What You Must Declare

All food items brought into New Zealand need to be declared. These items include:

• Meat
• Eggs
• Dairy products
• Dried mushrooms & fungi
• Honey and honey products
• Seeds for human consumption and processing into food
• Nuts, spices, herbs and un-popped popcorn
• Dried, cooked or preserved fruit and vegetables
• Fresh fruit or vegetables

Import health standards are in place for many food items. The import health standards detail any certification or treatment requirements required for an item prior to import, as well as any requirements on arrival in New Zealand. Some food items only require inspection on arrival; others have no certification or inspection requirements at all.

If you are importing food items, you will need to follow the rules and regulations for Importing. New Zealand Food Safety Authority has additional information on importing Gifts and food for personal consumption .

Whether fresh or dried, living or dead, large or small, common or rare, all plant material must be declared. Items may require treatment or an import permit, and some products will not be allowed to be imported at all. Examples of plants and plant products that must be declared include:

• Dried flowers
• Items made of bamboo, cane, rattan, coconut, straw
• Items made of wood, e.g. drums, carvings, spears, masks, utensils or tools
• Pine cones
• Corn and straw souvenirs, including items stuffed with seeds and straw
• Herbal medicines, health supplements and homeopathic remedies

If you intend to bring any of the following items into New Zealand, you must comply with the requirements for Importing Plants. Additional information may be found by clicking on the link for the item you wish to bring into the country.

• Nursery stock (including whole plants, cuttings, bulbs and tissue cultures)
• Seeds for Sowing
• Seeds for Processing and Human Consumption
• Fresh Cut Flowers and Foliage
• Forest and Wood Products
• Fruit and Vegetables
• Plant Products (including dried herbs, nuts and plant extracts)
• Micro-Organisms, Micro-Biologicals and Laboratory Specimens

Live animals can be carriers of pests and diseases. You will need correct documentation when bringing in live animals, which will depend on the type of animal and where it is coming from. For specific information about bringing cats and dogs into New Zealand, please refer to Your Pets

See Importing - Animals for additional information on entry conditions are described within the specific Import Health Standard.

Animal products will need to be inspected and may require treatment or permits. Some items will not be allowed into New Zealand. Consult the relevant Import Health Standard of the Importing Animals section of this site.

Animal products such as:

• Shells
• Oriental/Chinese medicine
• Animal skin items
• Wooden Masks with animal fur or hair
• Wooden Drums
• Feathers
• Eggs
• Honey and Honey Products - NOTE: Honey may be permitted from certain Pacific Island nations with suitable accompanying documentation (contact MAFBNZ Clearance)
• Second-hand saddles
• Ivory, turtle shell items, clam shells, coral and products made from snakeskin or whalebone. Many of these items are covered by the CITES agreement .

• Fishing and water activity equipment - When you enter New Zealand you will need to declare all freshwater activity equipment. This includes life vests, dive suits, water vessels and all fishing equipment such as rods, reels, tackle boxes, nets and waders. Any non-artificial material for fly tying will need to meet the Import Health Standard for Feathers.
• Sea Shells - Many sea shells are allowed into New Zealand but some require documentation under the CITES agreement . These shells include the Queen Conch shell, clam shells and coral.
• Water – for human consumption, religious purposes or laboratory analysis may be imported under the requirements for Soil, rock, gravel, sand, clay, peat and water.
• Ballast Water - No ballast water from another country’s waters is to be emptied into New Zealand waters without the permission of an inspector. Please refer to Ballast water from all countries and Guide to New Zealand Ballast Water Control for more information.
• Seaweed and algae – when imported for human consumption, these must meet the entry requirements for Plant Products.
• Micro-organisms - each request to import Micro-Organisms is assessed on a case by case basis.
• Aquarium plants or seeds - must meet the entry requirements for Seeds for Sowing or Nursery Stock.

Other goods imported into New Zealand that could introduce pests, diseases or unwanted organisms. These items must comply with Import Health Standards.

Non-Biological Items

• Containers and Cargo - For specific requirements and information about air and sea freight, see Standards and Regulations, Containers and Cargo

Vehicles and Machinery

• Vehicles and Machinery - If you are importing a used vehicle, it will need to be inspected for soil, plant material, insects and other contaminants and cleaned if necessary. Any used vehicles not in a container will be inspected on arrival. Vehicles arriving in a container will be inspected at an approved transitional facility.
• You will need to meet the Import Health Standard for used vehicles. This includes any:
  • Cars, vans and utility vehicles
  • Used vehicles
  • Agricultural and forestry machinery
  • Used tyres

If the vehicle is to be used on the road, Land Transport New Zealand (LTNZ) will inspect the vehicle. LTNZ will record the odometer reading, confirm the identity number and look for any structural damage to ensure it is roadworthy.

• Soil, rock, gravel, sand, clay, peat and water - Items contaminated with soil must be properly cleaned prior to arrival. Quantities of soil and other non-organic material may be imported specifically for chemical or physical analysis as Laboratory Specimens.
• Bulk fertiliser
• Equipment or items associated with Animals and Water
• Novelty items - Some novelty items contain animal dung that can carry pests and diseases.

These items must be declared on your Passenger Arrival Card . Items might be inspected on arrival and should be packed in an easily accessible place.

• Tents - Before you enter New Zealand, make sure your tent is clean inside and outside (including underneath the floor). The pegs and poles will also need to be cleaned and free of soil and organic material.
• Footwear - All hiking and sporting footwear should be properly cleaned prior to arrival.
• Camp foods - Any heat-and-eat meals, dehydrated meals and milk powder will need to meet the Import Health Standard for Specified Foods for Human Consumption Containing Animal Products.
• Fishing and Water Activity Equipment - Saltwater fishing equipment is permitted entry.
  All freshwater activity equipment such as life vests, dive suits and water vessels, as well as fishing equipment including rods, reels, tackle boxes, nets and waders should be clean and free of organic residue. See Check, Clean, Dry for instructions on cleaning this equipment. These items must comply with the conditions of the following Import Health Standard.
  Fishing flies are permitted entry but all non-artificial material for fly tying must comply with the conditions of the Import Health Standard for Feathers.

New Zealand is party to the CITES agreement . It covers items such as ivory, turtle shell artifacts, clam shells, coral, products made from snakeskin or whalebone and some Chinese medicines. Plants, animals or products covered by the agreement are not allowed into New Zealand, except with a special permit issued by the Department of Conservation .

Many endangered species are being driven to extinction to make souvenirs. By supporting the CITES agreement and deciding not to buy goods made from endangered species, you can help save these rare plants and animals.

If you want to import a plant species that is new to New Zealand you must apply to the Environmental Risk Management Agency (ERMA).