Cheapest & Fastest Shipping to New Zealand from the USA: A Complete Guide for eCommerce Sellers

Shipping from the USA to New Zealand can be expensive and time-consuming, especially for small and mid-sized eCommerce businesses. With rising shipping costs, longer transit times, and strict customs restrictions, finding the right balance between affordable shipping and reliable services is essential for customer satisfaction and profitability.

This guide will break down the cheapest shipping to NZ from the USA, the fastest shipping options, and cost-effective strategies to optimize international shipping while ensuring smooth customs clearance.

Top 10 Cheapest Shipping Services from the USA to New Zealand

For eCommerce businesses and individuals looking for cost-effective shipping solutions, choosing the cheapest way to ship depends on services, delivery times, and tracking options available. Below is a breakdown of the cheapest shipping options from the USA to New Zealand.

1. Flat Export

Flat Export is the most affordable shipping option to New Zealand, with rates starting at $25.82. However, the trade-off for its low cost is a long delivery time of 17-22 business days. This service offers limited tracking with basic updates, making it best for small packages that are not time-sensitive. Ideal for: Budget-conscious eCommerce sellers shipping lightweight items with minimal urgency.

2. APG - ePacket

APG - ePacket is a step up from Flat Export, offering faster delivery at 8-10 business days for a starting price of $34.10. While it remains affordable, the tracking capabilities are still limited, meaning customers will receive fewer updates about their shipment. This option works well for small businesses looking for a budget-friendly shipping solution that delivers faster than economy shipping.

3. APG - ePacket Plus

APG - ePacket Plus provides an enhanced version of the standard APG - ePacket service. It maintains the same delivery time of 8-10 business days but offers full tracking, ensuring that both the sender and recipient can monitor the package’s journey. With a starting cost of $35.24, this service is ideal for business shipments where reliability and cost-effectiveness are equally important.

4. Asendia - ePAQ Plus

Asendia - ePAQ Plus is a great balance between affordability and comprehensive tracking, making it a solid choice for eCommerce businesses. With a delivery time of 6-15 business days and prices starting at $39.69, it offers more frequent tracking updates than APG - ePacket while maintaining competitive rates. This is an excellent option for sellers who prioritize cost savings without sacrificing tracking quality.

5. FedEx Cross Border Tracked

FedEx Cross Border Tracked provides access to FedEx’s global infrastructure at a lower cost than its premium express services. Priced from $42.52, it delivers packages in 10-20 business days but offers only limited tracking. This makes it suitable for businesses already using FedEx and looking for a more budget-friendly option for non-urgent international shipments.

6. ePost Global - Priority Packet

ePost Global - Priority Packet is another affordable shipping option, starting at $43.20, with an estimated delivery time of 10-20 business days. It provides basic tracking and is slightly faster than Flat Export. This option works well for sellers looking for a cost-effective shipping solution with slightly better transit times than other economy services.

7. Asendia - Epaq Select

Asendia - Epaq Select offers full tracking and a faster delivery range of 4-9 business days, making it a great alternative for businesses that need quicker transit times. Starting at $43.64, it provides reliable business shipments with better tracking than most low-cost international shipping services. This is a solid choice for sellers who need an affordable mid-tier shipping method.

8. USPS - First Class International

USPS - First Class International is one of the most widely used USA shipping services for small parcels. With prices beginning at $46.41, it delivers within 5-11 business days. However, it only includes limited tracking, making it less suitable for high-value items. Sellers who prefer the United States Postal Service (USPS) and want an affordable shipping method with moderate delivery speeds will find this a reliable choice.

9. GlobalPost - Economy

GlobalPost - Economy is another budget shipping option, with prices starting at $49.04 and a delivery time of 10-15 business days. The basic tracking makes it less ideal for time-sensitive shipments, but it remains an excellent choice for sellers shipping low-value products where cost is the primary concern.

10. JPS Worldwide Expedited

JPS Worldwide Expedited is the fastest option among the cheapest shipping services, with delivery times of 7 business days. It starts at $50.14 and includes advanced tracking, making it a great choice for urgent shipments that still need to be cost-effective. Unlike some lower-cost options, JPS Worldwide Expedited offers more reliable tracking and faster delivery, making it suitable for businesses prioritizing speed and security.

Here’s a table highlighting the indicative rates for a 2-pound shipment from Rochester, New York, to Wellington, New Zealand.

To easily compare rates and features across multiple carriers, you can use Easyship’s shipping rate calculator.

Fastest Shipping Options to New Zealand & When to Use Them

For urgent business shipments, express shipping methods can deliver in 1-5 business days, though they cost more. Here’s a comparison of the fastest options available:

Why Shipping to New Zealand Can Be Expensive & Time-Consuming

New Zealand is over 6,500 miles from the United States, making USA shipping costly and requiring a longer shipping timeline. Unlike domestic shipments, international shipping requires additional logistics, customs processing, and delivery timeline variations due to air freight or ocean transit.

Factors That Impact Shipping Costs and Delivery Times

• Distance & Fuel Costs – The farther a package travels, the more expensive it is to ship. Air freight costs contribute significantly to shipping costs.
• Customs Clearance – Shipments must go through New Zealand's customs regulations, which can result in delays if customs forms are incomplete.
• Dimensional Weight Pricing – Many couriers charge based on weight and size rather than just weight alone, making small packages in large boxes more expensive.
• Chosen Carrier – Express courier services like FedEx and DHL offer faster delivery at higher prices, while United States Postal Service (USPS) provides cost-effective economy options.

Example: A Shopify store shipping a 2 lb package to New Zealand in a large box may pay more than shipping a 5 lb compact package due to dimensional weight pricing.

Related Post: eCommerce Guide to Selling and Shipping to New Zealand

Understanding New Zealand’s Customs Regulations

Prohibited Items & Strict Customs Restrictions

New Zealand has very strict customs restrictions to protect agriculture and public safety.

• Agricultural items (seeds, soil, untreated wood)
• Toxic elements (hazardous chemicals, lithium batteries)
• Objectionable material (certain computer games, offensive content)

Customs Clearance & Duties

• Shipments valued over NZD $1,000 are subject to duties and GST (15%).
• Incomplete customs forms may cause delays in customs clearance.

To avoid issues with customs clearance, you can use Easyship’s tax and duties calculator to automate the customs process.

How Easyship Helps You Compare Rates & Save on Shipping

Easyship simplifies the shipping process by offering:

• Discounted rates with up to 91% savings
• A smart shipping solution to compare competitive rates
• Automated customs clearance documentation
• Reliable tracking for full shipment visibility

Final Thoughts: Choosing the Best Way to Ship to New Zealand

Finding the cheapest way to ship depends on cost, delivery timeline, and tracking needs.

• Cheapest shipping solution – Flat Export ($25.82, 17-22 days)
• Best value – APG - ePacket Plus ($35.24, 8-10 days, tracking included)
• Fastest – FedEx International Priority (1-3 days, premium price)

For significant savings, compare rates using Easyship and optimize your USA shipping strategy today.

Ready to simplify and save on shipping?
Easyship is here to help.

Easyship was built to simplify shipping for eCommerce sellers of every size. If you’re looking for ways to save on shipping costs, compare rates, automate fulfillment, or grow internationally—our free shipping tools and smart dashboard can save you hours daily.

Simplify shipping to New Zealand with our range of tools:

• Tax & Duties Calculator: Create an estimate of your customs duties and import taxes for every country and retail category.
• Country Import Rules: Understand the individual import rules, requirements, and restrictions for every country with our helpful guides.
• HS Code Lookup Tool: Search for the correct HS/HST Code for international orders with our universal HS Code Lookup Tool.‍
• Shipping Policy Generator: A clear and enticing shipping policy is a sales tool for stores, setting clear expectations and building trust with prospective customers.
  

Join our community of eCommerce sellers and get started with Easyship for free today.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Shipping to New Zealand

1. What is the cheapest way to ship a package from the USA to New Zealand?

The most affordable shipping option is Flat Export, starting at $25.82 with limited tracking and a delivery time of 17-22 business days. For a faster cost-effective solution, APG - ePacket Plus ($35.24, 8-10 business days) offers full tracking, making it better for business shipments.

2. How long does shipping from the USA to New Zealand take?

Economy shipping takes 10-22 business days, standard shipping takes 5-10 days, and express services like FedEx International Priority (1-3 days) or DHL Express (1-4 days) are the fastest. Choosing the right shipping method depends on urgency, budget, and tracking needs.

3. Are there any restrictions on what I can ship to New Zealand?

New Zealand has strict customs regulations, prohibiting agricultural items, toxic materials, and certain computer games. Items like seeds, untreated wood, and hazardous chemicals are restricted. Always check customs requirements and your chosen carrier’s regulations to avoid shipment rejections or customs delays.

4. How can I avoid customs delays when shipping to New Zealand?

To prevent customs clearance delays, accurately complete customs forms, ensure items comply with New Zealand’s import laws, and verify whether duties or GST (15%) apply to shipments over NZD $1,000. Using Easyship’s tax and duties calculator helps ensure smooth processing and compliance.

5. How do I compare the best shipping rates for my package?

To find the cheapest or fastest shipping option, use a shipping rate calculator like Easyship, which compares rates from multiple couriers, offers discounted prices, and provides real-time delivery estimates. This ensures you choose the most cost-effective and reliable shipping service. 

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