Commercial Vessels on Arrival

• All vessels
• Cruise ships
• Crew and passengers

All vessels

All ships arriving in New Zealand must report to a MAFBNZ and NZ Customs approved place of first arrival and a Customs place, namely:

• Whangarei/Opua
• Auckland
• Tauranga
• New Plymouth
• Gisborne
• Napier
• Wellington
• Nelson
• Picton
• Lyttelton
• Dunedin
• Bluff.

A Master's Declaration (relating to any meat or meat products) should already have been filled out.

The MAF Biosecurity New Zealand Clearance Officer will need to:

• Meet with the Captain and complete documents
• Inspect galleys, and all provision areas
• Examine animals, aquarium fish, reptiles and birds if present
• Assess and inspect vessel refuse system
• Inspect all dunnage, wood packaging, pallets and timber
• Inspect bicycles and sports gear for landing or use in New Zealand
• Inspect any baggage or belongings of specified passengers and landing crew.
• Inspect ships logs relating to ballast water

Risk items that are either restricted or prohibited entry for landing may include:

• Food
• Live animals and items of animal origin
• Vessel refuse (please ensure that refuse is not disposed of within New Zealand territorial waters, and is only landed via the MAF approved refuse system at the port)
• Plants and items of plant material
• Sporting equipment, e.g. golf shoes and bikes
• CITES items (endangered species such as clam and conch shells, coral, turtle shells and ivory)

• Requirements for incineration/sterilisation facilities

This list is not exhaustive. If you are uncertain declare it.

Cruise ships

The requirements for Cruise Vessels are the same as for all other commercial vessels as listed above.

Announcement

The ship's Purser should broadcast the following announcement over the ship's public address system, including the crew accommodation area before any passengers or crew go ashore, and regularly while they are disembarking:

"Passengers and crew are requested to present their hand luggage for inspection to the MAF Biosecurity New Zealand Clearance Officers stationed at the gangway. MAF Biosecurity New Zealand detector dogs may also be used

Items that cannot be removed from the vessel include:

• Fresh fruit and vegetables
• Meat of any kind
• Prepared meals including sandwiches
• Dairy products
• Honey
• Any other consumable food item
• Flowers, seeds or plants

Only commercially bottled drinking water is permitted to leave the vessel without the permission of the MAF Biosecurity New Zealand Clearance Officer.

New Zealand Biosecurity Regulations prohibit the removal of ship's stores from the vessel. Talk to a Clearance Officer if you have any queries. Thank you."

NOTE: If passengers and crew are from a non-English speaking background the Clearance message should be broadcast in the appropriate language as well as English.

Crew and passengers

Be aware and ensure:

Garbage

• Covered/secure on the vessel at all times
• Collected daily
• Not thrown overboard in NZ territorial waters

Ships Stores

• Not permitted ashore
• MAF seals must not be broken

Animals

• Not permitted ashore
• NZ animals not allowed on vessel

Plants/Timber/Dunnage

• Requires Quarantine inspection and clearance

Personal Baggage

• Requires Quarantine inspection and clearance

New Zealand Customs Service

Commercial vessels' master or their agents are required to supply specific information at least 48 hours prior to the vessel's arrival into New Zealand.

This information can be provided on the New Zealand Advance Notice of Arrival form and must be sent to: 

• The New Zealand Customs Service at the first port at which the vessel is to arrive (or to the New Zealand Customs Service office nearest to that Port); and
• The Customs Intelligence Centre, The New Zealand Customs Service, Christchurch.

   

More information on Customs requirements is available on the Customs web site at www.customs.govt.nz.

Comments/enquires: The Border Agencies welcome your comments in relation to arrivals in New Zealand.

Phone 0800 428 786 during business hours or Fax: 09 359 6730 or email feedback@customs.govt.nz

Ministry of Health

The Advance Notice of Arrival replaces all other methods for requesting radio pratique as required by Regulation 10 of the New Zealand Health (Quarantine) Regulations 1983. As the notice is required by other agencies 48 hours before the estimated arrival time, a "no change of status report" relating to health information (that may have been provided on the notice) is needed at least 12 hours (and not earlier than 24 hours) before estimated arrival. This confirms that the health status of the crew has not changed. The "no change of status report" can be made by radio, phone, fax or email depending what suits the local situation.

Please send the completed Advance Notice of Arrival form to the Health Protection Officer at your nearest Public Health Service.

Area / Port contact details for MAFBNZ Clearance Service, Customs, Maritime Safety Authority District Office,  and Public Health.