E-commerce international shipping should be a growth lever, not a logistical migraine. Yet for many Kiwi businesses, sending orders across the ditch or beyond often means hitting a wall of paperwork, price hikes, and courier comparison tabs you forgot to close.
Whether you’re shipping from Auckland to Adelaide, or Napier to New York, the opportunity is clear: international customers want what you’re selling.
But the execution is where many e-commerce sellers get stuck. You’re not alone if the idea of customs forms, duties, or surprise rural surcharges has you Googling “what does DDU mean” at 11pm.
It doesn’t have to be this complicated — or expensive. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to set up international shipping for your e-commerce business the smart way:
- How to avoid common cost traps (like volumetric weight surprises)
- Which international couriers actually work for Kiwi senders
- What customs paperwork you need to worry about (and what you don’t)
- Why a multi-courier tool like Zappy makes scaling globally much easier, especially if you’re using a 3PL
Whether you’re just getting started with trans-Tasman orders or looking to streamline global fulfilment, you’ll learn how to ship smarter, faster, and with fewer headaches.
Zappy is free to use with no setup fees or subscriptions. Get started now.
Why international shipping is so tricky for NZ sellers
Let’s be honest — New Zealand isn’t exactly next door to… anything. That distance makes us unique, but it also makes international shipping harder, slower, and more expensive than it needs to be for e-commerce businesses.
Unlike sellers in the US or Europe, Kiwi retailers are working from the edge of the global fulfilment map.
Most international logistics networks are built for densely packed, high-volume trade routes — not for shipping clothing from Christchurch to California or art from Wellington to Wellington, Florida.
That remoteness brings a perfect storm of pain points:
- Zone-based pricing: You’ll often pay more for the same shipment, just because you’re further away.
- Rural surcharges: Even domestic couriers like NZ Post or Aramex add fees for off-the-beaten-track delivery zones — and that logic often extends internationally.
- Timezone gaps and tracking black holes: With delays in scan events and offshore processing, your customers may go days without updates. Cue the “Where’s my order?” emails.
- Customs delays: Even simple items can get caught up in red tape if declarations are incomplete or mislabelled.
- No time to optimise: Most small e-commerce teams don’t have capacity to negotiate rates with five different couriers — let alone integrate them all into their systems.
This friction doesn’t just cost money, it can cost trust. That’s why modern e-commerce sellers are turning to delivery management platforms that centralise, simplify and automate the whole process.
How international shipping costs stack up — and how to lower them
If international shipping feels expensive, it’s because it usually is. But for many NZ e-commerce sellers, the real problem isn’t the cost — it’s the invisible cost traps hidden in packaging, paperwork, and courier pricing models.
Here’s where most businesses leak money (and how to fix it).
Volumetric weight traps
If you’ve ever been shocked by a courier bill for a lightweight order, this is probably why.
Most international couriers charge based on whichever is greater: the parcel’s actual weight or its volumetric weight — which is how much space it takes up in the plane or van. That means a t-shirt in an oversized shoebox might get charged like it’s a pillow.
You can calculate volumetric weight like this:
(Length × Width × Height in cm) ÷ 5000 = Volumetric weight in kg
For example:
A 5kg parcel measuring 60 × 40 × 30 cm has a volumetric weight of 14.4kg.
That’s nearly triple what you expected to pay.
With Zappy, you can avoid this and calculate shipping costs effortlessly.
Our platform learns from your past orders and recommends the right-sized packaging for each product — so you don’t waste money shipping air.
Customs and duties missteps
Even seasoned e-commerce sellers trip up here. Every country has its own rules, codes, and thresholds, and mislabelled items or missing declarations can mean delays, returns, or unexpected charges for your customer.
If you're DIYing this, you’re on the hook for:
- Choosing the correct Harmonised System (HS) code
- Filling out country-specific customs forms
- Knowing when duties and GST apply (e.g. NZ’s $1000 export entry threshold)
Zappy removes that risk.
Our system automates the generation of customs documents, applies the right HS codes, and flags any extra requirements based on destination — so your shipments clear faster, and your customers stay happy.
Not comparing rates = wasted budget
Courier prices aren’t static. They change by zone, fuel cost, demand, and even season. And if you’re still checking three courier websites manually, you’re probably paying more than you should.
With Zappy, you can compare discounted rates from a range of trusted couriers — including FedEx, EMS, DHL, Post Haste, Aramex, SF Express, and Asendia — and choose the cheapest or fastest option for each order at the time you’re sending.
Our rate engine takes into account:
- Parcel size and weight
- Destination country and zone
- Delivery urgency (standard vs express)
This saves you from having to track everything manually to make sure you’re not overpaying. It’s the smarter way to ship internationally.
Zappy helps you ship globally without the headaches
Zappy brings the tools, couriers, and automation you need into one simple platform that’s free to use, with no monthly fees.
Whether you're shipping NZ to Australia, the US, or further abroad, Zappy makes international fulfilment easier, faster, and less stressful for small and scaling e-commerce businesses.
One platform for all your couriers
Sick of logging into five different courier portals? Zappy gives you access to full rates from international couriers like NZ Post, Aramex, Post Haste, TNT, FedEx, DHL, and Asendia within one dashboard.
Book shipments, print labels, track orders in real time, and lodge claims without bouncing between tabs or remembering who you booked with last week.
Zappy is free to use
Zappy is 100% free to use.
Whether you’re shipping 3 orders a week or 300 a month, you only pay for what you ship. This makes Zappy ideal for lean teams, side hustles, and rapidly growing e-commerce stores that want pro-level tools without a big overhead.
Branded experience, global reach
International shipping shouldn’t mean sacrificing your brand’s voice or your control of the customer experience.
With Zappy, you can customise your email and SMS order tracking updates with your logo and brand voice — so customers stay informed and associate the delivery experience with your business, not just the courier.
It’s thoughtful touches like this that build trust and reduce “where’s my order?” messages that quickly soak up you and your team’s time.
Integrations that just work
Zappy connects seamlessly with major e-commerce order platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and even marketplaces like TradeMe, so your orders import automatically and tracking updates flow back to your customers — no copy-pasting or manual uploads.
Local support from real people
International shipping is hard enough without waiting days for a reply from a faceless overseas support team.
With Zappy, you get a local NZ-based team who understand how Kiwi businesses ship.
You can pick up the phone and talk to someone who knows the difference between North Island and South Island lead times — and who won’t make you explain what TradeMe is.
Our team is multilingual, too, so if you’re a Chinese-speaking business owner working with local 3PLs, we’re here to make it easier for you and your customers.
“Excellent customer service – this is critical, they sort problems out immediately. Initial training on the system was very helpful, and I find the process easy. I want to make my customers happy – their service helps that to happen. Three words to describe Zappy: Reliable. Fast. Friendly." – Sue Motorcycle gears
International e-commerce shipping FAQs
What’s the cheapest way to ship internationally from NZ?
Using a shipping aggregator like Zappy is one of the most cost-effective ways to ship internationally. Rather than locking into a single courier’s pricing model, Zappy lets you compare the best rates from multiple carriers (including NZ Post, DHL, Aramex, FedEx, and Asendia) — and select the best option for each parcel based on weight, size, destination and urgency. You’ll also reduce costs by avoiding common packaging and customs mistakes that add up quickly.
Do I need a courier account to use Zappy?
No. Zappy manages all courier relationships, accounts, and billing on your behalf. You don’t need to sign contracts, meet volume thresholds, or prepay for credits — you just book and ship.
Can I get international tracking with Zappy?
Yes, most of Zappy’s international courier partners support live parcel tracking with real-time updates via email or SMS. You can also customise the tracking experience with your logo and brand voice, so your customers stay informed and your brand stays visible post-purchase.
How do I simplify customs declarations?
Zappy automates your customs paperwork. Non-document consignments require a customs declaration (e.g. a CN22 or CN23 form) and HS code. Zappy helps you:
- Generate the right documentation
- Assign correct harmonised codes
- Avoid common issues that cause clearance delays
- Handle export entry declarations when required (e.g. for shipments over NZD $1000)
What are volumetric shipping charges — and how can I avoid them?
Couriers charge based on the greater of actual weight or volumetric weight. A bulky but lightweight item (like a pillow) may cost more than you expect.
Use this formula to calculate volumetric weight:
(L × W × H in cm) ÷ 5000 = volumetric weight in kg
Zappy helps you avoid overpaying by suggesting right-sized packaging based on your product data and past shipments.
Are there weight limits when shipping internationally?
Yes. Most Zappy couriers allow a maximum of 30kg per item, with a total consignment weight of up to 500kg. You can still send multiple parcels under one shipment — Zappy’s system will handle the consolidation.
What about rural or remote areas?
Some couriers (like Post Haste or Aramex) may apply rural surcharges for deliveries within NZ and overseas. Zappy provides you with all charges and taxes so you’re not caught out — and can help you find alternate couriers with better regional coverage.
Do I need to worry about the NZ export entry fee?
Only if your shipment is valued over NZD $1000. In that case, a formal export entry must be filed with NZ Customs — and a $14.25 fee (incl. GST) applies. Zappy handles this automatically where required. No margin is added to the fee.
Can I ship from my 3PL with Zappy?
Yes. Many Zappy users are NZ-based businesses who store their inventory with third-party logistics (3PL) providers. Zappy integrates with your e-commerce platform (like Shopify or WooCommerce), allowing your 3PL to manage shipping through your Zappy dashboard — while you maintain full visibility and control.
I’m a Chinese-speaking business owner — is support available in Mandarin?
Yes. Zappy has bilingual local support staff fluent in English and Mandarin. Whether you're based in Auckland, Christchurch, or using a 3PL to manage NZ exports, our team can help you set up, manage shipments, and resolve issues quickly — without a language barrier or ticket backlog.
Can I use Zappy if I’m just starting out?
Absolutely. Zappy is designed for scaling e-commerce businesses, whether you’re shipping 3 parcels a week or 300 a day. There are no minimum volumes, and you can use it as your business grows with access to the same tools and rates as larger sellers.
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