Sailing to New Zealand this small craft season

Documents you’ll need pre arrival

• Advance Notice of Arrival (NZCS 340) – submit at least 48 hours before arrival.
• NZ Traveller Declaration – this is free and must be done prior to arrival.
• Copies of all passenger and crew passports.
• Vessel registration, recent photo of vessel, and a Bill of Sale (preferred)
• Complete NZCS 224A (apply for a Customs number as a private individual) 
• NZ Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) – if you are a visitor, you may need one. There is a cost; for more information, visit Immigration NZ’s website.

Documents you’ll need on arrival

• Complete the C1B inward report (PDF) – on arrival or within 24 hours of arrival.
• If you are carrying more that NZD$10,000, you must submit a Border Cash Report.
• Please refer to Ministry for Primary Industries, Masters Declaration form (must be an original form and not completed online), and please refer to MPI's website for other biosecurity requirements. 
• You may need a Temporary Import Entry (TIE). TIE is for small craft and superyachts who will genuinely be in New Zealand for a temporary period (for example, over the Southern Hemisphere summer) as long as the craft won’t be sold, gifted, or used commercially while in New Zealand.  If a security deposit is required, it is refundable provided the small craft is exported within the approved timeframe and all conditions are met.

Approved ports of entry

• Opua Marine Park, Ōpua
• Marsden Cove Marina, Whangārei
• Auckland
  • Westhaven Marina (for vessels under 22m)
  • Viaduct Harbour and Silo Park Marina (for superyachts) - bookings required
• Port Marlborough, Picton (including Waikawa Marina)
• Nelson Port, Te Ana Marina
• Port of Christchurch, Lyttelton.

When you are ready to depart

• There are forms you need to submit when departing, including your C2B, Advanced Notice of Departure which must be submitted to Customs at least 4 hours before you wish to depart.  Send to yachts@customs.govt.nz or contact your local Customs office at port of departure. For more information on other forms, head to: Travel to and from New Zealand by small craft.

To help keep New Zealand safe and beautiful, please abide by the following

• You must fly the international quarantine flag when you enter the 12 nautical mile limit of New Zealand, until you are given arrival clearance.
• Know what you need to declare. Items to be wary of include, drug utensils, certain weapons, firearms, lasers, Russian luxury goods. See more on prohibited and restricted goods.
• Personal medication: Bring a doctor’s letter and original packaging, you can carry up to a 3-month supply (6 months for contraceptives). More on medicines
• Some medicines are considered controlled drugs. You must have a prescription, and you cannot be bringing them in for someone else.  You may carry a one-month supply. More information on controlled drugs
• Remember that some items such as pounamu and some artefacts over 50 years old are protected and may require a permit to export.Prohibited and restricted exports.

Thank you for playing your part in helping to keep Aotearoa, New Zealand safe and beautiful. 

For further detail on what you need to know when heading to New Zealand, head to: Travel to and from New Zealand by small craft 

Direct biosecurity questions to:

info@mpi.govt.nz
0800 222 018 
if overseas, +64 800 222 018 or +64 4 830 1574