Completing a Customs Clearance

For your vehicle/vessel/aircraft (V/V/A)

Option A

You may use a Customs Broker, freight forwarder or moving company to do the customs clearance.

The shipping company that has transported your V/V/A should contact you when it arrives or is due to arrive in New Zealand. They will provide you with the shipping documentation confirming the arrival. Ensure that they haven’t already completed a customs clearance on your behalf.

Option B

You can obtain a clearance from Customs.

Send all information as soon as you have received notification of arrival from the shipping company or freight forwarder. Any delay in clearance may result in additional storage charges payable by you.

Customs cannot prepare a clearance without receiving all supporting documents.

If you require Customs to complete your clearance on your behalf, follow the steps below.

Step 1

Provide a copy of the following documents:

NZCS 218: Bring Personal Household Items into New Zealand (PDF, 393 KB)
Passport bio details (photo ID of owner). If you don’t hold a New Zealand or Australian passport, a copy of your visa will also be required to verify your residency in New Zealand. Refer to Document Authorising Residency
Purchase invoice or bill of sale (must be dated) *
Evidence there is no finance owing at the date of importation (if applicable)
Evidence of at least one full year of personal use (for example, insurance or registration documents)*
Shipping documents that state your V/V/A has arrived in New Zealand (for example, a bill of lading and an arrival notice)*
An invoice showing international freight and insurance costs to ship to New Zealand
Completed and signed written undertaking if concession applies
Any other relevant documents supporting your Concession Reference 80 claim.

*Note: The documents must clearly specify:

Motor vehicle: year, make, model, VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) /chassis number, odometer reading
Ships: ship’s name, registration number and year of launch
Aircraft: make, model, year of manufacture, serial number, and registration.

Email your request to service.delivery@customs.govt.nz

Step 2

You will receive an automatic response confirming receipt of your email. This will be actioned in the order it is received.

If any further information is required, such as a written undertaking for a vehicle, Customs will contact you directly.

Customs may examine your shipment to verify any of the details you have provided. This may delay the clearance of your shipment.

Customs will send you an email once clearance has been finalised advising you of the next steps.

Step 3

If duty and/or GST payment is required

If duty and/or GST is payable on your V/V/A, you will receive an email from Customs with an invoice/statement attached.

Payment online is required before the goods can be released. Refer to the Paying Customs webpage or follow instructions on the invoice to make payment.

Allow up to 48 hours for payment to be received by Customs.

Once payment is received by Customs, a delivery notification will be sent to the shipping company/freight forwarder/moving company.

Note that there may be Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) biosecurity requirements. Your shipping company/freight forwarder/moving company will advise you of any further requirements.

For more information, contact info@mpi.govt.nz.

Contact your shipping company/freight forwarder/moving company to arrange delivery.

Step 4

If no duty and/or GST payment is required

If there is no duty and/or GST payment required, you will receive an email from Customs confirming your shipment is cleared.

Your shipping company/freight forwarder/moving company will receive a delivery notification from Customs.

Note: There may be Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) biosecurity requirements. Your shipping company/freight forwarder/moving company will advise you of any further requirements.