Country guides

New Zealand

The information contained within this leaflet has been specially compiled to help those moving to New Zealand for the first time. It is by no means a comprehensive guide and to obtain further information we recommend that you contact the New Zealand Embassy or visit the New Zealand Customs Service website.  

Customs Duties and Taxes

General Used Household Goods and Personal Effects
Providing you are taking up permanent residence, have a work visa valid for at least one year or you are a New Zealand Citizen returning after an absence of more than 21 months, you may import your household goods into New Zealand without paying duty provided you have owned and used them overseas for a reasonable time before you leave for New Zealand. Duty and/or tax may be payable on alcoholic drinks, tobacco and new goods.

Documents Required:
• Inventory of shipment in English (Prepared by Atlantic International Movers Ltd)
• Baggage Sufferance and Customs Declaration form (Completed in New Zealand when your belongings arrive)
• Copy of your Passport including blank pages
• Receipts for new items

Wedding Gifts
Duty and tax free in line with the regulations for normal used household effects.

Inheritance
If you are permanently domiciled in New Zealand you may import inherited goods free of duty.

Documents required:
• Copy of Death Certificate or letter from Solicitor
• Copy of Will or certified copy of relevant extract of Will showing the name of the beneficiary and his/her legacy

Antiques
Bona-fide antiques (i.e. items over 100 years old) can be imported into New Zealand free of duty provided they are not for re-sale.

Documents Required;
• ‘B.A.D.A. Certificate’ of authenticity ( obtainable from approved Antique Dealers)
• Commercial invoice (if recently purchased)

Quarantine Inspection
All household goods are subject to inspection by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF). Any items contaminated with soil or containing borers (woodworm) will be cleaned and/or fumigated at your expense.

Further information on specific items can be found on the MAF website.

Cars and Motorcycles
The importation of motor vehicles into New Zealand is strictly controlled however, you can import a motor car or motorcycle free of duty and Goods and Services Tax (GST) provided that you are taking up permanent residence for the first time and you have owned and used the vehicle for a minimum one year prior to departure to New Zealand. You will also be asked to sign a Deed of Undertaking to confirm that the vehicle is for your own use and it will not be sold for two years.

Duty or GST may be applicable on some other vehicles and motor homes, please see the New Zealand Customs Service website for further information.

Vehicles entering New Zealand must comply with Ministry of Transport Vehicle Standard regulations and a Statement of Compliance from the vehicle manufacturer should be obtained. It is strongly recommended that this is verified by the Land Transport Safety Authority (LTSA) in New Zealand prior to shipping. The LTSA can be contacted at the following website.

Upon arrival, The New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry inspects all vehicles to ensure that they have been cleaned to an appropriate standard. If not they will arrange for the vehicle to be steam cleaned at your expense. For further information refer to the MAF website.

Documents Required
• Registration papers to prove length of ownership
• Car condition report
• Copy of Passport
• Receipted sales invoice
• Statement of Compliance

Pets
Restrictions apply and an Import Permit may be required to import domestic pets depending on the type of animal and the country of origin. Further information can be found on the website for the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

Firearms
To import firearms, including deactivated and air weapons, into New Zealand you must have a Permit to Import which is issued by the New Zealand Police. To obtain an import permit you must first hold a New Zealand Firearms License which may take up to six months to obtain. The level of Firearms License obtained will dictate the type of firearms you will be allowed to import.

If the License or Permit has not been applied for or has been declined when the firearms arrive they will be liable to seizure and destruction by the New Zealand Customs Service. More information can be found here. 

You must not import ammunition of any kind.

Prohibited Items
You must not import narcotics, drugs, any items made from endangered species, pornographic books and magazines, any weapons that are designed or disguised to give the appearance of something else such as flick knives or swordsticks. There are also strict regulations and restrictions on the import of canned or dried meat, spices, honey, dairy and egg products, feathers, fish, fruit, vegetables, seeds, live plants and live insects. These items should not be imported without seeking professional advice.

Additional Information
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained herein is accurate, Atlantic International Movers can accept no responsibility for amendments made to the information supplied prior to or after its publication.

For further information and advice please phone 0800 169 3061.