Medicines
Any prescription medicines or controlled drugs must be declared on your arrival into New Zealand.
If you are carrying prescription medicines or controlled drugs you should:
- have a prescription from your physician advising that the medicine is being used under a doctor’s direction and is necessary for your physical well-being
- carry the drugs in their original containers
- have sufficient quantity not exceeding three months' supply for prescription medicines or one month supply for controlled drugs.
Due to the above condition it is not recommended that you import personal medicines into New Zealand as unaccompanied goods via air, mail, or sea freight.
It is important to note that some medicines that can be purchased over the counter overseas must have a prescription in New Zealand, so if you have any medicines, and are unsure about whether they are subject to prescription in New Zealand or not – declare them.
Further information regarding the importation of medicines can be obtained either from
Medsafe at
www.medsafe.govt.nz or by phoning +64 9 257 5704.
Further information regarding the importation of controlled drugs can be obtained from the
Ministry of Health at
www.moh.govt.nz or by phoning +64 4 819 6855.