NZ projects buy from China on FOB terms and clear through Auckland or Tauranga in 18–22 days. The step that catches buyers out is biosecurity, not customs: MPI checks timber packaging and solid wood components, and non-compliant packaging can be treated, re-exported or destroyed. Confirm ISPM 15 compliance before the container is packed.
AS/NZS 4386 is the relevant unit standard; E0 or E1 board is common.
MPI biosecurity checks timber packaging; ISPM 15 compliance is not optional.
GST at import is 15%, usually recoverable but a cash-flow item.
Transit is 18–22 days to Auckland or Tauranga; inland distance decides the port.
Packaging queries, not duty, cause most NZ delays.
1. What NZ buyers actually verify
NZ buyers verify the unit standard, board grade and packaging compliance. AS/NZS 4386 is the reference for units; E0 or E1 board is common; and MPI biosecurity is the gate that decides whether the container moves. A factory that has shipped to Australia usually understands the last point, because the rules are similar.
2. Four sourcing routes compared
| Route | What you buy | Lead time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct factory FOB | Custom cabinets to your spec | 16 weeks | Townhouse and apartment projects |
| NZ importer stock | Standard sizes from a local warehouse | 2–4 weeks | Small jobs and fill-ins |
| Local distributor | Branded cabinets, installed | 6–8 weeks | Single dwellings and retail |
| Hybrid | Factory boxes, local fronts | 12–14 weeks | Design-led projects |
Direct FOB is cheapest per unit above about 25 units, but it puts biosecurity and packaging compliance on you.
3. Five documents to request before deposit
Board emission report and board supplier name
ISPM 15 mark on timber packaging, or a declaration that no solid wood is used
Hardware specification with model numbers
Shop drawing sample for one typical unit
Pre-shipment inspection scope and checklist
The packaging declaration is the one to get in writing. A verbal assurance is not enough when MPI is holding the container.
4. Where the money goes per unit
| Cost line | Share of landed cost |
|---|---|
| Factory price | 58–68% |
| Freight and insurance | 8–12% |
| Duty | 0–5% |
| Clearance and delivery | 5–8% |
| Installation | 12–18% |
GST sits outside the table because it is usually recoverable. The line that surprises buyers is biosecurity treatment, which can add cost and a week.
5. Shipping and clearance into NZ
| Port | Best for | Transit |
|---|---|---|
| Auckland | Upper North Island | 18–22 days |
| Tauranga | Waikato, Bay of Plenty | 18–22 days |
| Lyttelton | South Island | 20–24 days |
MPI clearance is usually one to three days for a clean container. A packaging query can add a week and may require treatment. Keep the ISPM 15 evidence with the shipping documents.
6. Installation and defect management
NZ installation is usually subcontracted and sites are smaller than in Australia or the US. Stage deliveries to match the build, because storage is limited. Photograph damaged cartons before opening, and keep a spares pack per unit type for later replacement.
7. Vetting a factory in 12 checks
Business and export licence
Board emission report
ISPM 15 packaging evidence
Hardware brand authorisation
Shop drawing capability
Edge banding line
Packing standard
Container loading photos
NZ or AU shipment references
Inspection history
Lead time record
After-sales response
8. A schedule that holds
| Week | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1–2 | Drawings, approval, deposit |
| 3–9 | Production and in-line checks |
| 10 | Pre-shipment inspection |
| 11 | Loading and export clearance |
| 12–14 | Sea freight to NZ port |
| 15 | MPI and customs clearance |
| 16 | Installation and snagging |
The schedule is tight but workable. The risk sits in week 11, when packaging is inspected, not in production.
9. Common mistakes on a first shipment
Three mistakes show up on almost every first shipment. The first is a certificate that names the factory but not the board grade. The second is a quote that leaves out GST and any biosecurity treatment. The third is a drawing approved after production starts, which moves every later date. Each is cheap to prevent and expensive to fix.
10. What to put in the purchase order
The purchase order should state the board grade, hardware model, door finish, packing standard and inspection scope. It should also name the Incoterm, the port and the party responsible for AS/NZS compliance. A PO that lists only sizes and colours leaves the important terms to interpretation. Attach the hardware specification and the packaging standard as annexes.
11. Lead time and cash
Most factories ask for 30% deposit and the balance before loading. That means cash leaves your account roughly ten weeks before the container arrives. Model the working capital, not just the unit price, and hold back a retention until the pre-shipment inspection is signed off. The landed cost guide shows how to include the financing cost.
12. A worked example
Take a 60-unit apartment kitchen with a cabinet value of about $180,000 FOB. Freight adds 8–12%, GST and any biosecurity treatment adds its share, and installation adds 10–18% of the installed cost. The factory price is roughly two-thirds of the landed total; everything else is the route. Two ports can move the same cabinet by several hundred dollars per unit, which is why the route decision should come before the factory negotiation. Run the numbers in the landed cost guide before asking for a second factory quote.
Frequently asked questions
What standard applies to cabinets in New Zealand?
AS/NZS 4386 is the relevant unit standard, and board is usually specified as E0 or E1. Ask for a test report naming the board grade and confirm the standard the project specifies.
Why does biosecurity matter for cabinets?
MPI checks timber packaging and any solid wood components for pests. Non-compliant packaging can be treated, re-exported or destroyed at the importer cost, so ISPM 15 compliance is not optional.
Is ISPM 15 required for flat-pack cabinets?
It applies to solid wood packaging and dunnage, not to processed board. If the crate or pallet uses timber, it needs the ISPM 15 mark. Confirm with the factory before packing.
How much GST do I pay?
GST is 15% on the customs value plus duty and freight. It is usually recoverable if you are GST-registered, but it affects cash flow at import.
Which port should I use?
Auckland for the upper North Island, Tauranga for Waikato and Bay of Plenty, Lyttelton for the South Island. Transit is similar, so inland distance decides.
How long does MPI clearance take?
A clean container is usually cleared in one to three days. A packaging query can add a week and may require treatment or re-export.
