For individuals
Mā te takitahi
Travelling to New Zealand?
We look forward to welcoming you on arrival. New Zealand has rules on what we allow into the country. Find out more here.
Check what you can bring
Some foods, drinks, sports and outdoor equipment, and animal and plant products can carry harmful pests and diseases. These are biosecurity risk items that could damage our economy or unique environment.
Biosecurity risk items must be declared or disposed of in an amnesty bin on arrival. If you fail to declare risk goods, you could face a $400 instant fine or be prosecuted.
If you’re unsure, declare your items when you arrive or put them in the bin.
Use our tool to help find out what you can and can't bring to New Zealand.
Check if you can bring an item to New Zealand
Prepare for your arrival
Whether you are visiting New Zealand or you are a New Zealander returning from overseas, there are some important steps you must do to prepare for your arrival, such as completing your New Zealand Traveller Declaration.
How to prepare for your arrival and what risk items to declare
Our video explains why it's important to follow the rules
This biosecurity video will help you understand the importance of protecting New Zealand from unwanted pests and diseases.
Video – Welcome to Aotearoa (1:23)
Transcript – show/hide
Welcome to Aotearoa.
Our country.
Our lakes, rivers, lands and seas.
Our home.
This fragile place is all we’ve got.
It’s vulnerable to pests and diseases.
That’s why we guard it, as if our way of life depends on it… Because it does. But we need your help.
Fruits, vegetables and eggs like these can’t be brought into New Zealand.
Nor can most meats, honey, cooking ingredients, herbs, and seeds or spices…
Anything made of plants or wood can carry unwanted pests or diseases that could destroy our natural environment.
Put any items you aren’t sure about in the airport amnesty bins.
Used outdoor equipment is a problem too.
If in doubt, declare it for inspection on the New Zealand Traveller Declaration website or app, or on a paper arrival card.
Or ask a biosecurity officer like me.
Because once you arrive, your bags may be x-rayed and inspected.
And if you haven’t declared, you’ll be fined $400.
As a visitor here, I’ll be asking one thing of you:
Look after it. Protect it.
Declare or dispose risk items.
Avoid a $400 fine.
[end transcript]
The video is also available with subtitles in other languages.
