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Travelling to New Zealand

What am I not allowed to bring into New Zealand? Can I bring medicines into New Zealand? I need to complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) I'm travelling to New Zealand on a recreational vessel, yacht, or small craft I'm travelling to New Zealand on a cruise ship I'm travelling to New Zealand on a commercial vessel

What to do before you travel to New Zealand and what to expect when you arrive.

Before you travel to New Zealand 

Things to do before you travel to New Zealand:

New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD)

Everyone travelling into New Zealand must complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD).

It's free and needs to be completed before reaching passport control in New Zealand.

You can complete a declaration at www.TravellerDeclaration.govt.nz or by downloading the NZTD app.

To make your arrival easier do your digital declaration before you board your flight to New Zealand.

If you cannot complete a declaration online, you will need to complete an NZTD paper declaration form. This form will be available on arrival in New Zealand. 

You need to answer questions about your trip and what you’re bringing into the country.

To complete a declaration or to find out more, visit www.TravellerDeclaration.govt.nz.

Arriving into New Zealand – what to expect 

It may take longer than usual to get through Customs, baggage collection and biosecurity at the airport. It's common for airports to be busy and have queues.

You can help by having these completed and ready to present to border officers at the airport:

  • your New Zealand Traveller Declaration
  • any other necessary documents

Check what you need 

At the airport, you must show Customs officials at passport control your: 

  • visa (if you need one)
  • passport

Before reaching passport control, you also need to complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD). This will be automatically checked when you scan your passport at the eGate or when a border officer checks your passport. You do not need to print anything out.

If you cannot complete a declaration online, you will need to complete a paper declaration. This will be available on arrival in New Zealand. 

eGates

Check if you’re able to use an eGate at passport control. This can speed up your journey through the airport.

You can use eGate if:

  • you are 10 years of age or older
  • you have an ePassport from one of the specified countries.

Find out more on our eGate page.

Biosecurity

Travellers should declare or dispose of biosecurity risk items on arrival in New Zealand. 

Everyone can help by telling their family and friends about New Zealand’s biosecurity requirements if they are travelling to New Zealand.

Travellers are asked to consider what they bring into New Zealand. Bringing in items that must be declared or prohibited items are likely to increase processing times.

Find out more on:

Transiting through New Zealand 

The New Zealand Government has transit arrangements with some countries.

You are a transit passenger if:

  • you pass through New Zealand on your way to another country
  • you do not plan to stay in New Zealand.

You can only transit New Zealand through Auckland International Airport. You must stay in the transit area of the airport. You cannot apply to enter New Zealand.

You can remain in transit for up to 24 hours. If you need to stay longer than 24 hours, you are not a transit passenger. You need to apply to enter New Zealand and complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration.

Transit passengers don't need to complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration if:

  • they stay in the transit area for 24 hours or less
  • they don’t enter New Zealand.

Find out about transit requirements and the transit visa on Immigration New Zealand’s website.

Border processing levy 

People coming and going over New Zealand’s border must pay a border processing levy on arrival and departure.

  • These levy rates are exclusive of any applicable GST.
  • These charges are included in your ticket when you book air travel or a cruise.
  • We’ll send an invoice for private crafts.

Airlines or private craft

Travellers arriving on airlines or private craft must pay:

  • Customs levy of NZ$16.59
  • biosecurity levy of NZ$16.92

Travellers departing on airlines or private craft must pay a Customs levy of NZ$4.52.

Cruise ships

Travellers arriving on a cruise ship must pay:

  • Customs levy of NZ$11.48
  • biosecurity levy of NZ$10.58

Travellers departing on a cruise ship must pay a Customs levy of NZ$4.55.

Bringing items in and out of New Zealand 

Prohibited and restricted items

You won’t be able to bring prohibited items into New Zealand.

You may be able to bring some restricted items into New Zealand, but only if:

  • you have a permit for them, or
  • after they have gone through treatments like fumigation.

Find out more at Prohibited and restricted items.

Note: you can’t bring pepper spray into New Zealand. We consider it to be a weapon.

Fees and charges

We charge duties based on how much you paid for items you’re bringing into New Zealand. We also charge 15% GST on the total value, including duties.

If you don’t know how much your item cost (for example, it was a gift), we may have your item valued independently.

We only accept payments in New Zealand dollars. You can pay with:

  • cash
  • EFTPOS
  • VISA or MasterCard credit cards.

Read more at Duties and allowances.

Bringing money into New Zealand

Border Cash Report

You are required to complete a Border Cash Report if you carry NZ$10,000 or more cash (or foreign equivalent) into or out of New Zealand. 

More information, including the relevant forms, is available at Border Cash Report.

Temporary Import Entry (TIE)

If you’re bringing in items you intend to take back out with you, you may not have to pay duty on them.

Temporary import qualification

To qualify as “temporary imports”, the items must:

  • be in the same condition as when you brought them in
  • be uniquely identifiable (for example, a serial number)
  • be for your personal use, and not for sale, exchange, distribution or as a gift
  • be non-consumable
  • leave NZ within 12 months of arriving here
    • yachts and small craft must leave within two years
    • in some cases, we may grant an extension. You must apply at least a month in advance.

When you will need a TIE

You must arrange a TIE with us before you arrive in NZ.

There is a fee on any TIE.

You will need a TIE if:

  • you don’t have a carnet for your items
  • your items aren’t household effects that came into NZ with you.

Financial security on temporary import entry

We may require financial security for temporary imports. There are three forms of financial security:

Items which qualify for temporary import entry

Items which qualify for temporary import include:

  • cameras (still, video, and motion picture) a supply of film, tapes, and accessories
  • binoculars
  • musical instruments
  • sound and video devices (such as tape recorders, CD players, mini disc players, DVD players, and dictating machines)
  • portable radio receivers
  • cellular or mobile telephones
  • portable personal computers (laptops) and accessories
  • baby carriages and strollers
  • wheelchairs
  • sporting equipment.

You can also bring in, as temporary imports:

  • professional equipment and items for display or use at exhibitions, fairs, meetings or similar events
  • items you’re importing for educational, scientific, cultural or humanitarian purposes
  • tourist publicity material
  • items you’re importing for sports purposes
  • animals.

Declaring items you owned before leaving New Zealand

When you arrive in New Zealand, you don’t need to declare:

  • any items that you had before you left the country
  • duty-free items you bought before leaving.

If you’re worried that items you took overseas could affect your duty-free allowance, you can ask us for a Certificate of Export. This is proof that you owned the item when you left New Zealand.

You can get the certificate from us before you leave New Zealand. We can only issue it for uniquely identifiable items (for example, items with serial numbers).

If the items are new video or camera equipment, we suggest you carry documents proving you already owned them before you left.

Taking items back out of New Zealand

If you’re bringing items into New Zealand that you’ll be taking back out with you, you won’t have to pay GST and duties on some. These include:

  • still, video, and movie cameras
  • a reasonable supply of films, tapes, and accessories
  • binoculars
  • portable musical instruments
  • portable sound and video players (for example, tape recorders, CD players, mini disc players, DVD players)
  • dictaphones and portable recorders
  • portable radio receivers
  • cellphones (mobile phones)
  • laptops/tablets and accessories
  • baby carriages and strollers
  • wheelchairs
  • sports equipment.

If your items don’t match this list, we may need you to give us a cash deposit to cover GST and duties. We will refund you when you take the items out of New Zealand.

Major Events Travel Advisory - A Guide for New Zealand Border Entry

This Travel Advisory is for event participants planning to attend an event held in New Zealand. It includes some basic preparation and visa information to ensure that you can fulfil the entry requirements and processes for New Zealand. It may help make your experience in New Zealand positive and memorable.

Note: the following content is provided for information only. Event participants must still ensure they meet all relevant requirements.

Major Events Travel Advisory - A Guide for New Zealand Border Entry (PDF, 242 KB)

Commercial items

What you need to know when bringing commercial items into New Zealand.

eGate

eGate is an automated way to get through passport control.

On your arrival

New Zealand Traveller Declaration, what to declare, translation support, etc.

Vehicles, boats and planes

Cars, boats and planes

Travelling to New Zealand on a cruise ship

Information about travelling to New Zealand on a cruise ship including prohibited and restricted items, declaring items, and bringing money into New Zealand.