New Zealand Overview
Air Terminals
- Air NZ and Menzies remain operational, however peak-period congestion may cause delays.
- Busiest periods continue to be Mondays all day, and mid-morning to early afternoon during the week.
- Export operations at Air NZ and Menzies remain fully functional, with no major service issues reported.
Landside
- Port of Auckland VBS Increase 1st January 2026. Fees for on-peak bookings are set to increase by 38%. Fees for off-peak bookings will increase by 53%.
- Increase in VBS charges for Christchurch effect 01 February 2026
Customs Update
- 2026 has already introduced new complexities to global trade, from escalating cyber- related risks to unpredictable regional port delays. While freight rates are stabilizing, the value of your cargo shouldn’t be left to chance. Standard carrier liability often falls short, covering only a fraction of true cargo value.
- We are proud to offer all-risk cargo insurance at highly competitive rates, ensuring you are protected from origin to final destination. Don’t wait for a disruption to realise the gap in your coverage.
- BMSB Seasonal Measures will apply to targeted goods manufactured in, or shipped from, target risk countries (shipped between 1st September 2025 to the 30th April 2026 inclusive).
- The new levy structure will take effect on 1 April 2026. It modernises our goods cost recovery framework, and also makes the way we recover costs fairer for levy payers and for taxpayers. It allows Customs and MPI to recover the costs of managing goods crossing our border. Customs Goods Management Levies announced in March 2025.
- Customs are increasing X-Rays inspections of containers arriving into NZ. Containers arriving into Tauranga, with rail to Metro Port have experienced additional delays of 1-4 days release to rail.
Air Freight Update
North America
Imports
- Rates remain generally stable, though spot pricing may apply for urgent or late bookings.
- Peak-season congestion is impacting several gateways, particularly LAX, where consol delays of up to 5–7 days can occur.
- Capacity into AKL is relatively stable, supported by seasonal services, though most flights are operating near full load.
- Late bookings remain at high risk of rolling, particularly for standard consol freight.
- Increased TSA and export screening activity continues, causing occasional processing delays —
especially for electronics, DG, automotive parts and high-value goods. - Weather-related disruptions are increasingly likely heading into the US winter period (Dec– Feb), impacting LAX, ORD and JFK.
- Direct services are performing more reliably than tranship routings, which may face additional handling delays during peak.
Exports
- Consols ex-NZ are moving as booked, with adequate uplift on most carriers.
- Direct NZ–USA services remain the most reliable option.
- Transhipments within the US may experience extended transit windows due to seasonal congestion and winter weather.
Europe
Imports
- Strong demand and constrained capacity into Auckland continue across the UK/EU–NZ trade lane, especially ex LHR, FRA, AMS and CDG.
- Space remains limited, with airlines selectively reducing allocations or prioritising high-yield cargo during peak weeks.
- Transit delays of 1–3 days may occur as carriers adjust routings or manage congestion through Asia and the Middle East.
- China-routed and Asia-tranship consolidations continue to experience backlogs and extended transit times.
- DG, oversize, loose-loaded and special-handling cargo are facing longer acceptance and approval windows.
- Operational pressure across Middle East and Asian hubs may impact planned ETDs/ETAs.
- Early bookings and flexible routings (via MEL / SYD / CHC) remain strongly recommended.
- Rates may adjust weekly based on capacity, fuel, and tranship congestion.
- Limited uplift and cancellations expected from mid-December through early January.
Exports
- Consols are moving as booked via key tranship hubs (SIN, HKG, BKK, DXB).
- Transit times remain generally consistent, though congestion through Asia/ME hubs may cause minor delays.
- Rates remain stable
- High-volume periods may impact connection priority for standard general cargo
Asia
Imports
- Consols are generally moving as booked, with stable capacity ex SYD, MEL, BNE and PER.
- Minor delays may occur around weekend cut-offs and peak SYD–AKL departure windows.
- Holiday-period congestion and reduced staffing are expected from mid-December through early January.
- Rates remain steady, with only minor fuel or terminal charge adjustments anticipated.
- Higher load factors into AKL and CHC mean last-minute space is increasingly limited.
- Airlines continue to prioritise express and time-critical cargo, increasing the risk of standard consol rollovers during peak weeks.
- Best practice: Book early, confirm final uplift dates, and ensure accurate weights, dimensions and commodity details.
Exports
- Consols ex AKL/CHC are generally moving as booked with solid uplift.
- Some capacity tightening expected in the final pre-Christmas window.
- Rates remain stable.
Trans-Tasman
Imports
- Consols are generally moving as booked, with stable capacity ex SYD, MEL, BNE and PER.
- Minor delays may occur around weekend cut-offs and peak SYD–AKL departure windows.
- Holiday-period congestion and reduced staffing are expected from mid-December through early January.
- Rates remain steady, with only minor fuel or terminal charge adjustments anticipated.
- Higher load factors into AKL and CHC mean last-minute space is increasingly limited.
- Airlines continue to prioritise express and time-critical cargo, increasing the risk of standard consol rollovers during peak weeks.
- Best practice: Book early, confirm final uplift dates, and ensure accurate weights, dimensions and commodity details.
Exports
- Consols ex AKL/CHC are generally moving as booked with solid uplift.
- Some capacity tightening expected in the final pre-Christmas window.
- Rates remain stable.
Ocean Freight Update
Asia
Import
- Most countries in Asia are open through the Christmas period, so everything operates as usual through that period, with offices only closing a day or two over the (calendar) New Year period.
- Most Chinese suppliers have one eye on the Lunar New Year holidays from 17 February. We will likely see pressure coming on space again from mid-January.
- 2026 is shaping up to be a stronger year, economically, which may put more pressure on space from Asia, as demand grows. At this point the shipping lines have all indicated there will be no consistent additional capacity or services added to the market. We would encourage all importers to consider this when planning for 2026, as it could lead to an extended/sharper peak season.
Export
- Some Carriers are still experiencing transhipment delays in Singapore.
- Space has eased but vessels are often still fully booked 2+ weeks in advance, we encourage you to make bookings in advance where possible.
Trans-Tasman
Import
20’ containers are still in short supply across Australia. Please speak with your Key Account Manager for options.
Export
All NZ export services have immediate availability.
Europe
The Suez Canal is undergoing a phased and cautious reopening following over two years of severe disruption caused by regional conflict and Houthi attacks. While the waterway was never officially closed to all traffic, major container lines that had diverted around Africa are now beginning to test the route again.
Import
- Our LCL service from Germany, Belgium and Netherlands will return to via Panama routing in January which will improve the transit time by 2 weeks.
- We have seen increased customs inspections from European ports particularly on cargo with any military connection.
- Vessels are off window arriving into Europe from the Cape of Good Hope. On time arrivals are as low as 21%. This is causing the weekly schedules to be disrupted.
Export
- Due to increased imports from China to the Middle East many carriers are experiencing heavy demand and space has tightened.
- Vessels are strongly booked; we encourage making bookings 3 weeks in advance.
- European ports congestion has eased slightly.
North America
US Terminal Operations
- Vancouver – no berthing delays. Import rail dwell average has reduced to 2.8 days.
- Panama Canal services for ANP/OC1 service – Space is readily accessible; we do
encourage that bookings are placed in 2+ weeks in advance of departure. - New York – no berthing delays. Import rail dwell time has reduced to 0.5 days.
- Norfolk – berthing delays of 21 hours, import dwell time has increased to 2.97 days. Charleston – no berthing delays, import dwell has increased to 5.8 days.
Savannah – average wait time for a berth has decreased to 1.7 days, import dwell time has increased to 5.6 days, - Rail dwell time is 1.3 days.
- Houston – no waiting time for a berth. Import dwell time is 3.7 days.
- Oakland – no berthing delays, however 1 crane remains out of service. Average import delivery timeframe is
running at 4 days. - Seattle – no berthing delays. Rail import dwell time remains at 3 days.
- Long Beach – Congestion on port has not improved with delays of 4-8 days.
Import
- The introduction of the Eagle Service will be from Sydney on the Northbound legs in mid-February, with the first Southbound voyages not occurring until mid-late March (arriving in NZ in April).
- No major issues or challenges from the USA or Canada at this point.
Export
- MSC’s Eagle service commences in February with the first vessel, Etoile, departing Wellington February 16th and Tauranga February 18th.
- West Coast North America – the direct service to West Coast of the US & Canada is seeing a drop off in demand, the Vancouver calling vessels remain at capacity. There is a blank sailing in week 5, after the departure of the Mate 602N (Jan 22) the next departure for Seattle is not until Feb 12th.
Customer Advisory
For more specific information / requirements please ask your Harders NZ Key Account Manager.
We will continue to evaluate all market options and work with you to provide individual solutions for your business.