Cheapest Way to Ship to New Zealand: 2025 Cost Guide

• 10 min read

Sending a package all the way to New Zealand from the US can feel daunting, especially when you start looking at the prices. But finding the cheapest way to ship to New Zealand doesn’t have to be a headache. The short answer is that economy shipping services are consistently the most affordable option for non-urgent deliveries. Whether you’re an e-commerce seller or just sending a gift, the key is understanding your options and knowing where to look for the best deals.

Let’s break down everything you need to know to save money on your next shipment.

Economy vs. Express Shipping: The Big Trade Off

When you’re looking for the cheapest way to ship to New Zealand, you’ll immediately face a choice between economy and express services.

  • Economy Shipping: This is your budget friendly option. These services prioritize cost over speed, often using postal networks for final delivery. You can save a lot of money, sometimes 40% to 80% compared to faster methods, but you’ll need to be patient. Delivery times can range from two to four weeks.
  • Express Shipping: This is for urgent shipments. Carriers like DHL Express can get your package to New Zealand in just a few business days, but you’ll pay a premium for that speed.

For most people, economy shipping is the best and cheapest way to ship to New Zealand, as long as the delivery isn’t time sensitive.

What Factors Influence Your Shipping Cost?

Before diving into specific carriers, it’s helpful to know what determines the price of your shipment. Four main factors are always at play.

  1. Package Weight and Size: Heavier and larger packages cost more. It’s that simple.
  2. Dimensional Weight: Carriers don’t just care about how heavy your box is; they also care about how much space it takes up on a truck or plane. They calculate a “dimensional weight” based on your package’s length, width, and height. If this number is greater than the actual weight, you’ll be billed for the dimensional weight. For a quick walkthrough, see our guide on how to calculate shipping costs (including dimensional weight).
  3. Distance: Shipping from Los Angeles to Auckland is going to be cheaper than shipping from New York, simply because the distance is shorter.
  4. Carrier and Service: Each carrier offers multiple service levels (like economy, standard, and express), each with a different price point and delivery speed.

Top Services for the Cheapest Way to Ship to New Zealand

While major carriers are household names, some of the most affordable options come from specialized international services that you can often find through shipping software. These are fantastic choices if you’re looking for the cheapest way to ship to New Zealand. For broader tips that apply beyond New Zealand, see our guide to cheapest international shipping.

Ultra Economy Options (Slower but Cheapest)

  • Flat Export (Economy Service): This is often the cheapest option available for small, non urgent packages. With rates starting around $25 for a small parcel, it’s hard to beat on price. The trade off is a longer transit time, typically 17 to 22 business days. Tracking is also limited to major milestones.

Balanced Economy Options (Better Speed and Tracking)

  • APG ePacket: A popular choice for e-commerce, APG ePacket offers a great balance of cost and speed. Prices start around $34, with delivery taking about 8 to 10 business days. It comes with semi tracked service, meaning you’ll only see a few status updates.
  • APG ePacket Plus: For just a little more (starting around $35), this service gives you the same 8 to 10 day transit time as the standard ePacket but with the major advantage of full end to end tracking. This provides extra peace of mind for valuable shipments.
  • Asendia e PAQ Plus: Asendia is another excellent service that balances cost with reliability. Rates begin around $39, and delivery takes between 6 to 15 business days. You get tracking at key milestones, which is more detailed than many basic economy services.
  • FedEx Cross Border Tracked: This service leverages the FedEx network for international transit and then hands the package off to a local carrier in New Zealand for final delivery. It’s a cost effective solution with prices starting around $42 and delivery times of 7 to 14 business days.

Comparing Major Carriers for Shipments to New Zealand

Sometimes, using a major carrier directly makes the most sense. Here’s how they stack up for shipping to New Zealand.

USPS: Best for Small, Lightweight Packages

For packages under 4 pounds, USPS is often a very competitive option. Their First Class Package International service is a go to for small e-commerce sellers. It’s an affordable, reliable way to send small items, though tracking can sometimes be less detailed once the package leaves the US.

UPS: A Solid Mid Range Option

UPS provides a range of services to New Zealand, from their economical UPS Worldwide Expedited to faster express options. While typically not the absolute cheapest, UPS offers reliable tracking and is a good mid‑range choice when you want a balance of speed, cost, and visibility. For a head‑to‑head comparison, see FedEx vs. UPS.

DHL Express: For Urgent Shipments

When speed is your top priority, DHL Express is one of the best. They specialize in international shipping and can often deliver a package to New Zealand in just 1 to 3 business days. This speed comes at a high cost, so it’s not the cheapest way to ship to New Zealand, but it’s perfect for urgent documents or high value goods.

Smart Strategies to Lower Your Shipping Costs

Beyond choosing the right carrier, you can use several other strategies to reduce your expenses.

Use a Rate Comparison Tool

Instead of checking each carrier’s website one by one, you can see all your options in one place. Using a free comparison site like the Online Shipping Calculator lets you enter your package details and instantly compare discounted rates from multiple carriers, helping you easily find the cheapest way to ship to New Zealand. You can also review our guide to shipping discounts to learn how to unlock commercial rates without a contract.

Air Freight vs. Sea Freight for Large Shipments

If you’re shipping something very large or heavy, like furniture or a pallet of goods, you should compare air freight and sea freight.

  • Air Freight: Faster (days) but much more expensive.
  • Sea Freight: Significantly cheaper but very slow (weeks or months).

For most parcels, air freight is the standard. But for bulk shipments, sea freight offers huge cost savings.

Consolidate Your Packages

If you are sending multiple items to the same address, it is almost always cheaper to put them all in one larger box rather than sending several small ones. This practice, known as package consolidation, can dramatically reduce your overall cost.

Choose the Right Box

  • Use Flat Rate Boxes When It Makes Sense: If you have a small but heavy item, a USPS Flat Rate Box can be a great deal since the price is the same regardless of weight. However, for light items, you’ll likely save more with a weight based service.
  • Avoid Oversized Packaging: Using a box that’s too big not only increases the risk of your item getting damaged but can also trigger higher rates due to dimensional weight. Use a box that fits your item snugly with just enough room for protective padding.

Every international shipment must clear customs. Getting this right prevents delays and unexpected fees.

Customs Clearance and Documentation

For any shipment to New Zealand, you will need to fill out a customs declaration form. This form describes the contents of the package, its value, and whether it’s a gift or merchandise. Be honest and specific. Vague descriptions like “stuff” can cause your package to be held for inspection. If you’re new to cross‑border shipping, start with our quick guide on how to ship internationally.

Understanding Duty and GST Thresholds

New Zealand has a de minimis threshold of NZ$1000. This means that if the total value of your shipment (including the cost of goods, shipping, and insurance) is NZ$1000 or less, you generally won’t have to pay any customs duty or Goods and Services Tax (GST). If the value is over NZ$1000, these fees will apply.

Delivery Times at a Glance

Here’s a quick summary of typical transit times for popular economy services to New Zealand:

  • Flat Export: 17 to 22 business days
  • APG ePacket / ePacket Plus: 8 to 10 business days
  • Asendia e PAQ Plus: 6 to 15 business days
  • FedEx Cross Border: 7 to 14 business days
  • DHL Express: 1 to 3 business days

Finding the cheapest way to ship to New Zealand is all about balancing cost and speed. By comparing services and using smart packing strategies, you can save a significant amount of money. Ready to find your best rate? Compare shipping rates online now to see how much you could save.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the absolute cheapest way to ship a small package to New Zealand?
For a small, lightweight package that isn’t urgent, a service like Flat Export is often the cheapest, with rates starting around $25. USPS First Class Package International is another strong contender for items under 4 pounds.

2. How long does economy shipping to New Zealand usually take?
Economy shipping times vary by service but generally range from 8 to 22 business days (about 2 to 4 weeks).

3. Do I have to pay customs fees when shipping to New Zealand?
You typically do not have to pay customs duty or GST if the total declared value of your shipment is under NZ$1000. For shipments valued over this amount, taxes and duties will apply.

4. Is USPS cheaper than UPS for shipping to New Zealand? (See our breakdown of which is cheaper, UPS or USPS.)
For small and light packages, USPS is usually cheaper than UPS. For larger, heavier boxes, UPS can sometimes be more competitive, so it’s always best to compare rates.

5. How can I get the best shipping rates without a business account?
The best way is to use an online shipping comparison tool. Websites like Online Shipping Calculator allow you to access discounted commercial rates that are much lower than what you would pay at a retail counter, with no account needed.

6. What is the cheapest way to ship a 10 lb box to New Zealand?
For a 10 lb box, the cheapest way to ship to New Zealand will likely be an economy service from a consolidator like Asendia or APG, or a standard service from a major carrier like USPS or UPS. Comparing quotes is essential to find the best price for that specific weight.