Guides
Importing from China to New Zealand, in plain English
Short guides written for small and one-off importers: what things cost, what the rules are and how to avoid surprises. Updated 5 November 2026.
How much does it cost to ship from China to New Zealand?What sea freight from China to NZ really costs in 2026: freight, port charges, delivery, customs levy, duty and GST, with a worked example.Read the guide →NZ import duty, GST and levies explainedHow New Zealand calculates import duty and 15% GST, the NZ$1,000 threshold, and the Customs and MPI goods levies that started on 1 April 2026.Read the guide →Importing from Alibaba to New Zealand: what it really costs per unitHow to work out the true cost per unit of an Alibaba product landed in NZ: freight, duty, GST, levies and payment fees, with a worked example.Read the guide →LCL vs FCL: which should a small NZ importer choose?LCL shares a container; FCL gives you the whole thing. How each is priced, the crossover point, and which suits a small or one-off importer.Read the guide →The China–NZ free trade agreement: how to get 0% dutyGoods made in China enter NZ duty-free under the NZ–China FTA. What counts as Chinese origin, what proof Customs accepts, and how routing can lose it.Read the guide →Cargo insurance for importers: do you need it, and which cover?Carrier liability is capped far below the value of most cargo. How Institute Cargo Clauses A, B and C differ, what general average is, and when to insure.Read the guide →Incoterms explained for importers: EXW, FCA, FOB, CFR, CIF, DAP, DDPWhat each Incoterm means for who pays freight, insurance, duty and GST, where the risk passes, and which to ask your Chinese supplier for.Read the guide →