On arrival

If you are a visitor to New Zealand ...
We extend you a warm welcome. We hope that your stay is a pleasant one and that you come again.

If you are an immigrant to New Zealand...
Welcome to your new home.

To all returning New Zealanders...
Welcome home.

The information below is to help you with Customs formalities on your arrival or departure from New Zealand. Reading, understanding, and complying with the requirements set out below will help you minimise the time spent attending to customs formalities. If there is anything you are not sure about, contact any of our Customs offices, or any Customs officer when you arrive. 

Declarations

Before you arrive you will receive a New Zealand Passenger Arrival Card. You must tick ‘yes’ in the Customs section of your arrival card if you are bringing into New Zealand:

• goods that may be prohibited or restricted, such as weapons, objectionable (indecent) articles, or illicit drugs More info
• goods in excess of the $700 allowance and the tobacco and alcoholic beverages allowance More info
• goods for commercial, business, or trade purposes More info
• goods carried on behalf of another person
• NZ$10,000 or more, or the equivalent in foreign currency More info.

You do not have to declare your clothing, footwear, jewellery, and toiletries – these are regarded as “personal effects” if intended solely for your own use.

Please have any purchase receipts readily available.

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Screening point

You may not leave the arrival hall until you have completed all Immigration, Customs and MAF Biosecurity formalities. A Customs officer may request that you remain in the arrival hall until he/she is satisfied that all statutory requirements have been completed.

After clearing passport control and collecting your baggage you should proceed to the exit.

An MAF Biosecurity or Customs officer will be on hand to assess your declaration. If you are unsure about declaring an item, please ask an officer at the exit for direction.

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Baggage search

Customs officers may search the baggage of any passenger. A baggage search may also be requested by the MAF Biosecurity officer.

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Commercial goods

If you are carrying commercial goods, goods for resale or goods for use in your business they may be subject to duty and goods and services tax (GST). You must declare these goods (regardless of value) on your arrival card or to a Customs officer.

If goods are intended for temporary importation, you may have to arrange security to cover duty and GST, pending re-export. New Zealand accepts ATA Carnets as security for the temporary importation of commercial samples, advertising material, and certain other materials and equipment. Please enquire at your local Chamber of Commerce for further details of the ATA Carnet system.

Customs clearance is required for the importation and exportation of all commercial goods whether you hand-carry them, send them as unaccompanied luggage, or send them separately by air or sea. All commercial exports must have the clearance completed prior to departure. Commercial imports may have the Customs clearance completed either before or after arrival.

If clearance has not been obtained prior to travel, the goods will be held until a clearance has been arranged. For further information check out our website or contact your local Customs office.

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Use of electronic communication devices

The use of electronic communication devices is not permitted within certain parts of the Customs passenger processing area. Signage is erected in the affected areas and this will indicate the type of devices that should not be used. If you are in any doubt as to where in the arrival or departure areas you may be able to use your mobile phone or similar, please ask a Customs officer.

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