Why I think getting the Hollyland Mars 400S Pro II from the US is worth it for NZ videographers

May 11, 2026

The logic behind the import

I’ve been spending a lot of time lately looking at my wireless video setup. In 2026, we are seeing more high-bitrate demands than ever, and my old gear just wasn't cutting it. When I started looking for the Hollyland Mars 400S Pro II here in New Zealand, I noticed a massive price gap compared to the US market. I realized that even after paying for international transit, the savings were significant enough to warrant a bit of extra effort.

Why I think getting the Hollyland Mars 400S Pro II from the US is worth it for NZ videographers
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My goal was to get the most stable 12Mbps stream possible for my field monitor. The local retail price in NZ for just the standard unit was already pushing my budget, but then I saw the US Video Bundle. It wasn't just about the lower base price in USD; it was about what they actually put in the box for the North American market.

What is in the US video bundle

I found that the US Video Bundle is a specific SKU that we don't often see on the shelves in Auckland or Wellington. It includes some extra mounting hardware—specifically a cold-shoe extension and a high-torque magic arm—that usually costs an extra fifty or sixty bucks if you buy them separately.

We also get the dual NP-F battery plates pre-installed. While the NZ version has these, the US bundle I looked at also threw in a d-tap to DC cable which is essential for my V-mount rig. I decided that buying from a US store was the only way to get this specific configuration without having to piece it together myself from different suppliers.

My shipping and logistics breakdown

Once I decided to buy from the States, I had to figure out how to actually get it here. Most US retailers have high direct-shipping rates to New Zealand, or they won't ship certain electronics brands internationally at all. I decided to use comGateway because they provided me with a tax-free us address in Oregon. This meant I didn't have to pay US sales tax, which saved me another 8% or 9% right off the bat.

I used their shipping calculator to get a rough idea of what the final cost would be. I wanted to make sure I wasn't going to get hit with a surprise bill that would negate the savings I made on the bundle price.

Shipping estimates for the bundle

For those of you looking to do the same thing, I’ve put together a quick estimate based on the package I received in May 2026. This should help you plan your budget when you want to forward packages to your door.

Factor Estimate Detail
Box Weight Approx. 1.3 kg (2.9 lbs)
Box Dimensions 26cm x 19cm x 11cm (Medium sized retail box)
Volumetric Warning Low risk. The box is dense and doesn't take up much space.
Primary Contents Transmitter, Receiver, Antennas, Mounting Hardware, Cables

Dealing with lithium batteries

One thing I had to be careful about was the battery situation. My bundle included the battery plates, but some sellers include two NP-F style lithium-ion batteries. I had to check the shipping rules because lithium batteries have very specific requirements for air freight. If your bundle includes batteries, make sure your freight forwarder is equipped to handle them, as they are sometimes classified as restricted goods depending on how they are packed.

In my case, I chose a bundle that only had the plates and used my existing batteries in NZ. This made the shipping process much smoother and avoided any potential delays at the hub.

Getting the gear to New Zealand

The process of using a package forwarding service was pretty straightforward for me. After the item arrived at my US address, I was notified and could choose my shipping speed. I usually go for the express options because I’m impatient with new gear, but even the standard air freight was quite fast.

If you find that a US store won't accept your NZ credit card, you might want to look into an assisted purchase service. I’ve used that before for other camera gear when the retailer’s payment system was being difficult with international billing addresses.

A note on NZ customs and taxes

I always remind my fellow shooters to factor in the local costs. When the Hollyland Mars 400S Pro II hits the NZ border, Customs will look at the value. You will likely need to pay GST on the item. I recommend checking out the latest info on import duties to see how the current thresholds work in 2026.

Even with the GST added, my total spend was still nearly $200 NZD less than what I would have paid at a local specialty shop. Plus, I have that extra mounting hardware that I couldn't find anywhere else. It took a bit of planning, but for a professional wireless kit, the effort was well worth the result for my production workflow.

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