Exporting to

NEW ZEALAND

QUARANTINE  REQUIREMENTS

Personal Effects:  New Zealand relies heavily on the exportation of agricultural products around the world.  For this reason it is important to ensure that the pests and diseases affecting other countries do not make it onto the shores.  Quarantine charges include examination and treatment fees.   The charges are dependent on where the shipment originated from, what specific items quarantine need to inspect/treat and the total quality of the shipment. 

High risk items that are prohibited from entering New Zealand are fresh fruit and vegetables, egg cartons, all honey and bee products including propolis and bee medications, leis and lei materials, straw and biological cultures and organisms (unless with prior approval).  In addition to this list, unless you have a CITES certificate, you will not be allowed to bring into New Zealand coral, clam, turtle and tortoise shells or ivory (in any form) or a number of other endangered species. 

Like New Zealand Customs, MAF require a declaration to be made.  Import staff in New Zealand will supply and assist with the completion of these declarations.

Restricted items that require you to declare their presence are all foods, dried flowers, seeds, cane/bamboo/rattan items, pine cones and potpourri, wooden artifacts, items including feathers, bones, tusks, furs, skins, hunting trophies, stuffed animals and reptiles, unprocessed wool and animal hair, equipment used on animals which includes riding equipment, camping gear and any other items containing soil or water.  These items may require inspection and, if needed, be treated or destroyed.  Generally all items that would normally be used outside will be examined to make sure they are free from soil and other contaminants, so make sure they are thoroughly cleaned.  Also, make sure that your vacuum cleaner has been emptied.

While this list identifies most of the common threats to New Zealand, this list is not exhaustive.  If you are unsure about a particular item, please feel free to contact our office.

CUSTOMS REQUIREMENTS

Personal Effects:   Once you have arrived in New Zealand, you will be required to complete an Unaccompanied  Baggage Declaration in order that your personal effects can be customs cleared.  If you are a first-time immigrant with the authority to take up permanent residency, a returning New Zealander who has been absent from the country for more than 21 months, or an immigrant with a work permit for more than one year, your household and personal effects will be admitted free of duty and exempt Goods & Services Tax (GST).  Household and personal effects must have been owned and used prior to shipping, be for your personal use and must not be of a commercial or business nature.  For immigrants that do not fall under the above categories, or who are not going to be present at the time their goods arrive in New Zealand, a duty and GST deposit will be payable to New Zealand Customs.  The value of the effects, their age and quantity will all be taken into consideration.  This deposit will be refunded once you are issued with permanent residency status, a work permit for more than one year, or arrive in New Zealand with the authority to take up permanent residency.  The duty deposit will also be refunded if all the personal effects that were originally imported are then re-exported.  Owner Packed Goods:  New Zealand Customs require a detailed packing list on all owner packed cartons etc. (PBO).  Failure to provide this list will result in delays and extra costs at destination.

If you are a New Zealand resident returning within 21 months of leaving New Zealand, you will be required to pay duty and GST on all items purchased overseas (excluding clothing, footwear, jewellery and toiletries intended for you own use.)  Proof of export will be required for items originally shipped from New Zealand, while purchase receipts/invoices should be carried with you and not sent with your shipment.

Regardless of you status on arrival into New Zealand, alcohol, cigarettes, cigars and tobacco arriving separately from yourself will incur duty and GST.  Where proof can be provided that the wine is part of a collection, these duties and taxes will not be incurred.  Heirlooms can be imported by New Zealand domiciled residents as long as it can be proved that it is a genuine bequest and that the recipient is a legal beneficiary by either supplying a will, testamentary declaration or a letter from the solicitor or trustee handling the estate.

PROHIBITED IMPORTS:  The following items are prohibited into New Zealand including but not limited to: objectionable (indecent) material reproduced on video tapes, films, records, CD-ROM’s or DVD’s.  Controlled drugs of any kind including LSD, heroin, cocaine, cannabis and cannabis/drug paraphernalia (whether used or not), ecstasy, steroids, or performance-enhancing drugs.  Prescription medicines are restricted and you will need to provide evidence that they were prescribed to you by a medical practitioner and be in their original container.

Further Information can be obtained at:  www.maf.govt.nz

                                                    www.maf.govt.nz/sea-container-review

Any information above is to be used as a general guide only and is subject to change with or without notice.  We strongly recommend you contact the applicable authorities directly. (Revised March 2004)