New Zealand has strict customs rules when compared to many other countries. Pests, seeds, and foreign materials can disrupt the country's precious biodiversity. New Zealand has tight customs borders and restricts many items from importation.
To ship personal items by sea or air to New Zealand, you’ll need to complete some forms supplied by MPI - the agency responsible for primary industries. Make sure to fill out an unaccompanied personal baggage form from the New Zealand Customs website. Many providers will supply the documents you need to get your items into the country if you use a shipping or air freight company.
Make sure you know what’s in your luggage. You’ll have to supply a packing list of items you are transporting into New Zealand. Create your list as you are packing your boxes or bags.
Your shipping forwarder will contact you when your items arrive in New Zealand. You will still have to email customs with:
The company that has transported your items will contact you when your items arrive in NZ. Once your items have arrived, you can then email customs with a copy of your:
New Zealand has strict import rules due to its unique flora and fauna. There are around 70,000 endemic species in the country. Household items that contain foreign plants, woods, or materials could carry harmful diseases, seeds, pests, or hidden viruses that can disrupt New Zealand’s delicate ecosystem.
A biosecurity declaration form isn’t mandatory. Nonetheless, it helps customs inspect and approve your items more easily. Non-completion may result in an inspection that could cost you money.
Take care when packing any equipment containing food or natural materials or items used for camping, gardening or outdoor recreation. Customs will dispose of any dirty equipment.
You can bring items in with you in your checked baggage. Make sure you declare any equipment, materials, or articles on your arrival card. You’ll need to get them inspected by customs on your arrival.
Whether you’re flying with your packages or shipping them over, some items are prohibited by customs. These include:
You will need to declare any packages that include any natural foods, plant materials, animal materials (including hunting trophies), dried flowers, wood, seeds, straw, bamboo, and any items containing unprocessed wool or feathers. For a complete list of items, check out MPI’s list here.
Ensure all your camping, gardening, outdoor or recreational equipment is clean and free of dirt, seeds, sand or other foreign materials. If an item requires treatment before customs can let it into the country, you will have to pay for this service. Any goods that you cannot import will be destroyed or reshipped back to you.
Think carefully about whether it’s worth shipping your items to New Zealand. Camping equipment is generally expensive in New Zealand, and it’s always a good idea to bring quality items in with you. However, items made from foreign materials may get stopped at the border, and you may end up paying for the expense of having them inspected.
Watch out for seemingly harmless items like pet accessories, saddles and riding equipment or vacuum cleaners. These items are in contact with animals and animal dander and need to be declared.
To bring your cat or dog to New Zealand they must meet specific health standards. These differ depending on what country you and your pet are travelling from. Importing a pet from another country is expensive and can take a long time. Make sure you do your homework and leave enough time to get your paperwork done.
New Zealand has three classifications for importing cats and dogs:
Full details of how to import your pet from overseas are listed on the MPI website.
Getting your personal items shipped to New Zealand will take some time and effort. The good news is that finding a trusted mover once your goods reach New Zealand is simple.
Wise Move helps you find the best movers for your delivery at an affordable price. Get moving quotes from trusted movers from anywhere to anywhere in New Zealand. Book your next move or man with a van today.
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