Personal Travellers

On your journey to New Zealand, you may be shown a 'Declare or Dispose' in-flight video or cruise ship video explaining biosecurity entry requirements.

When you arrive in New Zealand, you will need to go through an entry process. This will involve immigration, customs and biosecurity checks.

You will receive a Passenger Arrival Card on arrival in New Zealand that all air passengers must complete. Travelers arriving by sea should refer to the Ships and Vessels section for procedures they will follow.

If you have any prohibited or restricted goods you no longer wish to keep, put them in the amnesty bins provided at the airport's arrivals area or declare them on your Passenger Arrival Card. The bins are usually your last opportunity to throw away restricted goods before entering MAF's Biosecurity Area. Failure to declare restricted goods can lead to a $200 instant fine or prosecution. More information about fines.

Our qualified MAF Biosecurity Inspectors may be the first New Zealand representatives you meet. It is normal for travellers to see and be questioned by people in uniform. You may also see our Inspectors accompanied by one of our MAF Biosecurity New Zealand Detector Dogs. They are trained to sniff out any prohibited items that you may be carrying. Your bags will also go through an x-ray machine and may be searched to identify any biosecurity restricted goods on arrival into New Zealand. The X-ray units use a very low radiation level and are completely safe. They do not affect photographic film, medications, foodstuffs or pregnant women.

Additional information about requirements for items you may wish to bring into the country is available in Your Belongings.

A theme for those arriving for a visit is - if in doubt, Declare It. If you break the law by continuing to carry any prohibited items without declaring them, under New Zealand law you will be fined. Our qualified inspectors will respond to your enquiries as soon as possible. For general enquiries phone +64 9 909 8614 - this number is staffed 7 days a week - or email your enquiries to MAFBNZ Clearance. Information is also available from your travel agent.

Page last updated: 12 November 2008