Short Crossing. Days, Not Weeks. Fully Handled.
From an Auckland trailer-sailer to a Hauraki Gulf launch — we've been moving boats and yachts across the Tasman for over 30 years. The shortest blue-water route into Australia, with less than 0.5% damage across all RoRo cargo.
Bringing a boat across the Tasman isn't freight forwarding with a different cargo — it's a completely different discipline. Marine surveys, escrow, CFC permits, anti-fouling, trailer approvals, thermal imaging, cradle construction, sailing-in clearance. We've been doing this between New Zealand and Australia since before most freight brokers had a website.
independent pre-purchase surveys arranged at Auckland, Tauranga & every major NZ marina.
your funds are released only when the vessel is collected.
we match the method to the vessel — not the other way around.
handled in parallel with shipping — no last-minute panic at the wharf.
bonded facilities in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne & Fremantle.
The right shipping method depends on the dimensions of your vessel — beam, height and length. Here's how we match each Kiwi boat to the safest, most economical route across the Tasman.
Boats and yachts that fit inside a 40-foot container ship at the most economical rate available. Consolidated services from Auckland, Tauranga & Wellington.
On trailers (RoRo) or on cradles using MAFI platforms (Break Bulk). Priced per cubic metre — we can reduce dimensions to save you thousands.
Specialised charter services or multiple flat-racks on container ships. Ex-NZ via Auckland, Tauranga & Lyttelton, discharging into Australian waters.
From the moment you spot the boat in New Zealand to the day you collect it from an Australian marina — we coordinate every leg.
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We arrange an independent inspection through an accredited marine surveyor at the boat's NZ location. Verify condition, authenticity and a fair purchase price before you commit a dollar.
Escrow available — your funds are protected until the vessel is collected.
CFC permits for air-conditioned yachts, trailer import approvals through DOTARS (3–8 weeks lead time), travel logs for vessels crossing international waters, plus the Letter of Authority for customs clearance.
Container consolidation, Roll-on Roll-off, Break Bulk or specialised charter — matched to your vessel's dimensions, value and NZ departure port. We also coordinate inland transport at origin.
Licensed customs brokerage, 0% duty under CER & AANZFTA, 10% GST calculation, thermal imaging biosecurity checks, anti-fouling verification, bilge water and plant material clearance. We resolve issues before they become storage fees.
Once cleared, your vessel is transported to your marina, yard or trailer pickup. We can also assist with state or national registration through the Australian Shipping Registration Office.
Crossing the Tasman under your own sail or engine? It's one of the most popular blue-water deliveries into Australia — and Australian Border Force requires notification at least 96 hours before arrival. We handle the customs clearance, documentation and port-of-entry logistics so you can focus on the crossing.
New Zealand is one of the world's great boating nations — meticulously maintained launches, trailer-sailers and blue-water yachts built for Hauraki Gulf and Cook Strait conditions. And it's the shortest sea route into Australia, so your vessel spends the least time on the water.
NZ-built boats enter duty-free under CER and AANZFTA.
The closest blue-water crossing — days, not weeks at sea.
Familiar build quality, helm layout and survey expectations.
Favourable exchange and lower freight than long-haul routes.
Cost: 10% GST applies on CIF value · Quarantine inspection from $139 · Marine transit insurance ~1.5% of insured value.
Every vessel operating in Australian waters must be registered. Which authority depends on how far from shore you intend to cruise.
State or territory authority where the vessel primarily operates. Standard for personal use within Australian coastal waters.
The Australian Shipping Registration Office (Canberra) handles vessels operating internationally or beyond coastal waters.
Australian biosecurity is the strictest in the world — and used boats are the highest-risk cargo. Most cleaning orders and storage fees come from the same five issues. We prep for all of them before the vessel leaves New Zealand.
We pre-clean, shrink-wrap, and document — before the boat leaves the NZ port.
The Tasman is the shortest blue-water route into Australia. Container and RoRo sailings from Auckland, Tauranga or Lyttelton typically take around 1–2 weeks door-to-port depending on schedule, plus ~7–14 days for customs and quarantine on arrival. We provide realistic timelines per route in your quote.
NZ-manufactured boats are generally duty-free under the Australia-New Zealand Closer Economic Relations (CER) agreement and AANZFTA. 10% GST still applies on the CIF (Cost + Insurance + Freight) value. Boats built outside NZ may attract 5% general duty — we confirm the duty position before you commit.
Boats up to 2.59m beam and 1.8m high typically ship by shared container (cheapest). Wider or taller vessels go RoRo on a trailer or Break Bulk on a cradle. Larger yachts use specialised charters or multiple flat-racks. We recommend the safest, most economical option per vessel.
Many owners do — it's one of the most popular blue-water deliveries into Australia. If you sail in under your own power, Australian Border Force requires notification at least 96 hours before arrival and a Form B333 Smallcraft Arrival Report. We coordinate the clearance and documentation on your behalf.
An independent inspection by an accredited surveyor — verifying condition, authenticity, and fair market value. We strongly recommend one before any purchase. It typically saves more than it costs by exposing hidden issues or supporting price negotiation.
Yes — but the trailer needs a separate import approval. DOTARS takes 3–8 weeks to process during peak season. We lodge applications in parallel with shipping so the trailer doesn't sit at the wharf accruing storage fees.
Yes — yachts with air-conditioning or refrigeration require a CFC import permit. We notify customs in advance and assemble the documentation as part of the standard import package.
1 Citywest Court,
Gilberton QLD 4208, Australia
Don't leave the import to chance. Work with marine specialists who've handled everything from tenders to superyachts — across the Tasman — since the 90s.
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