International E-Commerce Shipping Guide from Australia to New Zealand

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on expanding your cross-border e-commerce business into New Zealand!

We will discuss the essential topics for your business success in the New Zealand market. Join us on this insightful journey as we equip you with the knowledge and tools necessary to thrive in this dynamic and lucrative environment.

Max weight: 25kg

Tracking: End-to-end

Delivery aim: 3-6 business days*
*End-to-end delivery for major metro areas

New Zealand has a reputation for being business-friendly and is highly ranked for ease of doing business globally. As a developed country with a growing economy, it is no surprise that it is a lucrative and ideal market to venture into.

Additionally, New Zealand is Australia’s closest trade partner, sharing a rich history and a strong economic relationship known as Trans-Tasman relations. This connection simplifies the process for Australian businesses looking to expand into New Zealand, providing a seamless pathway to growth and opportunity.

Australia and New Zealand are the World Trade Organization (WTO) members, further enhancing their economic ties. The Australia-New Zealand Closer Economic Relations Trade Agreement (ANZCERTA) solidifies this partnership, offering support and resources for businesses aiming to cross borders.

With its vibrant economy, innovative spirit, and supportive regulatory environment, New Zealand presents an exceptional opportunity for businesses ready to explore new horizons.

Source: AU Departments of Foreign Affairs and Trade

The Shift From Offline to Online Shopping

According to Statista, online shopping in New Zealand experienced a notable surge during the pandemic, leading to a permanent shift in consumer purchasing behaviour. Even after the COVID-19 restrictions were lifted, many shoppers continue to shop online, making e-commerce a key component of the retail landscape in New Zealand.

The rise in online shopping also stems from the rising living costs, as many shoppers turned to shopping online for discounts and special offers.

Card Payments and BNPL Schemes

In 2022, half of all online transactions in New Zealand were made using cards, according to RetailAsia. By 2023, card payments continued to dominate the e-commerce sector, holding a 57% market share, and remain prevalent even today.

Additionally, Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) schemes have become increasingly popular as an alternative payment method. However, Statista also reports these options carry risks as many consumers have reported that BNPL can encourage impulse buying and overspending, leading to late fees.

Growth of Omnichannel Shopping

New Zealand has an internet penetration of 95.70% which makes digital shopping channels essential to the retail experience. As consumers increasingly seek to compare products and prices across various platforms and check product details before making in-store purchases, omnichannel shopping is becoming more common. In 2023, over two-thirds of shoppers reported browsing online before buying items in physical stores.

Top E-Commerce Categories Segmentation by Popularity

According to Statista, the most popular online shopping categories for B2C e-commerce in New Zealand are:

Popular Online Shopping Platforms in New Zealand

Here are the top 5 most popular shopping platforms in New Zealand according to Similarweb:

Woolsworth.co.nz
Harveynorman.co.nz
Cheapies.nz
Spotlightstores.com
Macpac.co.nz

Important Sales Season in New Zealand

During peak shopping seasons, timely deliveries become even more critical for businesses. With a surge in orders, customers expect their purchases to arrive quickly, especially during holidays and special promotions. That being said, below are the important sales seasons you should be aware of when venturing into New Zealand:

Single’s Day – November 11^th
Black Friday – November 29^th
Cyber Monday – December 2^nd
Super Saturday – December 21^st, also known as “Panic Saturday” as this is the final Saturday before Christmas
Christmas – December 25^th, but usually the surge comes in from a few days before
Boxing day – December 26^th

Customs Regulations Overview in New Zealand

New Zealand’s de minimis value is NZD 1,000. This means if your shipment value is below the de minimis value, no duties and other fees will be collected; with an exception for alcohol and tobacco products which you will need to pay duty and taxes regardless of the value.

For more information on charges related to alcohol and tobacco products, please visit Allowances and Charges.

Before importing commercial goods into New Zealand, you need to submit an electronic import declaration. If your import goods value is over NZD1,000, you will also need to provide a client code, which you can obtain by completing a current NZCS Form 224. All goods imported into New Zealand need to be cleared by the New Zealand Customs Service (Customs) and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).

Source: NZ Government Customs | TSW Fact Sheet

Required Customs Documents

1. Commercial Invoice

This is a must-have if you are shipping goods into New Zealand. Typically it will include the following information:

Shipper and buyers’ full details (name, address, contact information, tax ID number)
Shipment details (shipment ID, invoice number, PO number, export reasons)
Description of goods including quantity
Country of origin
Cost of goods and any GST collected (indicate the currency)

Source: Zonos

2. Bill of Lading or Airway Bill

Depending on the mode of transport, you will need to either provide an airway bill for air and ground shipment, or a bill of lading for sea, train, and truck shipments.

3. Import Permit

Depending on the type of goods you are importing, sometimes you need to submit an import permit. For example, if you are importing goods such as medicine, vehicles, or machinery, you will need to obtain an import permit as these are considered prohibited and restricted goods.

4. Import Certificates

This is typically issued by the government authorities to ensure that the goods meet specific regulatory requirements and safety standards. Before you can import items such as food, animals, plants, and certain chemicals, you need to apply for this certificate beforehand.

5. Certificate of Origin

Used to certify the country in which a product was manufactured or produced. It typically includes details such as:

Description of the goods
Country of origin
Exporter information
Signature and stamp of the issuing authority

The CITES items most commonly seized or surrendered at the New Zealand border include:

Corals and clams
Crocodile and alligator products (jerky and leather)
American ginseng root and traditional medicines containing dendrobium and saussurea costus

To find out more about the endangered species restricted for importation to New Zealand, please visit the New Zealand customs service website.

When importing plants, seeds, bulbs, cuttings, hybrids, or any plant species into New Zealand, you must:

Ensure they are listed on the Ministry for Primary Industries' (MPI) Plant Biosecurity Index
Ensure they have associated import specifications
Confirm that the EPA has determined them as not new

Source: EPA NZ

Restricted weapons such as stun devices and pepper spray require a permit from the New Zealand Police. Certain weapons are classified as prohibited items and can only be imported with a consent to import issued by the New Zealand Police. This category includes:

Automatic opening knives (e.g., flick knives or flick guns)
Gravity or butterfly knives (balisong)
Swordsticks
Knuckle dusters

These items are prohibited by the Customs Import Prohibition (Offensive Weapons) Order 2021.

New Zealand has strict restrictions on the importation, supply, and acquisition of high-power laser pointers. Only authorized users with a legitimate purpose can use high-power laser pointers. This includes researchers, astronomers, and the NZ Defence Force. You need to get authorization from the Director-General of Health to supply or acquire a high-power laser pointer.

Source: Ministry of Health NZ | Laser Pointer Safety

Since July 25, 2022, New Zealand prohibits the import of gold of Russian origin. Other prohibited items include:

Luxury goods of Russian origin, such as vodka, truffles, seafood, and precious stones
Oil, gas, and coal of Russian origin
Some dog breeds
Dog-tracking collars
Objectionable material
Equipment for using cannabis or methamphetamine

Source: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade | New Zealand Customs Service

You may not be able to bring some medicines or controlled drugs into New Zealand.

More information about medicines.

Prohibited Items List

You can’t bring or import any of these items into New Zealand:

Objectionable material contained on items such as:
- Mobile phones
- USB devices
- Videotapes or films
- Records or CD-ROMs
- Publications
Equipment for smoking or taking drugs, including:
- Certain cannabis or methamphetamine utensils
- Vaporisers
Some firearms and weapons, such as:
- Flick knives
- Butterfly knives
- Swordsticks
- Knuckle dusters
Small high powered magnets, such as “buckyballs”
Anything which you’re planning to use in a crime involving dishonesty.

Source: New Zealand Customs Service

Introduction to e-PAQ Select International Shipping Solution

At Asendia, we have a specialist range of international packet and parcel services called e-PAQ Select designed for online retailers like yourself.

Why e-PAQ Select is the best solution for your international shipping needs to Canada:

Delivery service is available on Monday to Friday.
Delivery Duty Paid (DDP) and Delivery Duty Unpaid (DDU) available.
Parcel tracking available for visibility (end-to-end from facility to delivery).
Nationwide delivery coverage.
Re-delivery attempts available (first attempt and 1 re-delivery attempt).
New Zealand in-country delivery SLA: 2-5 business days*
Dimweight limit:
- Up to 25kg
- Maximum length: 1.5m
- Maximum size: 0.125m³
Standard liability of AUD50