Customs requirements

The New Zealand Customs Service(external link) protects New Zealand's borders. Its job is to make sure that all goods and people entering and exiting New Zealand do so according to New Zealand laws and regulations.

The New Zealand Customs Service website provides information on:

• Travel to and from NZ(external link) – for travellers planning to visit, or return home, to NZ.
• Arriving in New Zealand(external link) – completing a New Zealand Traveller Declaration.
• Prohibited and restricted items(external link) – items you can't bring into NZ, or which require approval to import.
• Duty free shopping allowances(external link) – the duty and GST you may need to pay on items you bring into NZ.
• Moving to NZ permanently(external link) – bringing your household contents, vehicles, pets and animals to NZ.
• Importing goods (personal)(external link) – the duty and GST that may apply to items you import into NZ.
• Importing goods (business)(external link) – import documentation, clearance and requirements.

The Ministry for Primary Industries(external link) (MPI) looks after New Zealand's biosecurity system. Their work includes: facilitating international trade, protecting the health of New Zealanders and ensuring the welfare of our environment, flora and fauna, marine life and Maori resources.

MPI's Biosecurity NZ website(external link) provides information on:

• What you must declare(external link) – including information about filling in your New Zealand Traveller Declaration.
• Bringing your pet to New Zealand(external link) – what you need to do when importing or exporting pets.
• Bringing goods into New Zealand(external link) – the biosecurity requirements that must be met before your goods are cleared to enter NZ.

Importation of prescription medication

Information about the importation of medicines can be found on the New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority (Medsafe) website(external link).

NZeTA - a new travel requirement for visitors to NZ

The New Zealand Government has introduced a new travel requirement for some transit passengers. It’s called the NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) and travellers need to request theirs via the official mobile app or website.

Colombian and Ecuadorian passport holders transiting through New Zealand on their way to another country need an NZeTA before they board their plane.

Approval can take up to 72 hours, so get it before you go. Visit the official government website Immigration New Zealand – NZeTA(external link) or mobile app (search for NZeTA on your phone).

Colombian and Ecuadorean passport holders travelling to New Zealand will need a visa. For information on this process visit Immigration New Zealand – Visa options(external link).