Bringing alcohol, cigarettes, tobacco, drugs, and medicines to NZ | NZ Government

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For individuals Mā te takitahi

For businesses Mā ngā pakihi

Choose from this list:
Alcohol
Cigarettes and tobacco
Medication, Drugs, and Supplements
Veterinary medicines and supplements accompanying imported animals

Alcohol

Examples:	Spirits, bourbon, vodka, gin, whiskey, egg liqueur, advocaat, avocet, advoket, wine, beer, honey mead
Allowed if:	It is clean and free of biosecurity contamination like bugs, soil, or disease. Note: If it contains chicken egg yolk it must also be commercially manufactured and packaged, in its original unopened packaging, at least 14% alcohol, and must not require refrigeration. If it contains bee products it must also be commercially manufactured and packaged, be honey mead or labelled at least 20% alcohol, and the total quantity of the consignment must be 3 bottles or fewer.
Extra tips:	Check duty-free limits – NZ Customs Service Check allowances and charges – NZ Customs Service Some alcohol items are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), like alcohol containing snake. They may require CITES documentation to be imported or may be prohibited. Find out about CITES – Department of Conservation
Declare the item?	Yes
Inspection required?	Yes
Clearance guaranteed?	No Check our legal disclaimer to find out why we can't guarantee clearance

Cigarettes and tobacco

Examples:	Cigarettes, tobacco packets, e-cigarettes
Allowed if:	It is clean and free of biosecurity contamination like bugs, soil, or disease.
Extra tip:	Check duty-free limits – NZ Customs Service Check allowances and charges – NZ Customs Service
Declare the item?	Yes
Inspection required?	Yes
Clearance guaranteed?	No Check our legal disclaimer to find out why we can't guarantee clearance

Medication, Drugs, and Supplements

Examples:	Fish oil tablets, vitamins, supplements, capsules, homeopathic drops, CBD oil
Allowed if:	It is commercially manufactured and packaged, in its original packaging, and is clean and free of biosecurity contamination like bugs, soil, or disease. If it contains honey it must also be in its original unopened packaging, and either: does not require refrigeration; or the packaging clearly state the amount of honey is less than 2% of the product's weight. Travelling to NZ with medicines – NZ Customs Service
Extra tips:	Bringing medicines into NZ – The Ministry of Health Personal importation of medicines – The Ministry of Health Some medication and drugs are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), like products containing American Ginseng, Costus root, or Dendrobium. They may require CITES documentation to be imported or may be prohibited. Find out about CITES – Department of Conservation
Declare the item?	Yes
Inspection required?	Yes
Clearance guaranteed?	No Check our legal disclaimer to find out why we can't guarantee clearance

Veterinary medicines and supplements accompanying imported animals

Allowed if:	It is accompanying the animal/owner/agent travelling with the animal. You have a copy of the overseas veterinarian's prescription. You have a ACVM21 declaration [DOCX, 296 KB]
Extra tips:	Some traditional medicine items are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). They may require CITES documentation to be imported or may be prohibited. Find out about CITES – Department of Conservation More details about veterinary medication, vitamins, and supplements items for animals are on steps to importing veterinary medicines
Limits:	3 months' supply
Declare the item?	Yes
Inspection required?	Yes
Clearance guaranteed?	No Check our legal disclaimer to find out why we can't guarantee clearance

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