Shipping your furniture to New Zealand can be expensive, but replacing everything once you arrive could cost more. The best choice will depend on what each item would cost to ship, what it would cost to buy again, and whether it suits your new home.
As an expert in removals to New Zealand, we’ve put together this guide looking at common furniture and household items, so you can make decisions based on your belongings rather than a generic moving checklist.
How shipping furniture to New Zealand is priced
For sea freight, the space your belongings take up is usually more important than their weight. A large, inexpensive sofa can use more container space than a number of smaller, valuable items, so bulky furniture can cost a lot to ship relative to its replacement value.
You should allow up to 14 weeks for a sea-freight move, although some door-to-door shipments can take longer. Routes, sailing schedules, port handling, customs clearance, and biosecurity inspections all affect the final timings.
A pre-move survey will help to establish the volume of your shipment in cubic metres before you make final decisions. You can then ask for the costs of shipping different combinations of items, rather than guessing whether the whole house will fit.
Full container or shared container?
A 20ft container holds roughly 30 cubic metres and could suit a smaller household or a typical two- to three-bedroom home, depending on how much furniture you have. A 40ft container holds roughly twice as much and could be suitable for a larger household. These are guides, not guarantees: furniture shapes, packing methods and the contents of your home affect what will fit.
If you have only a few pieces to send, shared-container shipping (also called groupage shipping) lets you pay for the space you use alongside other customers’ belongings. It can cost less than booking a whole container, but the shipment might take longer and arrival dates can be less predictable whilst the load is consolidated.
New Zealand biosecurity rules and what they mean for your furniture
New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) inspects incoming household goods to check for biosecurity risks. Its rules are stringent because soil, insects, seeds, and plant material can carry pests or diseases. Items need to be clean, and goods that don’t meet requirements might need to be treated, sent back, or destroyed at the owner’s expense.
You’ll need to pay particular attention to wooden furniture, which could be checked for wood-boring insects, as well as natural-fibre items such as wicker, rattan and cane. Furniture will need to be cleaned thoroughly, including undersides, joints, drawers and any crevices where dirt or insects could be hiding. You shouldn’t assume an item will be accepted just because it is old or has been indoors.
Before packing, check MPI’s current guidance for household goods and personal effects. Requirements can change, and your mover can advise on preparing your shipment.
A quick test to run on every piece of furniture
Before what to take with you, ask four questions:
- What will it cost to ship?
- What would it cost to replace in New Zealand?
- Will it fit the new home?
- Can it be cleaned and prepared to meet biosecurity requirements?
Sentimental value can sometimes outweigh the financial calculation. An inherited table or a piece tied to a particular person might be worth shipping even if it would be cheaper to replace.
If you have a property lined up, attain measurements for the rooms, doorways, stairs, and access points before you commit to bringing furniture. If you don’t have your final home confirmed yet, you can use likely room sizes and layouts as a guide, then revisit the decision when you know more.
Furniture that might be worth shipping to New Zealand
Some furniture is worth the space and cost of shipping, especially if it would be expensive or difficult to replace in New Zealand. Consider the quality, condition, and practical value of each piece, as well as any personal significance it holds.
Solid wood pieces and antiques
A well-made wooden table, wardrobe or antique would likely be expensive to replace, which makes it a strong candidate for shipping. You’ll need to check it for signs of woodworm or other pests, and clean it thoroughly before it is packed. MPI is likely to inspect wooden items, so you can ask your mover how best to prepare them.
Antiques containing ivory, tortoiseshell, or certain exotic woods could be subject to restrictions under CITES, the international wildlife trade convention. You’ll need to check whether permits or other paperwork are needed before shipping. Valuable or fragile pieces would benefit from professional wrapping or a made-to-measure crate.
Heirlooms and sentimental items
If a piece can’t be replaced at any price, the decision is probably straightforward. You should photograph it before packing, record its condition, and include it separately in your inventory. Ask your mover about the right insurance cover and whether a professional condition report or valuation would be useful.
Storage furniture you can pack inside
Chests of drawers, wardrobes, and sideboards can make good use of container space if your mover allows them to be packed with soft items such as clothing or bedding. You should check what can be left inside – the contents will probably need to be listed, and fragile or restricted items should not be packed in furniture.
Bookcases and dining chairs can also be practical choices, especially if shelves can be removed or chairs can be stacked or nested to save space.
Furniture to think twice about shipping to New Zealand
Some items can cost more to ship than they are worth, or could be difficult to fit or prepare for the journey. Before deciding, compare the shipping cost with the price of replacing the item in New Zealand.
Large sofas and recliners
Sofas and recliners can take up a lot of room, especially if they’re bulky or worn. You can compare the cost of shipping yours with the price of buying a replacement in New Zealand. Furniture can be expensive there, so check a few local retailers before you decide that selling your sofa is the cheaper option.
Beds and mattresses
Bed sizes differ between the UK and New Zealand. A New Zealand Queen is a common size, and a UK bed frame probably won’t match the mattress sizes that are readily available locally. Check the measurements of your frame and the sizes sold near your destination before you ship it.
Used mattresses can be difficult to clean thoroughly to biosecurity standards. Many people moving to New Zealand choose to replace them rather than ship them, especially if they are old or nearing the end of their useful life.
Flat-pack furniture
Low-cost flat-pack items might not survive being dismantled, shipped, and assembled again. If the furniture is inexpensive to replace and in good condition, selling it or giving it away before you leave could be the simpler option.
Wicker, rattan and cane
Natural-fibre furniture can be difficult to clean thoroughly, and its texture and woven gaps can attract closer inspection. Consider only shipping pieces that are in good condition and that can be cleaned and prepared properly. You can ask your mover for advice before including them.
Garden furniture, BBQs and outdoor items
Outdoor furniture and equipment will need careful cleaning. You’ll need to remove all soil, grass, cobwebs, and insects from legs, joints, undersides, and crevices. Dirt or plant material left behind is a common cause of inspection problems. Cheap garden furniture is rarely worth the time spent cleaning it or the container space it uses, and many people opt to sell it or give it away before their relocation.
If you want to take your BBQ, you’ll have to empty and clean it thoroughly, including trays and removable parts, and check the latest MPI guidance for any additional requirements. Often it can be easier to sell your BBQ before you move.
Appliances and electricals
New Zealand uses 230V electricity and Type I plugs, so UK appliances won’t be compatible. A plug adapter might be enough for some appliances, but others could need a suitable plug change. You should also consider the appliance’s age, condition, warranty, and likely repair costs.
White goods take up substantial space, and a UK fridge, freezer, or washing machine might not suit the dimensions of a New Zealand kitchen or laundry area. It’s often better to sell or dispose of older appliances in the UK rather than shipping them across the world.
What you’ll have to leave behind
Some items are impractical to ship because they can’t realistically be cleaned to MPI standards, or because they are restricted or prohibited. Flammable goods, paints, aerosols, and gas bottles are among the items that should not go in a household shipment. You should check the current rules with MPI and your mover before you pack anything you are unsure about.
For items you decide not to take, consider selling, donating, arranging a charity collection, or booking a house clearance service. Local online marketplaces and furniture resale platforms can work well for household pieces, but auction houses could be a better option for valuable antiques. Charity collections or local reuse schemes might accept suitable furniture, but you should aim to arrange collections in good time.
Customs paperwork for your household goods
New Zealand Customs concessions can apply to used household effects, including furniture, if you meet the eligibility criteria. These can include holding an appropriate document authorising residence, having lived outside New Zealand for the required period, and having personally owned and used the goods before departure. New or unused items may not qualify. Check the current household effects concession rules before shipping.
You will need a detailed, accurate packing list and the required declarations and import documents. Your removal company will usually help you understand and prepare the paperwork, but you are responsible for providing correct information. Keep receipts, photographs, and valuations for higher-value pieces.
Get a quote for shipping your furniture to New Zealand
The most useful starting point is a pre-move survey with your local Britannia team. They can assess the volume of your belongings, discuss what to ship or store, and explain options for packing, crating and international transport.
Britannia combines local knowledge with an international network, helping you plan the move from your UK home through to delivery in New Zealand. You can request a quote for your New Zealand move and get advice based on the furniture you actually want to take. Alternatively, you can call us on 0845 600 6661 or email [email protected].
