What to do when bringing items into New Zealand
Items that cost NZ$1000 or less or over NZ$1000
Items that cost NZ$1000 or less
If you're bringing items to New Zealand from overseas that cost NZ$1000 or less you don't have to pay anything to Customs, as GST is collected when you purchase your items. There's nothing else that you must do for your items to arrive.
However, we do charge Duty and GST for alcohol and tobacco products regardless of value.
Items that cost more than NZ$1000
If you buy items from overseas for over NZ$1000, we collect GST and/or Duty and you must apply for a Customs Number.
Step 1
Order items for over NZ$1000, arrange transport to NZ and apply for a Customs Number (Client Code).
Step 2
The company that has transported your items will contact you when those items arrive in New Zealand.
Step 3
Email service.delivery@customs.govt.nz with the following:
- A completed copy of NZCS 263 Bringing General Items into NZ as a Private Individual (PDF 940 KB)
- A copy of your photo ID
- Proof of purchase
- Shipping document (Air Waybill/Bill of Lading)
- Notice or letter from your transport company (courier company, NZ Post etc.) that your parcel has arrived in New Zealand.
Alternatively you can contact a Customs broker to manage the process for you at your own cost.
Step 4
Customs will issue you an invoice based on the Customs Value, which is the cost of the item in New Zealand Dollars (NZD), as well as the cost of shipping and any insurance. This charge will be made up of:
- 15% GST
- Duty if required, this depends on where your item is from and what it is
-
The Import Entry Transaction Fee (IETF) and the Biosecurity System Entry Levy (BSEL) will also be charged.
Step 5
Step 6
Once you have paid, your transport company will receive automatic notification that your goods can be delivered to you.