Alcohol, cigarettes, tobacco, drugs, and medicines

Wine and beer

Allowed if: It does not contain bugs, reptiles, seeds, soil, disease or other plant or animal material.
Extra tips:

Check duty-free limits – NZ Customs Service

Check allowances and charges – NZ Customs Service

Some alcohol items may contain endangered species, like snakes, and those species may be prohibited.

Find out more about prohibited species – Department of Conservation
Declare the item? Yes
Inspection required? Yes

 

Spirits and liqueurs

Examples: Spirits, bourbon, vodka, gin, whiskey, egg liqueur, advocaat, avocet, advokat
Allowed if: It does not contain bugs, reptiles, seeds, soil, disease or other plant or animal material. If it contains chicken egg yolk it must also be commercially manufactured and packaged, in its original unopened packaging, at least 14% alcohol, and does not require refrigeration.
Extra tips:

Check duty-free limits – NZ Customs Service

Check allowances and charges – NZ Customs Service

Some alcohol items may contain endangered species, like snakes, and those species may be prohibited.

Find out more about prohibited species – Department of Conservation
Declare the item? Yes
Inspection required? Yes

 

Mead

Allowed if:

It is commercially manufactured and packaged.
Limit:

3 bottles

Check duty-free limits – NZ Customs Service

Declare the item? Yes
Inspection required? Yes

 

CBD oil (cannabidiol)

Examples:

Cannabis oil, medicinal cannabis
Allowed if:

It is commercially manufactured and packaged and in its original packaging.

You have a prescription or letter from your doctor. 

Travelling to NZ with medicines – NZ Customs Service

CBD products – Ministry of Health

Extra tip:

Also see 'medication and drugs'
Limits:
  • 3 months' supply, for prescription medicine
  • 1 month's supply, for controlled drugs
Declare the item? Yes
Inspection required? Yes

 

Cigarettes and tobacco

Examples: Cigarettes, tobacco packets, e-cigarettes
Allowed if: It does not contain bugs, seeds, soil, disease or other plant or animal material.
Extra tip:

Check duty-free limits – NZ Customs Service

Check allowances and charges – NZ Customs Service

Declare the item? Yes
Inspection required? Yes

 

Medication and drugs

Examples: Vitamins, supplement, capsules, Chinese medicine, medicines for animals, fish oil tablets
Allowed if:

It is commercially manufactured and packaged, in its original packaging, and contains less than 2% honey, pollen, or royal jelly. It must be accompanied by a manufacturer's declaration if it contains honey.

You have a prescription or letter from your doctor. 

Travelling to NZ with medicines – NZ Customs Service

Extra tips:

Check with The Ministry of Health

Bringing medicines into NZ – Ministry of Health

Some medication and drugs are protected under a Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), like products containing ginseng. They may require CITES documentation to be imported or may be prohibited.

Find out about CITES – Department of Conservation

Veterinary medication, vitamins, and supplements items for animals have their own rules to follow.

Steps to importing veterinary medicines 

Avoid bringing dried plant Chinese medicines as these items can contain pests and diseases.
Limits:
  • 3 months' supply, for prescription medicine
  • 1 month's supply, for controlled drugs
  • No limits for other products
Declare the item? Yes
Inspection required? Yes

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