We are continuing to monitor shipping, customs, and freight market developments affecting New Zealand supply chains. While major terminals are generally operating as normal, customers should expect ongoing pressure from fuel-related cost increases, selected capacity constraints, customs intervention, and some schedule disruption across both air and ocean freight.
New Zealand Operations – Stable Core Network with Some Cost and Service Pressure
Major air terminals across New Zealand are operating normally for both imports and exports. Landside conditions remain manageable, but export shipments are facing higher delivery costs due to conflict-related fuel increases, weekly fuel adjustment factor changes, weather-related disruption, and equipment pressure in some parts of the network.
Customs Update – Compliance Requirements and Increased Intervention
New Zealand Customs continues to require freight and insurance charges to be shown on commercial invoices for CIF, CFR, DAP, CPT, CIP, and DDP shipments. Border intervention has also increased, including container
X-rays, supervised unpacks, and other checks at major ports, which may create additional delays and extra handling, administration, or storage costs.
Customers should also note the continuation of BMSB seasonal measures, the new goods levy structure now in effect, and additional release delays for containers moving through Tauranga and MetroPort due to expanded X-ray inspections.
We also offer all-risk cargo insurance at competitive rates, helping protect shipments from origin through to final destination.
Air Freight – Mixed Conditions Across Lanes
Air freight conditions remain mixed by trade lane. Imports are generally moving, although some delays of up to 48 hours continue from Europe and selected transhipment points, and larger shipments may take longer to secure.
Export capacity is more constrained on some lanes, particularly to North America, while parts of Asia and Trans-Tasman are seeing rising rates, tighter space, aircraft changes, and fuel surcharge increases.
Notable developments include stronger Emirates freighter support into Europe, a likely post-holiday booking surge and rate pressure from China, and ongoing fuel surcharge implementation across Trans-Tasman carriers.
Customers should continue to book early where timing is critical.
Ocean Freight – Capacity Tightness, Transhipment Disruption and Routing Changes
Ocean freight conditions remain under pressure across several trade lanes. Key issues include tightening
post-holiday capacity from Asia, frequent transhipment rollovers in South East Asia and Singapore, peak-season space pressure for exports, and continuing fuel-related surcharge risk linked to oil price volatility.
Important developments include MSC removing New Zealand port calls from its Wallaby service and pausing new Asia to New Zealand bookings on that service, stable but equipment-tight Trans-Tasman conditions, congestion across major European ports, and strengthening demand for North America services.
Customers should place bookings early, especially for reefer cargo, North Asia, Europe, and North America.
Outlook – Continued Volatility Across Freight and Border Activity
Overall, New Zealand supply chains remain functional, but customers should plan for ongoing volatility in fuel-related charges, selective capacity constraints, customs delays, and changing service patterns.
There is no single network-wide disruption, but conditions remain fluid enough that shipment planning, documentation accuracy, and early booking continue to be critical.
Key Takeaways for Customers
- Expect continued volatility in fuel surcharges and selected freight rates.
- Ensure commercial invoices include freight and insurance charges where required for customs clearance.
- Allow extra time for customs intervention, X-ray inspections, and selected transhipment delays.
- Book early for time-sensitive or capacity-constrained air and ocean shipments.
- Maintain flexibility in routing and shipment timing where possible.
- Consider all-risk cargo insurance to help protect shipments from origin through to final destination.
- Port of Auckland will be increasing there VBS starting the 1st July
We will continue to monitor developments closely and provide further updates as conditions evolve. If you have any shipments, you would like reviewed, please contact your usual Harders representative.
Thank you for your continued partnership.