Bringing shoes, clothing, equipment, household and wooden items, cosmetics, plants, and seeds for sowing to NZ | NZ Government

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Cosmetics and oils

Examples:	Essential oils, coconut oil, emu oil, lanolin oil, soap, shampoo, conditioner, moisturiser, toothpaste, deodorant, nail polish
Allowed if:	It is commercially manufactured and packaged.
Extra tips:	Do not bring soaps containing seeds, and non-Australian emu oil products. Some oil products are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), like crocodile oil. They may require CITES documentation to be imported or may be prohibited. Find out about CITES – Department of Conservation
Weight limit:	3kg, if it is emu oil. No limit otherwise.
Declare the item?	Yes
Inspection required?	Yes
Clearance guaranteed?	No Check our legal disclaimer to find out why we can't guarantee clearance

General household items

Examples:	Jewellery, gold chains, crystals, rock, sand, clay, gravel, fossils, stone, metal roofing iron, tiles, glass, ceramic, pottery, used equipment, new equipment, socks, shoes, tent, horse riding gear, camping gear, scuba gear, fishing gear, bicycle, luggage cases, clothing, wheat bags, therapeutic heat bags, stress balls, juggling balls, hacky sacks, watercolour paints, finger paint, face paint, crayons, art brushes, brushes using animal hair, outdoor furniture, barbeques.
Allowed if:	These generic household items are allowed if it is clean and free of biosecurity contamination like bugs, soil, or disease.
Extra tips:	For fossils, certain countries wish to keep their heritage and therefore deem certain fossil specimens illegal to leave their country of origin. You will need to check with the relevant government authorities. Double-check your items do not have hidden seeds or dirt inside, especially for clothing, shoes, and tents. Do not bring items that contain whole grain and seeds that are not 'Basic' with the Plants Biosecurity Index (PBI) , mothballs, and equipment that has been used within the beekeeping industry, like a smoker or bee suit. Some items, like jewellery and weapons, may need to be checked with the New Zealand Customs Service. Check the New Zealand Customs Service website: Prohibited and restricted items What's my duty estimator Some items, like mothballs, children art supplies and paint, may need to be checked with the Environment Protection Authority (EPA). Check the EPA website: Clearance to import children's graphic materials Caution notice: warning over banned mothballs
Weight limit:	None
Declare the item?	Yes
Inspection required?	Yes
Clearance guaranteed?	No Check our legal disclaimer to find out why we can't guarantee clearance

Nursery stock, cut flowers, foliage, and seed for sowing

Examples:	Bulbs, corms
Allowed if:	Nursery Stock is allowed if the species is listed with the import specification 'L2 (Basic)', L1, L2, or L3 on the Plant Biosecurity Index (PBI), and the relevant Import Health Standard (IHS) requirements are met. Plant Biosecurity Index – search seed scientific name Seeds for Sowing is allowed if the species is listed with the import specification 'Basic' or 'See 155.02.05 under _______' on the Plant Biosecurity Index (PBI), and the relevant Import Health Standard (IHS) requirements are met. Plant Biosecurity Index – search seed scientific name Cut Flowers and Foliage are eligible for import into New Zealand if the genera/species is listed in the relevant IHS and the import requirements are met.
Extra tips:	Follow the steps to importing relevant to your item: Steps to importing seeds for sowing and Importing seeds for sowing into New Zealand – YouTube Steps to importing nursery stock Steps to importing cut flowers and foliage Do not bring plant and seed species that are listed on the Plant Biosecurity Index as 'Entry Prohibited', 'Requires Assessment', 'Suspended', or species not listed on the PBI. If you are ordering seeds online, you will need to talk with your supplier to make sure they declare the seeds’ scientific name on the parcel coming to New Zealand and enclose any documentation required by the IHS. The packaging needs to be clean and free of biosecurity contamination like bugs, soil, or disease. Some plant and seeds are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), like seeds from some orchids, cacti, and cycads. 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

Ornamental, dried, and preserved plant or wooden items

Examples:	Soap nut shells, dried flowers, dried flowers heads, lavender pillows, lavender pouches, coconut shells, flax cloak, flax hats, boab nut and gourds for ornamental purposes, mats, chopping board, wood rosary, carving, musical instruments (including guitars), MDF, particle board, plywood, picture frames, processed bamboo, processed cane, processed willow, processed rattan, non-treated wood. Download more examples of low-risk manufactured wooden products [PDF, 167 KB]
Allowed if:	It is identifiable, you cannot grow plants from the product, and is clean and free of biosecurity contamination like bugs, soil, or disease
Extra tips:	Some plant and wooden items can contain animal hide. It must be prepared so that the hide is no longer fresh. Do not bring fresh flowers, fresh plants, bark, coconut shells as fertiliser or growing media, unprocessed willow, cane, bamboo, or rattan. Some plant items are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), like orchids, and rosewood. They may require CITES documentation to be imported or may be prohibited. Find out about CITES – Department of Conservation
Weight limit:	None
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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