Australia and New Zealand transit times
| Destination | Main ports | Typical transit |
|---|---|---|
| Australia, east coast | Sydney (Port Botany), Melbourne, Brisbane | 35–45 days |
| Australia, west and south | Fremantle, Adelaide | 32–42 days |
| New Zealand | Auckland, Tauranga, Lyttelton, Port Chalmers | 40–50 days |
| Pacific Islands | Suva, Nouméa, Apia and others | 45–60 days |
Indicative ranges. Most services tranship at Singapore, Colombo or another hub, and routing via Suez or the Cape changes the timing.
Trade agreements
The UK's free trade agreements with Australia and New Zealand both came into force on 31 May 2023, removing duty on most goods that meet the rules of origin, in both directions. Australia and New Zealand are also CPTPP partners.
Biosecurity: the strictest rules on any trade
Australia and New Zealand protect their agriculture with some of the strictest import controls in the world. Before your goods ship, check:
- Packing declarations: a statement about the packaging and dunnage used, needed for most shipments
- Timber packaging: pallets and crates must be ISPM 15 treated and marked, or certified as non-timber
- Cleanliness: containers and goods must be free of soil, seeds and insects. Used machinery and vehicles need thorough cleaning
- Seasonal pest measures: extra treatment rules apply to some goods from many European countries during the brown marmorated stink bug season, roughly September to April
- Fumigation or treatment certificates: needed for some goods and packaging
A shipment that fails biosecurity checks can be treated, re-exported or destroyed at your cost, so it's worth getting right before the container leaves.
What moves on this trade
UK exports include machinery, vehicles and parts, food and drink, pharmaceuticals, household goods and personal effects. Imports include wine, meat and dairy products, wool and specialist foods.