Shipping from China to New Zealand: A complete guide

China remains one of the world’s largest exporters and a dominant force in global manufacturing. For businesses looking to bring in Chinese products, the trade lane between these two nations is bustling with opportunity. New Zealand boasts a fast-growing e-commerce market, with high internet penetration and a consumer base that’s increasingly comfortable buying from overseas.

However, navigating shipping from China to New Zealand requires more than just booking a courier. To succeed, businesses must understand the specific logistics landscape, including customs clearance, biosecurity regulations, and duties. Whether you’re wondering how to ship from China to New Zealand for the first time or looking to optimize your existing supply chain, this guide covers all the essentials for seamless market entry.

New Zealand’s e-commerce landscape

New Zealand’s digital economy is thriving. According to Statista, the e-commerce market is projected to grow at a continuous annual rate of 1.72% through 2025 and beyond1. Supported by a population that is highly digitally literate, online shopping penetration has reached significant levels, primarily driven by a mobile-first approach.

Kiwi consumers are not limited by geography; a large portion of online retail spend goes to offshore retailers. This openness makes shipping from China to New Zealand a viable and profitable channel for sellers. Key trends shaping this landscape include a demand for sustainability, transparent shipping costs, and speed. Consumers expect their international orders to arrive quickly, bridging the gap between offshore production and local delivery.

What do New Zealand consumers buy online?

When determining what to import from China, understanding local demand is essential. Because New Zealand relies heavily on imported consumer goods, the market for cross-border products is robust. According to Statista, top-performing categories include fashion, apparel, and food & beverages2. 

Aligning your inventory with these preferences is critical, especially during peak seasonal events. The crossover of Singles’ Day (11.11) and the Christmas rush creates massive spikes in volume, making accurate stock planning essential for capitalizing on this demand.

Where do New Zealand consumers shop online?

To reach the Kiwi consumer, you need to be where they shop. The online retail landscape in New Zealand has shifted significantly, with value-driven platforms now taking the top spots.

Currently, Temu ranks as the number one shopping platform3, having rapidly gained dominance through its competitive pricing and vast product range. 

The surge of platforms like Temu highlights a clear trend: Kiwis are increasingly comfortable with cross-border shopping apps that offer direct access to international goods. For Chinese exporters, this signals a massive opportunity to utilize direct-to-consumer (DTC) channels, provided they can offer reliable shipping from China to New Zealand that rivals the delivery speeds of these top-tier platforms.

New Zealand import regulations and customs clearance

Entering the New Zealand market requires strict adherence to government regulations. The New Zealand Customs Service and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) are the primary agencies involved. MPI is particularly strict regarding biosecurity to protect New Zealand’s unique ecosystem4.

When managing shipping from China to New Zealand, ensure you have the following documentation:

• Commercial invoice: Must detail the actual value of goods, HS codes, and description.
• Air Waybill (AWB): The transport contract.
• Packing list: Details the contents of each package.
• Certificate of Origin: Required if you are claiming preferential tariff treatment under the China-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement.

Using the correct product classification codes for international shipping (HS Codes) is critical. Incorrect coding can lead to delays, inspections, and incorrect duty charges.

Duties, Taxes, and GST on imports

Understanding the price breakdown for shipping from China to NZ is vital to your margins In New Zealand, Goods and Services Tax (GST) is set at 15%5.

Since December 2019, New Zealand has removed the de minimis threshold for GST. This means that GST applies to all imported goods, regardless of value6:

• Low-Value goods (under NZ$1,000): Offshore suppliers may need to register and collect GST at the point of sale.
• High-Value goods (over NZ$1,000): GST and duties are generally collected at the border.

Restricted and prohibited goods

Before learning how to import goods from China, you must know what cannot be shipped. New Zealand has some of the strictest biosecurity laws in the world.

Common restrictions include7:

• Agricultural and food products: To prevent pests and diseases, items such as fresh fruit, seeds, meat, honey, and plants are strictly regulated. All food must be declared to the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
• Medicines and controlled drugs: Importing prescription medicines, including those containing pseudoephedrine or cannabis-based products, requires strict approvals. Traditional medicines containing ingredients from endangered species (e.g., bear, tiger, or musk) are prohibited under CITES regulations.
• Hazardous substances: This category extends beyond obvious chemicals to include fireworks, specific cleaning agents, and items containing asbestos.
• Prohibited electronics: Certain dog-tracking devices (e.g., specific Garmin models) are illegal to import because they interfere with sensitive New Zealand radio frequencies.
• Objectionable material: Publications or items deemed objectionable are strictly prohibited from entry.

Failure to declare restricted items can result in severe fines, prosecution, and the immediate destruction of goods. Always verify your product list with the New Zealand Customs Service and MPI websites, or consult your international courier partner before shipping.

Shipping costs and transit times from China to New Zealand

In e-commerce, speed sells. When shipping from China to New Zealand, selecting a time-definite service ensures your products arrive while buyer excitement is still high.

Shipping costs from China are calculated based on a few key factors:

• Weight and dimensions: Costs are determined by the greater of the actual weight or the volumetric weight of your package. Efficient packaging can help optimize your spend.
• Speed: Premium express services cost more than standard options but offer tracking visibility and speed that standard postal networks cannot match.
• Incoterms: Your choice of International Commercial Terms (e.g., DDP vs. DAP) dictates who pays for duties, taxes, and shipping. This directly impacts your total landed cost and pricing strategy..

DHL’s MyGTS (Global Trade Services) tool lets you get an accurate picture of your total costs, including estimated landed costs (duties, taxes, and shipping fees). Through this, you are able to price your products transparently and avoid unexpected border charges.

Payment preferences in New Zealand

To convert Kiwi shoppers, you must offer their preferred payment methods. Credit, debit cards and mobile wallets are standard, but alternative methods are gaining traction.

• PayPal: Widely trusted for international transactions.
• Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL): Services like Afterpay are extremely popular in New Zealand.

Ensure your checkout process clearly displays the price of shipping from China to NZ, including any taxes if you are collecting them at checkout to build trust.

Tips for successful shipping from China to New Zealand

To ensure a smooth entry into the market and build long-term loyalty with Kiwi customers, consider these best practices:

• Classify correctly: Always use the correct HS Codes to avoid border delays.
• Be transparent: Clearly communicate shipping costs from China to New Zealand as well as tax responsibilities to your customers.
• Localize: Adapt your product offering to New Zealand seasons and holidays.
• Prioritize experience: Use services like DHL Express’ On-Demand Delivery (ODD) to allow your Kiwi customers to choose when and where their package is delivered.

Partner with DHL Express for seamless China–New Zealand shipping

Expanding into New Zealand offers a lucrative path for growth, but logistics can be a bottleneck without the right partner. DHL Express specializes in international time-definite shipments, offering the speed and reliability needed to compete in the NZ market.

From managing customs clearance to offering Duties & Taxes Paid (DTP) billing options, DHL Express simplifies cross-border trade. With a robust network in both China and New Zealand, we ensure your goods arrive safely and on time.

Furthermore, businesses can leverage DHL GoGreen Plus to reduce the carbon emissions of their shipments using Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). This aligns perfectly with the sustainability values of New Zealand consumers.

Ready to expand into New Zealand? Open a DHL Express business account today.