Prohibited and restricted items
Some items are prohibited which means you can’t bring or import these into New Zealand. There are some restricted items which require approval to import or export.
You can’t bring or import any of these items into New Zealand:
- objectionable material contained on items such as mobile phones, USB devices, videotapes, films, records, CD-ROMs and in publications
- equipment for smoking or taking drugs including certain cannabis or methamphetamine utensils and vaporisers
- some firearms and weapons such as flick knives, butterfly knives, swordsticks, and knuckle dusters
- small high powered magnets, such as “buckyballs”
- sunscreen which does not meet the Australia/New Zealand standard
- anything which you’re planning to use in a crime involving dishonesty.
You need a permit or an exemption to import these items:
- species that are protected under the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)
- carnivorous plants
- firearms and ammunition
- luxury goods of Russian origin including vodka, truffles, seafood, precious stones of any value, and other luxury goods of Russian origin worth more than $1000 including clothing, footwear and personal electronics. This prohibition applies to goods made in Russia, no matter where they are sold online or shipped from
- gold of Russian origin
- oil, gas and coal of Russian origin
- handheld high power laser pointers.
You may not be able to bring some medicines or controlled drugs into New Zealand. Find out more on our medicines page.
Prohibited and restricted exports
Some items are prohibited or restricted – you may not be able to take them out of New Zealand without a permit or consent, or at all. These include:
- pounamu (greenstone) in its natural state
- paua meat
- wildlife
- protected objects covered by the Protected Objects Act.
If you aren’t sure whether you can take something out of New Zealand, please contact us.