Entering New Zealand FAQs
Items which could pose a risk include meat and meat products, eggs and egg products, dairy products, animal products such as wool, hides, hunting trophies, soil, seeds and plants, second-hand saddlery, animal remedies, some Chinese medicines, used vehicles, farm machinery and contaminated containers.
All wood products imported into New Zealand will be inspected on arrival in New Zealand for pests, evidence of pest infestation, or for unwanted organic contamination such as soil or bark.
Wood found to be contaminated with pests or soil or bark will need to be treated (if you want the items to enter New Zealand), re-shipped (sent back) or destroyed (incinerated). The treatment will depend on the contaminant found (e.g. fumigation for insects or bark, heat treatment for fungi).
Fumigation is mandatory for products made from or containing cane or bamboo.
Quarantine Officers, assisted by an X-ray machine and detector dog, inspect all parcels entering New Zealand at the International Mail Centre. There are regular interceptions of risk goods, which include fresh produce, seeds, plants and straw items. Recipients of restricted items are given the option of having goods treated and returned to them at their expense.
New Zealand is now party to a world-wide agreement designed to prevent trade in endangered, threatened or exploited species. It covers items such as ivory, turtle shell artefacts, clam shells, coral and products made from snakeskin or whalebone. Plants, animals or products covered by the agreement can no longer be brought into New Zealand, except with a special permit issued by the Department of Conservation.
All wood products imported into New Zealand will be inspected on arrival in New Zealand for pests, evidence of pest infestation, or for unwanted organic contamination such as soil or bark.
Wood found to be contaminated with pests or soil or bark will need to be treated (if you want the items to enter New Zealand), re-shipped (sent back) or destroyed (incinerated). The treatment will depend on the contaminant found (e.g. fumigation for insects or bark, heat treatment for fungi).
Fumigation is mandatory for products made from or containing cane or bamboo.
All wood packaging material imported into New Zealand will be inspected on arrival in New Zealand for pests, evidence of pest infestation, for unwanted organic contamination such as soil or bark, o
Because there are so many different types of food and animals products please contact MAF Biosecurity New Zealand Clearance Service directly.
Travellers sometimes think there is no quarantine risk when they bring back souvenirs that are commercially wrapped. This is not the case. Items such as pot-pourri can harbour pests and seeds. Depending on what's in the mixture, it may be allowed in after treatment at the owner's expense.
New Zealand produce, once it leaves this country, is exposed to pests or diseases in a foreign country. By bringing it back to New Zealand, there is a risk that the produce has been contaminated and would introduce such pests as fruit fly.
Yes. Cooked items such as cakes are of no quarantine significance.