5 Updated July 2018
IMPORTING YOUR PERSONAL EFFECTS
If you have been traveling and are returning to New Zealand, your personal effects (wearing apparel, clothing,
footwear etc) purchased while on an overseas trip will be admitted free, provided that the goods are intended
for your personal use and are not intended for any other person or for gift, sale, or exchange. You may need to
establish that the purchase was made during the overseas visit. The concession applies to both accompanied
and unaccompanied personal effects. Even if you don’t need to pay duty your items may require biosecurity
clearance. In this case you will receive further direction on what is required to release your goods.
Note – this concession does not apply to clothing, footwear etc, purchased from New Zealand by mail order or
via the internet.
IMPORTING FOOD
Most foods imported into New Zealand for private consumption do not require intervention, but this depends
on the quantity and type of food imported. Details of the food are captured as part of the import entry process
and, if the food is a risk, it may need to be assessed by MPI. Assessment can include sampling and testing. Refer
to the
Food Import Clearance Procedure
for more information.
IMPORTING PERSONAL GIFTS
Gifts are not automatically free of Customs duties and GST. A gift to an individual with a declared value of
NZ$110 or less is allowed free entry. Anything above this will attract Customs duty and GST on the value above
NZ$110. Even if you don’t need to pay duty your items may require biosecurity clearance. In this case you will
receive further direction on what is required to release your goods.
HOUSEHOLD AND RELATED EFFECTS/MOTOR VEHICLES/SHIPS/AIRCRAFT
IMPORTED BY OWNER
Household and related effects can be imported free of duty and GST, and motor vehicles free of duty, provided
they are imported by a person who:
has arrived in New Zealand; and
holds a document authorising residence in New Zealand at the time of importation of the goods; and
has resided outside New Zealand for more than 21 months; and
has owned and personally used the goods prior to importing them into New Zealand.
Even if you don’t need to pay your items may require biosecurity clearance. In this case you will receive further
direction on what is required to release your goods.
Note – motor vehicles/ships/aircraft must have been owned and used for 12 months prior to shipping or the
owner’s departure for New Zealand, whichever is the earlier. Used vehicles also need to meet the
Import Health
Standard for Vehicles, Machinery and Tyres from All Countries.
HOUSEHOLD AND RELATED EFFECTS/MOTOR VEHICLES/SHIPS/AIRCRAFT
IMPORTED PRIOR TO THE ARRIVAL OF THE OWNER
Goods may be cleared ahead of the arrival of the owner. The nominee, appointed by the owner in writing, will be
required to complete an Unaccompanied Personal Baggage Declaration,
NZCS 218
, and either submit it directly
with Customs, or via an agent or moving company.