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

The relationship between the United States and New Zealand is one that has been marked by cooperation, mutual respect, and trust. This strong bilateral relationship was especially evident in the field of trade, as the US and New Zealand have engaged in substantial cross-border commerce throughout their history. 

If you are thinking about participating in the U.S. and New Zealand trade, get to know your options for ocean and air shipping in this article.

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

If you need to ship freight from the U.S. to New Zealand, there are a few different options available. Depending on your budget, timeframe, and other factors, one option might be better suited for your needs than another. Let’s take a look at some of the most common shipping methods used when moving freight from the U.S. to New Zealand.

Ocean Freight From the United States to New Zealand 

Ocean freight is often the cheapest way to transport goods across long distances over water. When shipping by sea, your cargo will be loaded into a container that can either be transported by feeder ships or through larger vessels known as ultra-large container ships (ULCS). With ocean freight, you typically have two choices: less than container load or full container load.

LCL is a term used in shipping to describe shipments that do not fill the entire shipping container. These shipments go through the consolidation process with other LCL shipments bound for the same destination and loaded into a single container. This can be a cost-effective option for smaller shipments, or for those who do not have enough goods to fill the entire shipping container.

FCL is the most common way to ship by container. This is because it is more efficient and cost-effective than shipping goods using less container load (LCL). LCL shipments require multiple shippers to consolidate their goods into one container, which can be costly and time-consuming. FCL shipments also have a higher chance of arriving on time and in good condition because the goods are not handled as much as they are with LCL shipments.

Air Freight from the United States to New Zealand 

Air freight is generally the fastest and most expensive shipping method available. However, it is also the most reliable way to move your goods to New Zealand.

If you're looking to ship small items fast, air freight may be your best option. However, if you need larger, bulkier items shipped at a lower cost, it might make sense to consider shipping via sea freight instead.

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

Shipping cargo from the United States to New Zealand can be relatively affordable, depending on a number of different 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

Use our online freight costs calculator to get an estimate of your shipping costs. The table below provides the current cost for shipping a standard 20-foot container from the US to New Zealand:

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

The transit time for goods shipped from the United States to New Zealand depends mainly on the international shipping mode you select. Additional factors influencing the transit time are:

• The shipping season (peak or low)
• Direct or indirect shipment route
• The trade lane's popularity
• Geopolitical instability
• Potential incidents at ports

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

It takes about 15 to 50 days to ship cargo from the United States to New Zealand. 

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

Shipping cargo by air from the United States to New Zealand can take anywhere from 2 to 8 days, depending on several different factors. 

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

Customs Clearance in the United States and New Zealand 

Customs clearance is an important part of international trade, and it can be a confusing and complex process for both importers and exporters. In general, you need to prepare the following documents:

• 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

We have a full documents list you can refer to for the necessary paperwork you need to prepare to meet customs clearance requirements. 

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

Ocean Freight

With ocean freight, you’ll get all the benefits of cost efficiency and reliability that come with this type of shipping. By using massive cargo ships, you’ll be able to save money on fuel costs as well as cut down on storage space at port facilities. 

However, there are some drawbacks to ocean freight: most notably its slower speed compared to air freight. Depending on your destination, goods can take weeks or even months to arrive by ship.

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

When you ship LCL, you only pay for the space your goods take up in the container - not the entire container. This can lead to big savings, especially if you're only shipping a small number of goods.

With LCL freight shipping, you can ship almost anything - from clothes and electronics to office supplies, furniture, and even vehicles! Because it saves on costs and has such versatile options, it's one of the most cost-effective methods of shipping available today.

Considerations for FCL Freight Shipping

FCL freight shipping is a tried and true method of shipping goods. It's been used for centuries by businesses all over the world, and it's still the preferred choice for many companies today. FCL is fast and efficient. Your goods will be loaded onto a container ship and transported to their destination quickly and efficiently.

One of the biggest benefits of FCL freight shipping is that you don't have to worry about coordinating multiple shipments. You can just load up one container and ship it with ease, rather than struggling to coordinate multiple shipments as you would with LCL.

Air Freight

Air freight is faster than sea transportation. This means that your products can reach their destination more quickly, which can be crucial if you're on a tight deadline or operating in an industry where time is of the essence, such as medicine or technology. While it is more expensive, it is a fast and reliable way to transport your products from the U.S. to New Zealand.

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in the United States

Port of Los Angeles

The Port of LA is a globally recognized leader in green technology, sustainability, and environmental stewardship with one of the most successful track records in clean truck programs. 

This port has made great strides over the years when it comes to reducing emissions by enhancing air quality as well as creating jobs through infrastructure development. Over 10 million people visit the port per year and over 6,000 cargo ships pass through every year.

Port of Philadelphia

The Port of Philadelphia is one of the busiest ports in the United States, handling around 30 million tons of cargo every year. It is located on the Delaware River and handles a wide variety of goods, including cars, crude oil, chemicals, and agricultural products.

Port of Houston

The Port of Houston is a major seaport located in Houston, Texas. It is one of the busiest ports in the United States and handles a large amount of international trade. The port is also a major employer in the Houston area and supports a large number of businesses.

Cargo ports of arrival in New Zealand 

Port of Auckland

The Port of Auckland is one of the busiest ports in New Zealand and an important economic center for the country. It serves as a gateway to New Zealand for international trade and tourism, handling over 20 million tonnes of cargo each year.

Port of Wellington

The Port of Wellington is a major deepwater port in New Zealand, located at the southern tip of the North Island. It is the country's largest and busiest port, handling around $30 billion worth of trade each year.

The port handles a wide range of cargo, including containers, vehicles, livestock, and bulk commodities such as coal and oil. It also has a significant cruise ship industry, with over 100 cruise ships visiting each year.

Port of Christchurch

The Port of Christchurch is one of New Zealand's busiest ports, handling over two million tonnes of cargo each year. The port is located on the city's doorstep, making it a convenient transport hub for businesses and tourists alike.

The port offers a wide range of facilities and services, including container terminals, general cargo berths, ro-ro (roll-on/roll-off) facilities, and a cruise ship terminal. The port is also home to a variety of businesses, including shipping companies, freight forwarders, and customs brokers.

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

Airports of origin in the United States 

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

The Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, also known as Atlanta Airport, is one of the busiest airports in the world. The airport services cargo operations for a wide range of industries, from pharmaceuticals to apparel. 

Chicago O'Hare International Airport

The Chicago O'Hare International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world, handling over 2 million tons of cargo each year. The airport is home to a number of cargo-related businesses and services, including several freight forwarders, customs brokers, and warehousing companies.

Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport

The Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is one of the busiest airports in the United States, handling over 2 million tons of cargo each year. DFW offers a variety of cargo services to meet the needs of businesses and organizations shipping goods to and from the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Airports of arrival in New Zealand 

Auckland International Airport

The Auckland International Airport is one of the busiest airports in New Zealand, handling over 21 million passengers and 1.6 million tonnes of cargo each year. The airport is a major hub for Air New Zealand, and also serves as a gateway to the rest of New Zealand for international airlines such as Qantas, Virgin Australia, Emirates, and Singapore Airlines.

Christchurch International Airport

The Christchurch International Airport is the main gateway to New Zealand's South Island, and the second busiest airport in the entire country. Christchurch International Airport provides cargo facilities that offer export handling services for products such as meat and produce.

Wellington International Airport

The Wellington International Airport is the main airport serving Wellington, New Zealand. It handles large volumes of cargo and passenger flights, making it a hub for air travel in the country.

As one of the busiest airports in New Zealand, Wellington International Airport provides a range of services to support both cargo and passenger shipments. These include transport links to and from the airport, customs checks, security screening, and storage facilities for goods being shipped via air.