When Showtime FMX, sponsored by REPCO Australia, needed their promotional Chevrolet C10 ute and event equipment shipped from Brisbane to New Zealand, they called on Jacanna Global Logistics. The cargo was heading to the V8 Supercars events in Taupo and Christchurch – and it was no ordinary shipment.
A Big Job From the Brisbane Branch
The Jacanna team in Brisbane managed the entire operation end-to-end. The shipment weighed in at 26,450kg across 143.5 cubic metres, comprising a low-loader trailer and a 40-foot Custom Shipper Owned container. Inside? A showstopping promotional Chevy C10 ute and all the event equipment needed for 2 of New Zealand’s biggest motorsport events.
Getting this across the Tasman required careful planning, the right shipping method, and expert handling of complex customs documentation.
RORO Vehicle Shipping: The Right Method for the Job
For a shipment of this size and nature, Roll-on/Roll-off (RORO) vehicle shipping was the clear choice. Roll on roll off vessel services are purpose-built for wheeled cargo – vehicles and trailers are driven directly onto the ship at the departure port and driven off at the destination, without the need for cranes or containers.
RORO rates for vehicles are typically more cost-effective than container shipping for larger wheeled cargo, and the method is well-suited to oversized loads like low-loader trailers. For this project, the Brisbane branch coordinated RORO vehicle shipping services from Brisbane to New Zealand, working closely with the Jacanna NZ team to ensure seamless handling at both ends.
Managing the Carnet Temporary Import Documentation
One of the more complex elements of this movement was the carnet documentation. Because the promotional rig was travelling to New Zealand temporarily – for the V8 Supercars events only – it needed to be covered under both an ATA Carnet and a CPD Carnet.
An ATA Carnet is an international customs document that allows goods to be temporarily exported and imported across borders without attracting duties or taxes. Often called a “passport for goods”, it’s commonly used for commercial equipment, promotional assets, and event gear travelling internationally on a short-term basis.
The ATA Carnet covered the Chevy C10 and all other event goods. The CPD Carnet (Carnet de Passages en Douane) covered the temporary import of the trailer, allowing it to travel on New Zealand roads on its Australian registration. Together, this documentation allowed everything to cross the New Zealand border, attend both race events, and return to Australia without unnecessary duties or delays.
The Jacanna Brisbane branch handled all carnet management in-house, alongside customs clearance in both Australia and New Zealand.
The Details
Coordinating a shipment of this complexity across two countries requires logistics expertise and strong communication. The Brisbane branch worked hand-in-hand with the Jacanna NZ team to manage local transport arrangements at the New Zealand end, including insurance assistance with hiring a tractor unit so Showtime FMX could move between Taupo and Christchurch seamlessly.
Once both V8 Supercars events were complete, the trailer, container, and all promotional assets were returned to Brisbane via RORO, with customs clearance and final delivery completed without a hitch.
Tricky Logistics Project? We Can Help.
Whether it’s vehicle shipping logistics, promotional vehicle transport, or any complex temporary export movement, this project is a great example of what the Jacanna Global Logistics team does best. Our teams make even the most complex cross-border movements look straightforward, vehicle shipping to carnet management and everything in between.
Need to ship a vehicle or event equipment across the Tasman? Want to learn more about Carnet? Curious about the RORO vehicle fare? Get in touch with our team for a free quote.