New Zealand customs regulations

Duty-free allowance

Tobacco limit

Restricted to travellers 18 years and over. One of following:

• 50 cigarettes;
• 50 grams of tobacco or cigars;
• or a mixture of all three weighing not more than 50 grams.

Bringing alcohol

• Restricted to travellers 18 years and over;
• 4.5 litres of wine or beer;
• 3 bottles of spirits or other alcoholic beverages (each bottle containing a maximum of 1.125 litres).

Cash limit

• There are no restrictions on the importation of funds into New Zealand.
• Funds of NZD$10,000 or more must be declared on a Border Cash Report.

Other Goods

• New goods obtained overseas (excluding alcohol and tobacco) which have a total combined value of NZD$700.
• Personal effects such as clothing and jewellery. These must not be intended to be sold or gifted.
• Personal cameras and accessories.
• Binoculars.
• Portable musical instruments.
• Portable radio receivers.
• Cellular or mobile phones.
• Laptops and accessories.
• Baby carriages and strollers.
• Wheelchairs.
• Sporting equipment.
• Prescription medication should be kept in its original packaging, and accompanied by a note from the prescribing doctor outlining the purpose of the medication, the condition it has been prescribed for, and the quantity needed during the traveller's visit.
• Human ashes are not restricted, however they must be declared. It is recommended that they are accompanied by the relevant death or cremation certificate.
• Gifts worth NZD$110 or less can be imported free of charge. If presents are for more than one person, each person can receive NZ $110, but the identity of each recipient must be clearly established.
• Goods residents have taken with them when leaving the country. If in doubt about re-importing an item, a Certificate of Export can be acquired on departure.
• Service dogs are not subject to the same import controls as pet dogs.
• Heirlooms if not for resale can be brought in under an heirloom concession. Evidence such as a solicitor’s letter confirming the bequest may be required.

Prohibited items

The following are goods which cannot be brought into the country.

• Chewing tobacco for the purpose of sale.
• Cloned or hybrid human embryos.
• Cannabis utensils such as bongs and hash pipes.
• Certain dog-tracking devices are prohibited. For further information, please visit the New Zealand Customs Service Prohibited imports.
• Dangerous dog breeds: American Pit Bull Terrier, Dogo Argentino, Japanese Tosa, Brazilian Fila and Perro de Presa Canario. Any other dog imported into New Zealand will require a declaration that the dog is not one of the above breeds, and a certificate from a registered veterinarian in the country of export that they have no reason to doubt that the dog is not one of the above breeds.
• Goods with a misleading label containing a false or misleading representation as to their quality and country of origin.
• Raw asbestos.
• Motor vehicles with an incorrect or absent odometer.
• Objectionable material including, but not limited to, films, computer games, DVDs, and posters. For further information, please visit the New Zealand Customs Service Prohibited imports.
• Many goods are considered unsafe and are subject to strict controls. Those that do not comply are prohibited from import. For further information, please visit the New Zealand Customs Service Prohibited imports.
• Narcotic drugs.

Restricted items

These goods are strictly regulated, and in most cases require a permit to be obtained prior to arrival.

• Hunting rifles require a Police Permit to Import. For further information, please visit the New Zealand Police Visitor's firearms licence and import permits.
• All agricultural food and plant items must be declared. Many are restricted, and some are prohibited. For further information, please visit the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
• Brushes that contain animal hair or bristle require permission from the MPI.
• Chemical weapons and chemicals that may be used in the manufacture of chemical weapons require permission from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT).
• Controlled drugs for the purpose of treating a medical condition require a licence from the Ministry of Health, unless the traveller is covered by an exemption. Most cannabis based pharmaceuticals are prohibited, with the exception of Marinol, Syndros, and Cesamet. For further information, please visit the Ministry of Health Bringing medicines into New Zealand.
• Certain products made from endangered species such as medicines and fur skins require import approval. For further information, please visit the Department of Conservation (DOC) The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
• Explosives, such as fireworks and flares, are strictly controlled and require import permits. For further information, please visit the Environmental and Protection Authority (EPA) Explosives.
• Hazardous waste and substances and are restricted, and require a permit for import. For further information please visit the EPA Importing and manufacturing hazardous substances.
• Ozone depleting substances require approval from the EPA.
• Laser pointers with a power output of 1 milliwatt or more require consent from the Ministry of Health (MOH).
• The importation of marine mammals is restricted. For further information, please visit DOC.
• Persistent organic pollutants require import permits from the EPA.
• Children's crayons, finger paints and watercolour paints require import permits from the EPA.
• Radio jamming equipment requires a licence from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). For further information, please visit MBIE Radio Spectrum Management.
• Radioactive materials require approval from the Ministry of Health. For further information, please visit MOH Radiation safety.
• Trout and trout products require a permit to import from DOC.
• Certain tyres are subject to restrictions by MBIE.
• Rough diamonds are subject to sanctions by the United Nations, and require permission from MFAT to be imported.
• Weapons such as firearms, knives, and knuckledusters are restricted, and some are prohibited.
• All pets are subject to importation requirements, and some are prohibited. For further information, please visit the Ministry for Primary Industries Importing Pets.