will pay 15% of this total CIF value. Talk to the UK Camper team and we can work this out for you and break it down in an easy to read spreadsheet.
What documentation will I require?
When you work with the UK Camper team, we are very experienced in what is required and we know exactly what you need, and we will ensure you have the correct documentation, but:
If buying new we will need:
- Copy of the Certificate of Completion (C.O.C)
- Copy of the Pre Delivery Inspection (P.D.I)
- Copy of the Purchase Invoice/agreement
Originals of the above will be needed for compliance. And we will need a copy of your passport and a completed NZ customs client code form which we can provide.
If buying second hand:
- Copy of the purchase invoice
- Copy of V5 registration (original will be needed by compliance in NZ)
- And we will need a copy of your passport and a customs client code form which we can provide.
Whats it all going to cost?
Talk to the UK Camper team and we can put together a cost forecast for you based on the specific vehicle you are looking at.
What is BAF?
BAF is a variable adjustment in shipping charges to offset price fluctuations in the cost of bunker fuel for the vessel. We let you know what these are at the time of providing you a quote, but please note these rates can change and we will advise you before shipping.