If you break the law

There is no law against bringing quarantine goods into the country as long as you declare them.

If you declare articles, your goods will be inspected, treated if necessary and returned if considered safe. Prohibited goods such as fruit and vegetables, meat, animal products, seeds, plants and other items may be re-shipped or destroyed.

MAFBNZ Clearance Officers, assisted by an X-ray machine and Detector Dogs, check all parcels entering New Zealand at the International Mail Centre. There are regular interceptions of risk goods. Recipients of restricted items are given the option of having goods treated and returned to them at their expense.

The mail may also be opened for inspection by MAF staff.

New Zealand is a small island country, known for its lush vegetation, fruit crops, sheep, cattle and deer farming and natural beauty. Less than 10 percent of the world's pests and diseases occur here. Because we are an island nation, dependent on our environment as a major part of our economy, the introduction of just one new pest or disease could have devastating consequences.