Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From New Zealand to the United States

New Zealand is popular worldwide for its pristine landscapes and sustainable practices. For this, it has become a prime supplier of high-quality dairy, meat, and wine products for the United States. The trade relationship between New Zealand and the U.S. encompasses various products, from agriculture to technology. 

In 2022, New Zealand exported $5.4 billion worth of goods to the United States, an 8.7% increase from the previous year and a whopping 56% increase from the previous decade. 

If you need to ship goods from New Zealand to the United States, this guide will provide you with everything you need to know about your shipping options, customs clearance, and more. 

What Are the Options for Shipping Freight From New Zealand to the United States?

To ship goods from New Zealand to the United States, you can engage ocean or air freight. 

Ocean Freight From New Zealand to the United States

Ocean freight is the most cost-efficient way to ship goods from New Zealand to the United States. It’s the cheapest option, allowing shippers on a budget to get their goods to their destination without spending too much. 

Ocean freight is also the most flexible, accommodating all cargo types, weights, sizes, and volumes. It offers shippers two container shipping options: less than container load (LCL) or full container load (FCL). 

LCL is often used by shippers of small goods or those transporting a small cargo volume. Their goods are consolidated with cargo belonging to other sellers and shipped together in one container. Each shipper only pays for the space their goods occupy, making it an economical option for small shipments. 

FCL, on the other hand, is where a shipper rents the space in an entire container for their goods alone. This is best for transporting large or heavy cargo or shipping large volumes.

Air Freight from New Zealand to the United States

The other way you can ship goods from New Zealand to the United States is by air. Air freight is the fastest way to transport cargo overseas, making it preferred by those shipping time-sensitive or perishable items. 

Shippers of high-value goods also like air freight because of the stricter regulations and processes. This helps them guarantee the safety and security of their cargo during transit. 

Air freight, however, isn’t perfect. Some drawbacks include its cost, being more expensive than ocean freight, and its extensive list of restricted and prohibited goods. Air freight cannot accommodate all types of cargo and even limits the weight, size, and volume of shipments. 

How Much Does it Cost to Ship Cargo From New Zealand to the United States?

The cost of shipping cargo from New Zealand to the United States will depend on the following factors: 

• Your choice of ocean or air shipping
• Your preference for door-to-door, port-to-port, port-to-door, or door-to-port shipment
• Your consignment’s weight, volume, and size
• Weight and size limits

For an accurate estimate of your shipping costs, utilize our freight costs calculator. Below, you'll find the current cost for shipping a standard 20-foot container from New Zealand to the United States:

How long does it take to ship cargo from New Zealand to the United States?

The transit time for goods shipped from New Zealand to the United States is mainly determined by your selected international shipping method. However, other influencing factors include:

• The season of shipment (peak or low season)
• Whether the shipment route is direct or not
• The trade lane's popularity
• Geopolitical instability
• Possible incidents at any port

How long does it take to ship cargo by sea from New Zealand to the United States?

If you ship by sea, you can expect your cargo to arrive in the United States in 15 to 50 days. 

How long does it take to ship cargo by air from New Zealand to the United States?

On the other hand, shipping by air can get your cargo from New Zealand to the United States in 2-8 days. 

For the most accurate estimate, we recommend using our transit time calculator.

Customs Clearance in New Zealand and the United States

When your goods arrive in a United States port or airport, they will go through the customs clearance process. This should be a breeze, provided you prepare and submit the following requirements: 

• A commercial invoice
• A packing list
• A certificate of origin
• A letter of credit or other payment terms (depending on the contract between the parties involved)
• A bill of lading for ocean freight or an Airway Bill for air freight

You can look at our full documents list for examples of each customs clearance requirement. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

Now, should you choose ocean or air freight? The decision should reflect your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements. Here are some pointers to consider to help you make the right choice. 

Ocean Freight 

If you are shipping on a budget or have specialized shipping needs, you should consider ocean freight. It costs a lot less than air freight but can accommodate a wider range of cargo types. Not to mention that it even gives you the option of shipping via LCL or FCL. 

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

Choose to ship via LCL if your cargo is: 

• Small in size and quantity 
• Lightweight
• Suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers
• Not delicate, fragile, or high-value 
• Not requiring special handling or movement 

Considerations for FCL Freight Shipping

If LCL doesn’t seem right for you, consider FCL. This is best for cargo that is: 

• Large in size and quantity 
• Heavy or overweight
• Not suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers 
• Delicate, fragile, or high-value 
• Requiring special handling or movement 

Air Freight

If you need your cargo to arrive in the United States as quickly as possible, we recommend shipping by air. The fastest mode of international shipping, air freight can transport your goods from New Zealand to the U.S. in 2 to 8 days. It’s best for time-sensitive or perishable goods. 

You will also appreciate air freight if you’re shipping high-value cargo. Air freight has strict airport regulations and processes, which can increase cargo security during transit and processing. 

The only cons you need to consider are its cost and limitations. Air freight is the most expensive way to transport cargo overseas. It also limits what you can and cannot ship and the size, weight, and volume of your cargo. 

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in New Zealand

Port of Tauranga

The Port of Tauranga is the largest in New Zealand in terms of total cargo volume and container throughput. It handles over 950,000 TEUs per year. The port boasts 12 berths on its mountainside and three on its island. 

Port of Auckland

The Port of Auckland combines several ports and harbors. It houses the Fergusson container terminal, which handles international trade in 55 hectares of wharves. The port has an environmentally friendly initiative to produce zero emissions by 2040. 

Port of Wellington

The Port of Wellington is the most strategically placed in New Zealand, perfectly positioned on the country's southern tip for international trade. It sees a lot of inbound and outbound traffic in its container terminal, tanker terminal, and inter-island ferry services. 

Cargo ports of arrival in the United States

Port of Oakland

The Port of Oakland is an essential seaport in California's San Francisco Bay area. It’s also one of the busiest ports in North America, handling over 2.5 million TEUs annually. The port handles 99% of containerized goods in Northern California. 

Port of Charleston

The Port of Charleston is located in South Carolina and is one of the most pivotal and busiest ports. It handles over 2 million TEUs annually, making it the third-largest container port on the East Coast. 

Port of Miami

The Port of Miami handles over 10.2 million tonnes of cargo and 1.2 million TEUs annually. Located in the U.S. state of Florida, it is an important port for the state’s containerized shipping endeavors and one of the largest cruise capitals in the world. 

Air Freight from New Zealand to the United States: An airport guide

Airports of origin in New Zealand

Auckland Airport

Auckland Airport handles over 70% of air cargo in New Zealand. It moves over 2.5 million tonnes of goods per year to nations like the US, Australia, and countries in Southeast Asia. It’s the largest and busiest airport in New Zealand and offers a full suite of freight services. 

Christchurch Airport

The Christchurch Airport is the second biggest cargo airport in New Zealand, moving over 30% of the nation's air freight. It primarily trades with North America, Southeast Asia, Europe, and Australia. The airport boasts a freight center accommodating customs, cargo airlines, and general freight operators. 

Wellington International Airport

Wellington International Airport serves the lower North Island and upper South Island in New Zealand. Thanks to its central location, it is a prime shipping hub for local businesses. While the airport mostly handles domestic cargo, it also handles international shipments. 

Airports of arrival in the United States

Louisville International Airport

The Louisville International Airport is one of the most popular airports in the world. It’s home to the UPS Worldport, which can sort 416,000 packages per hour and services 250 inbound and outbound flights daily. The airport handles over 2.3 million tonnes of cargo per year. 

Los Angeles International Airport 

The Los Angeles International Airport is among the top five cargo airports in the United States. Its total tonnage is equivalent to the total tonnage of cargo handled by the five largest airports on the West Coast combined. Every year, it handles over 1.9 million tonnes of cargo. 

John F. Kennedy International Airport

The John F. Kennedy International Airport is one of the world’s leading international air cargo centers. Its 20 cargo facilities handle over 1.2 million tonnes of cargo per year. The port boasts special facilities for cold storage, animal handling, and more.