Receive items from overseas

"Where's my parcel?"

To find out where your parcel is, you need to contact NZ Post, the courier, fast freight or shipping company. Customs does not store or track goods, and we cannot trace your parcel.

"What's my duty?"

The What’s My Duty? tool can help you estimate any Customs charges and taxes.

If you are bringing items into New Zealand for commercial reasons, for example to sell or for a business, you need to contact a Customs broker who will liaise with Customs on your behalf.

Rules for importing tobacco

The rules for importing tobacco have recently changed, and a permit is now required to bring or receive any tobacco into NZ, including gifts. Please visit the tobacco page for full details of the new requirements.

Items that cost NZ$1000 or less

If you're bringing items to New Zealand from overseas that cost NZ$1000 or less, you don't have to pay anything to Customs, as GST is collected when you purchase your items. There's nothing else that you must do for your items to arrive.

However, we do charge Duty and GST for alcohol and tobacco products regardless of value.

Customs rates of exchange

If you buy or are sent an item from overseas and the amount declared is not in New Zealand currency, the amount must be converted into New Zealand dollars at a fair rate of exchange.

Rates of exchange used by Customs are set for a two-week period and are published 11 days in advance. These rates may differ slightly from the currency rates published by trading banks.

The rate of exchange will be applied at the date an entry has been made. This happens on the day an electronic clearance for your goods has been submitted to Customs. 

Note: the rate of exchange will not be applied to the date of purchase or the date when your goods have arrived in New Zealand.

View current rates of exchange

Online items that cost more than NZ$1000

If you buy items from overseas for over NZ$1000, we collect GST and/or Duty and you must apply for a Customs Number.

Step 1

Order items for over NZ$1000, arrange transport to NZ and apply for a Customs Number (Client Code).

Step 2

The company that has transported your items will contact you when those items arrive in New Zealand.

Step 3

Email service.delivery@customs.govt.nz with the following:

• A completed copy of NZCS 263: Bring General Items into NZ as a Private Individual (PDF, 336 KB)
• A copy of your photo ID
• Proof of purchase
• Shipping document (Air Waybill/Bill of Lading)
• Notice or letter from your transport company (courier company, NZ Post etc.) that your parcel has arrived in New Zealand.

Alternatively you can contact a Customs broker to manage the process for you at your own cost.

Step 4

Customs will issue you an invoice based on the Customs Value, which is the cost of the item in New Zealand Dollars (NZD), as well as the cost of shipping and any insurance. This charge will be made up of:

• 15% GST
• Duty if required, this depends on where your item is from and what it is
• Visit the Goods Clearance Fees webpage for the IETF
• Visit the MPI website for Biosecurity System Entry Levy

Step 5

Pay your bill

Step 6

Once you have paid, your transport company will receive automatic notification that your goods can be delivered to you.

False or incomplete declarations

You are responsible for the information on Customs declarations being correct.

Please be aware that some websites may offer to declare an incorrect value for your item on the Customs declaration, so you can avoid paying GST or duty.

If the sender gives incorrect information or doesn’t make a declaration, your item could be delayed and investigated. In some cases, we may seize your item, and you will have to pay extra charges.

You may also face criminal charges for knowingly making a false declaration.

Some items aren’t allowed to be brought into New Zealand

Please look at the full list of prohibited and restricted imports.

Examples of prohibited items include:

• luxury goods of Russian origin including vodka, truffles, seafood , precious stones, 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 Russia origin
• some dog breeds
• dog-tracking collars
• objectionable material
• equipment for using cannabis or methamphetamine.

Other items need permission before you can bring them in. Examples of items that require a permit to import include:

• tyres
• weapons
• diamonds
• radioactive materials
• plant and animal products, including food and accessories.

Returns, repair and replacement goods

Returns

If you return an item that cost NZ$1000 or less, contact the company you purchased it from for a refund.

Repairs

You don't need to pay duty/GST on more than NZ$1000:

• The item is being returned to you following repairs overseas
• The repairs were under warranty.

You may need to pay GST on any cost you incurred, such as associated freight and insurance costs.  You will need to provide proof of repair costs, such as:

• An invoice showing it is the same item returning
• Any cost involved with the repairs.

Replacements

If a supplier sends replacement goods:

• Customs will treat the two consignments separately within our refund and import processes.
• Replacement goods will be treated as a new import.
• The goods will incur duty/GST and an Import Entry Transaction Fee (IETF). 
• You may qualify for a refund on the returned goods – see Duty and GST Refunds.