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Recreational vessels, yachts and small craft

Yachts

This page lists the requirements for people and vessels arriving and departing New Zealand.

People

  • owners
  • operators
  • agents
  • passengers
  • crew

Vessels

  • recreational vessels
  • yachts and small craft
  • superyachts and pleasure craft

Before you travel

You need to comply with all requirements to enter New Zealand. Follow these steps to prepare for your travel.

All passengers and crew on board recreational vessels, yachts and small craft are required to meet the following requirements before entering New Zealand.

Each person aboard must have:

  1. A valid passport. Check its expiry date to make sure it meets the rules for acceptable travel documents.
    If you are a New Zealand citizen and you need to renew your passport, make sure you allow plenty of time before you travel.
    Apply for or renew your passport at passports.govt.nz
    Check that your passport is acceptable for travel to New Zealand on the Immigration NZ website
  2. A visa (if required) or an NZeTA. Travellers who are not New Zealand or Australian passport holders need a current visa or NZeTA to enter New Zealand.
    For more information, visit Immigration NZ's website.
  3. Evidence of funds of NZ$400 per month, if living onboard a yacht.
  4. An outward ticket (or evidence of sufficient funds to buy an outward ticket) if departing by commercial transport.

Mandatory documents to complete

The following mandatory forms must be completed in full with the correct information. Email completed forms to yachts@customs.govt.nz within the specified timeframes as listed below.

  1. Advance Notice of Arrival (ANA) for all craft travelling to New Zealand
  2. C4G/Temporary Import Entry for vessels arriving on a temporary basis
  3. Inward Report
  4. Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Masters Declaration
  5. Border Cash Report (if applicable)
  6. New Zealand Traveller Declaration

Documents should be supplied in the following accepted formats:

  • PDF
  • Word document
  • .jpg (photographs accepted if content is legible)

1. Complete the Advance Notice of Arrival (ANA) for all craft travelling to New Zealand as required under the Customs and Excise Act 2018

The small craft/yachts Advance Notice of Arrival (ANA) form (DOC, 284 KB) needs to be completed by the owner/master of the vessel. Send this to us at least 48 hours before arrival in New Zealand territorial waters – 12 nautical miles.

The ANA is a mandatory legal document. The owner/master is liable for prosecution for:

  • not submitting the ANA in the required timeframe
  • not providing the ANA in the specified form and manner.

Other documents to supply with ANA

The following documents must be provided and emailed with the ANA to yachts@customs.govt.nz:

  • Certificate of Registration
  • Scanned copy or photograph of bio-page of passport for all passengers and crew on board
  • Full photograph of craft/vessel
  • Evidence of Value e.g. Bill of Sale (Purchase agreement with sale price) 

If you don’t have evidence of value (for example, the craft was built, gifted, modified, or inherited) you can provide:

  • a full replacement marine insurance value, or,
  • a New Zealand boat valuation by an independent assessor. This is to be done at time of importation to establish the value of the craft. The New Zealand boat valuation will be at your cost.

Important note: when your ANA and supporting documents have been emailed to yachts@customs.govt.nz, you will receive an auto-reply. This confirms we have received your documentation. If you do not receive a reply email, check your junk mail folder. If you still cannot find a reply from us, resend all information again.

What to do if your travel plans change after submitting your ANA

If you have submitted your ANA to Customs and your travel plans change, especially if you intend to arrive prior to the ETA stated in Part B of the form:

and advise us of those changes. 

This will ensure that you will be able to be processed efficiently when you arrive. Ideally this advice should be sent prior to your departure from the last port before New Zealand. You can update your ETA enroute by contacting Maritime Radio by HF or VHF (when within range).

2. C4G/Temporary Import Entry for Vessels arriving on a Temporary basis

Yachts that arrive in New Zealand on a temporary basis (up to 24 months) may qualify to be entered on a C4G/Temporary Import Entry.  We will require specific documents to ensure Customs can clear your vessel on a Temporary Import Entry (TIE).

Note: if the required documents listed on this page are not provided, this could delay the clearance of your vessel upon arrival.

Conditions for qualifying for a C4G/TIE

  • the vessel owners are a resident of a country other than New Zealand, and the vessel is in New Zealand for bona fide tourism purposes
  • the vessel is in New Zealand for a maximum of 24 months
  • the vessel will not be sold or offered for sale orn otherwise disposed of in New Zealand without the permission of Customs
  • the vessel will not be used in a commercial capacity for hire, or for the transport of cargo or the carriage of passengers for reward while in New Zealand
  • the skipper/owner must export the vessel before the expiry of the 24 months period. If the vessel is not exported, the skipper/owner will undertake to pay Customs the amount of duty and GST calculated on the vessel at time of importation.

When you arrive in New Zealand, a Customs officer will inspect your vessel and complete the form below:

  • C4G/TIE form (PDF, 84 KB) - this form is a sample only and should not be completed prior to arriving in New Zealand.

You will then be required to sign the form. When you sign the C4G, you are making a declaration that:

  • you will not sell the vessel within 24 months of arrival
  • the particulars contained in the form are true and correct.

If you do sell the vessel, you will be required to pay Customs the duty/GST owing at the time of import. If you intend to sell your vessel while it is under a C4G/TIE, Customs must give permission first.

If you have any questions, email service.delivery@customs.govt.nz

3. Complete the Inward Report

The owner/master of the vessel must complete the Inward Report form (PDF, 140 KB).

This form provides information in relation to:

  • the vessel
  • the vessel's travel movements
  • any cargo
  • firearms
  • controlled drugs/medicines
  • stores
  • passengers and crew on board
  • craft details, such as type of vessel
  • radio frequencies for Maritime NZ
  • other chattels on board
  • the ownership of the craft.

The form must be:

  • completed in respect of all vessels
  • completed within 24 hours of arriving at a Customs place
  • handed to Customs at the port.

4. Complete the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Masters Declaration

All vessels must comply with Biosecurity requirements for entry into NZ.

The MPI Masters Declaration form must be completed by the master of the vessel. This declaration must be completed at time of arrival and handed to MPI/Customs at the port.

5. Complete the Border Cash Report (if applicable)

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.

The form must be:

  • completed by the individual(s) bringing the cash into New Zealand
  • completed at time of arrival and handed to Customs at the port.

If you have completed the online Border Cash Report, you will receive an ID receipt for presenting to Customs at the port. 

Note: the online Border Cash Report form can only be completed within 72 hours of your trip to New Zealand.

6. Complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration

Travellers arriving into New Zealand on a recreational vessel, yacht or small craft must complete either a:

New Zealand Traveller Declaration

The New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) is now available for travellers on recreational vessels, yachts and small craft. The system allows travellers to complete a digital declaration prior to presenting to a border officer on arrival in New Zealand. This declaration is submitted instead of completing a paper arrival declaration. Find out more at www.travellerdeclaration.govt.nz/travelling-by-sea.

Pay the border processing levy

Each person must pay a Border Processing Levy of NZ$13.04 when they arrive and NZ$3.62 when they leave New Zealand.

We will send an invoice to the email address you give us on your Advance Notice of Arrival form. You have until the 20th day of the following month to pay. If you pay late, we will charge you 8% on the remaining amount and 2% for every month you don’t pay.

Restricted and prohibited items

You are not allowed to bring some items into New Zealand. Some items require approval to import, including firearms and certain types of weapons. For more information, visit the Prohibited and restricted items webpage.

You must declare any firearms prior to your arrival on the Advance Notice of Arrival form.

Ensure you meet biosecurity requirements

Certain food items such as fresh fruits, vegetables, meat and poultry are not allowed into New Zealand. 

Voyage and preparing for arrival

Activate your AIS transponder (or other observable satellite tracking system) prior to departure. Keep it on for the duration of the journey so your movements can be verified.

Make sure your vessel is properly outfitted and provisioned before undertaking your voyage. In addition to planning your travel time to New Zealand, remember to plan for enough:

  • provisions
  • power
  • fuel
  • waste management.

If anyone on board has or is suspected of having an infectious disease, you must:

  • fly the international Q flag
  • notify health authorities.

Ports of arrival for recreational vessels, yachts and small craft

Recreational vessels, yachts and small craft can arrive at eight ports and marinas in New Zealand.

The ports/marinas that vessels can arrive at are:

  • Opua
  • Whangarei (Marsden Cove Marina)  
  • Auckland (Westhaven marina)
  • Auckland (Viaduct marina and Silo marina)
  • Picton (and including Waikawa Marina)
  • Nelson
  • Lyttelton

All seven ports and marinas are Customs-controlled Areas (CCA’s) and Places of First Arrival (PoFA) for MPI.

When you arrive

When you arrive in New Zealand waters, tell us by calling Maritime Radio on one of these frequencies:

  • 2182 kHz
  • 4125 kHz
  • 6215 kHz
  • 8291 kHz
  • 12290 kHz
  • 16420 kHz
  • VHF Ch 16

Clearance to leave your vessel

When you berth at your first port of arrival in New Zealand, border officers from Customs and MPI will come aboard your vessel. These officers will complete arrival formalities. You must stay on board until they give you clearance to leave your vessel.

COVID-19 update for Private Yachts on C4G/Temporary Import entry (TIE)

Arriving yachts that are here on a temporary basis may qualify to be entered on a C4G/Temporary Import Entry.  

In 2020, under COVID-19 restrictions, many vessels were unable to depart New Zealand before the expiration of their TIEs. The decision was made for Customs to give a blanket extension to all affected by TIEs to stay in New Zealand.

A further extension was given until 30 June 2023. This is the final date for export of vessels under the extended TIE.

Yacht owners must continue to abide by the conditions set out in their C4G. Any breach of these conditions will invalidate the C4G and therefore this further extension.

If you are intending to sell your vessel while it is under a C4G/TIE, Customs must give permission first. If you have any questions or require clarification, email service.delivery@customs.govt.nz.

If you have any questions about the departure process for leaving New Zealand, read the Leaving New Zealand section below.

Leaving New Zealand

You must depart New Zealand from a designated Customs place. If you wish to depart from a port that is not a Customs place, you must have obtained prior approval from Customs.

Advance notice of departure

Submit Form C2B: Advance notice of departure (small craft) (DOC, 165 KB) to yachts@customs.govt.nz no less than four hours before departure.

If you submit the form earlier (a day or two), then that is ideal. This will help avoid processing delays.

Contact the Customs Officer at your port of departure at least a day or two before leaving New Zealand. Make an appointment with that officer to attend at the required time and date of departure.

Temporary Import Entry

If you have paid a financial security for the Temporary Import Entry of your vessel, you will need to request a refund from Service Delivery. Email service.delivery@customs.govt.nz with the following information:

  • Temporary Import Entry number
  • Export Entry number
  • Name of your vessel
  • Your client code
  • Amount paid as a security
  • A screenshot of your bank details for the account you wish the deposit to be refunded into. This must show:
    • Bank name
    • Account holder name
    • Account number

International Voyage Certificate

If your craft is registered in New Zealand, an International Voyage Certificate (pleasure craft) is required. This is issued by Maritime New Zealand. For more information, visit Maritime New Zealand

Additional documentation

Ensure you have:

  • passports for every person leaving on the craft
  • a recent photograph of the craft which can be used for identifying it.

Border Cash Report

Passengers must complete a Border Cash Report if they are carrying NZ$10,000 or more in cash or equivalent. This form is to be completed by the individual moving the cash out of New Zealand:

Obligation to depart New Zealand after clearance

When we have approved your clearance, you must depart immediately. You must not go to any other place within New Zealand, or you risk a fine or prosecution.

The only exceptions are in an emergency, or with our permission. Contact us immediately on:

If the situation isn’t life-threatening, but you still need to pause your journey, you must get our permission first. An officer will tell you what other requirements you must meet.

Taking duty free items out of New Zealand

You can only load duty-free consumable items when you’re about to depart New Zealand.

You can do this through a duty-free business or ships providore. They must email NZCS 325: Requisition for Ships Stores (DOC, 147 KB) to us at ships.stores@customs.govt.nz. They must email us no more than 12 hours before you leave.

Keep receipts for any duty-free purchases you’re claiming, as we may inspect them.

Extending your stay, chartering or permanently importing your yacht

Visitors to New Zealand may import a yacht or sailing craft for up to two years without paying duty and GST or a cash security. They must meet all of the following criteria:

  • they are a permanent resident of a country other than New Zealand
  • the yacht or sailing craft will not be sold or offered for sale in New Zealand, or destroyed or given away without permission from Customs
  • the yacht or sailing craft will not be used commercially for hire, transport of cargo or carrying passengers.

Note: the qualifying criteria may be extended, on a case by case basis, to craft used for charter. The charter work must be less than 65 percent of the vessel’s time in New Zealand.

If the requirements above are not met:

  • we will require a financial security
  • the yacht or small craft must be exported within 12 months.

If you’re moving to NZ, you may be able to import your craft without paying Customs duty and GST.

Penalties

You may incur penalties if you breach New Zealand law by:

  • not complying with public health requirements
  • not complying with Customs requirements
  • failing to declare restricted goods or goods that exceed Customs’ allowances.

See something suspicious along the coastline?

Help protect New Zealand by reporting suspicious activity that could indicate cross-border crime. Our coastlines are part of New Zealand’s border. Criminals can use them to bring drugs into our country or undertake other illegal activity. If you’re near the coast, be alert to the signs of cross-border crime.

If you notice any of these, you may have witnessed something illegal:

  • yachts or boats meeting at sea
  • landing in an unusual area
  • transferring objects between vessels

People or vehicles in unusual or isolated areas near the coast can also be a sign of crime. This applies especially to activity that looks rushed, nervous or secretive.

If it doesn’t seem right, report it.

Find out more on our Border Protect webpage.

Report now by calling the 24-hour confidential hotline - 0800 WE PROTECT (0800 937 768)

Contact us

Further information

Disclaimer

This information is a general guide only. It should not be relied on if specific advice is needed in relation to your particular circumstances. You should either:

  • approach the specific New Zealand government agency concerned, or
  • seek independent legal advice.