New Zealand customs declaration
What to declare at New Zealand customs?
Find out about the passenger arrival card, declaration of specific goods and biosecurity - all you need to know for your customs declaration on arrival in New Zealand!
What is the passenger arrival card?
On the plane you will receive this New Zealand Passenger Arrival Card, we recommend that you look at it before you leave home.
How to proceed through customs
After you claim your baggage and go through the Customs Passport Control there is usually an officer who looks at your declaration form and makes sure you have understood everything.
He will then send you either:
- to the "Nothing to Declare Way Out" (green exit), or
- to the "Goods to Declare Way Out" (red exit) if you have declared any customs or agricultural goods on your arrival card, with a customs officer to collect any duties and maybe also a biosecurity officer to further evaluate any potential risks and dangers.
Afterwards all baggage will be x-rayed to detect further biosecurity hazards.
What to declare at New Zealand customs?
You must declare any of the following goods:
- goods that may be prohibited or restricted, such as weapons, objectionable (indecent) articles, wildlife products, or illicit drugs
- goods in excess of the $700 allowance and the tobacco and alcoholic beverages allowance
- goods for commercial, business, or trade purposes
- goods carried on behalf of another person
- NZ$10,000 or more, or the equivalent in foreign currency.
What you don't need to declare
Clothing, footwear, jewellery or toiletries don’t need declaration if they are intended solely for your own use.
Further information: www.customs.govt.nz
See our next article about what not to bring or pack: New Zealand biosecurity regulations.
