Decide how you want to transport your car. There are two methods of transporting a car. The cheaper method is Roll On Roll Off (RORO), which is when the car is driven on and off the ship. The container method is when the car is secured in a container, which is put onto a ship with a crane. No personal items can be left in an RORO car, but a container car can have personal items in it.
Find shipping companies in Auckland and request a shipping quote. Car-shipping companies typically have quote request forms on their websites. The Auto Car Shippers website (see Resources) allows you to request a quote and hear back from several car shipping companies in your area as Auto Car Shippers has a network of car shipping partners. You can also get a reference from an international moving company if you are using one of those.
Make a booking and provide the necessary paperwork for customs. Bookings typically need to be made more than a week in advance as some ships only leave every seven days, depending on the destination port. When you make your booking, you will have to pay in full and provide two copies of your bill or sale or other proof of ownership, your driver's license and your passport. The average shipping cost in 2009 was $4,000. Keep in mind that you will still need to pay duties at the destination port.
Remove personal items from the car if you are not shipping container method and get your Warrant of Fitness (WOF). The WOF is only required for RORO shipments as it checks the safety of tires, brakes, body structure and other items on the car. The New Zealand Transport Agency issues WOF certificates. See its website (see Resources) to learn where to find your local ageny office.
Wait for your car to be picked up so that you can get your arrival date that the destination port. Shippers are not able to give you an arrival date until the car has been picked up and put on the ship. Once the car is on the ship, you will be given a date that it arrives at the new port. You will have to pay duties at the destination port before you will be allowed to pick up your vehicle.
