New Zealand Customs & Quarantine Prohibited Items

These items are strictly prohibited from entering New Zealand and will be seized at the port of entry. They pose a risk to the biosecurity of the country and are therefore banned.

• Fresh Fruit and Vegetables

  Almost all fruits and vegetables are strictly banned from entering New Zealand due to strict biosecurity laws. This includes apples, citrus, berries, leafy greens, and root vegetables. You may be permitted to bring fresh fruit and vegetables if you are a commercial importer with biosecurity clearance from the Ministry for Primary Industries.

• Honey and Bee Products

  Honey is a high biosecurity risk in New Zealand and therefore honey and bee products are strictly prohibited. This includes honey, royal jelly, propolis, beeswax, and other bee products.

• All Types of Meats

  Raw, processed and cooked meats are all strictly prohibited, including beef, pork, poultry, lamb, venison, game meats, and seafood. This also includes processed meats such as smoked, dried, cured, salted, and fermented meats. Cooked meats, meat soups or stocks and pet food containing meat are also all banned.

• Animal Remains

  Bones, skins, antlers or any animal remains are strictly banned. You would need to treat them and get approval from the Ministry for Primary Industries in order to bring these.

• Firearms

  There are strict regulations on bringing firearms into New Zealand. Most semi-automatic and automatic firearms are strictly banned unless you are a licensed hunter or pest controller with a specialised permit. Pistols and revolvers are also banned unless for licensed pistol club members. Ammunition, explosives, certain knives, pepper spray and other weapons are prohibited.

• Drugs and Equipment

  All recreational drugs, including cannabis, are illegal in New Zealand and therefore prohibited from entering. Cannabis or methamphetamine utensils and vaporisers are strictly banned.

• Soil and Sand

  Soil and sand are strictly prohibited from entering New Zealand due to the high biosecurity risks they pose. This includes any items that may be contaminated with sand or soil such as outdoor gear. It’s recommended to inspect any personal clothing items and clean them before packing them, making sure they are declared for safety reasons.

These items can be brought into New Zealand without having to be declared. If in doubt, always research the items you have specific concerns about.

• Cash

  You can bring up to NZD $10,000 or the equivalent in another currency into New Zealand without declaring it. Any amount over this must be declared.

• Alcohol and Tobacco

  You can bring up to 4.5 litres of wine or beer and 3 1.125 litre bottles of spirits without having to declare them. You can also bring up to 50 cigarettes or 50 grams of tobacco. Anything above these limits must be declared.

• Prescription Medicines

  You can bring up to 3 months' supply of prescription medication to New Zealand without declaring. You must have a copy of the prescription and the medicine must be in its original packaging.

• Personal items

  Clothes, shoes, toiletries, perfume, air freshener and other personal items such as phones, laptops and cameras do not need to be declared.

• Dry Food

  You can bring small quantities of dry food such as sandwiches, nuts and biscuits provided it’s for consumption during travel. You can also bring chocolate and sweets without needing to declare.

• Baby Food

  Baby food such as formula or sealed baby food that is commercially packaged can be brought without declaration. It must not contain dairy that is classed as high-risk or meat.