CUSTOMS REGULATIONS:
- CUSTOMER MUST BE IN THE COUNTRY AT THE TIME OF CUSTOMS CLEARANCE
- Used household goods (including furniture and electrical appliances) and personal effects are duty-free provided:
- The customer intends to be a permanent resident
- The customer has lived outside New Zealand for 21 months and has owned and used the goods prior to departure to New Zealand
- Goods are for their own personal use
- Importation of household goods from deceased estates will be accepted free of duty provided a copy of the Death Certificate and Will are provided
- Fumigation of shipment may be required
- Charges for this service will be for the Customer’s account
- Shipments may require inspection by Quarantine however, this requirement is only made known during the clearance procedure
- Charges for this service will be for the Customer’s account
- If shipments are forwarded to New Zealand prior to customer’s arrival, Customs will require a SIGHT ENTRY. Customs will inspect the shipment and require a Customs duty deposit on the insured value, until customer can provide proof of entry to New Zealand, at which time the deposit will be refunded.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED:
- Passport (original)
- Residence Visa
- Customs Declaration (customer must be in country to complete prior to shipment arrival)
- Proof of Employment
- Proof of transfer of funds to New Zealand
- Proof of Residence
- Inventory, stating contents of cartons in detail (all items marked “PBO” – packed by owner and “misc.” – miscellaneous are subject to inspection)
PROHIBITED ITEMS:
- Canned or dried meat, spices, honey, dairy and egg products or bee keeping equipment
- Pornographic material (subject to seizure)
- Flick knives, swordsticks and knuckledusters
- Drugs (medicine must be accompanied by a doctor’s prescription and be carried in the original container)
DUTIABLE/RESTRICTED ITEMS:
- New items
- Firearms and ammunition strictly controlled and a Police Permit is required
- Must be packed separately, individually listed on the inventory, and stowed at the front of the container for easy access
- Small firearms/pistols are not permitted unless client will register with a gun club. Semi-automatic military type firearms are not allowed.
- Arms Permit/Registration Certificate detailing make, model, and serial numbers are required
- Shipper must contact the New Zealand Police Department upon arrival to obtain permits as New Zealand Customs will not give clearance of the total shipment until documentation is received from the police
- Alcoholic beverages and tobacco products. If as part of normal household contents or part of a collector’s cellar will normally be imported on a duty and tax free basis, providing client is first time immigrant or a returning New Zealand resident after 21 months overseas.
- Radio transmitting equipment may not comply with New Zealand radio frequency service
- Agricultural regulations apply to the following items:
- Food of any kind
- Biological specimens
- Equipment used with animals
- Plants or animals (alive or dead) or their products
- The following items must be thoroughly cleaned prior to importation:
- Garden tools/implements, tents, vacuum cleaners, basketware, bicycles, outdoor sports equipment, feather, fur or skin products, etc. (CLOSELY INSPECTED)
- Bamboo, cane or rattan, regardless of origin will be inspected and only if infested, will be fumigated
- Wood used for crating must be free of bark, insect and fungal attack. Timber Certificate must be sent with documents.
- If full container, quarantine inspection will take place at residence
- All items of agricultural, animal or food origin, or use MUST be clearly identified and loaded for easy access for inspection. PLEASE NOTE: Agricultural Inspection may take up to two days, with fumigation another seven days.
PETS:
- Prohibition and restrictions on the import of domestic pets such as dogs and cats apply and are strictly enforced. Details and requirements must be obtained from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.
MOTOR VEHICLES:
- CUSTOMER MUST ATTEND CUSTOMS CLEARANCE INTERVIEW
- Including motorcycles and motor scooters
- Any person taking up permanent residence for the first time can import one vehicle exempt from needing an import license duty and GST free provided the vehicle has been owned for one year prior to departure to New Zealand, will not be sold for two years and is for the Customer’s own personal use and not for sale, gift or disposal in any other way
- New Zealand citizens will be required to pay Customs duty and tax on all vehicles imported (GST -Goods & Services Tax )
- Documents required:
- Provide make, model, year, and current value
- Passport
- Certificate of steam cleaning
- Valid Drivers License
- Original Bill of Sale (showing purchase price and date)
- Insurance and Registration Certificate (to prove the length of ownership)
- Log Book, service book or repair accounts (showing further proof of the length of ownership)
- Customer and spouse may each import one vehicle as long as each holds a valid drivers license and can provide evidence of personal ownership and use of the vehicle
- ALL VEHICLES must be steam cleaned and spotless before shipping (certificate required on arrival)
- Vehicles MUST comply with New Zealand Ministry of Transport Vehicle Standard regulations
- Restrictions apply to importation of left-hand drive vehicles. Before shipping you must obtain written approval to import from the Ministry of Transport.
- Loading vehicle in container with household goods NOT advisable (any problems with release by Customs or Quarantine will delay delivery of both household goods and auto)
NOTE: Customs regulations are subject to change at any time. The proceeding information is a brief summary of customs regulations applicable to household goods shipments to this destination and is being provided for general guidance to assist our Agents and Customers.
Since such regulations are subject to change without notice, we cannot be held liable for any costs, damage, delays, or other detrimental events resulting from non-compliance.
Always double check with your local embassy or consulate.
