For individuals
Mā te takitahi
Check what you can bring
Some foods, drinks, sports and outdoor equipment, and animal and plant products can carry harmful pests and diseases. These are biosecurity risk items that could damage our economy or unique environment.
Biosecurity risk items must be declared or disposed of in an amnesty bin on arrival. If you fail to declare risk goods, you could face a $400 instant fine or be prosecuted.
If you’re unsure, declare your items when you arrive or put them in the bin.
Use our tool to help find out what you can and can't bring to New Zealand.
Check if you can bring an item to New Zealand
Prepare for your arrival
Whether you are visiting New Zealand or you are a New Zealander returning from overseas, there are some important steps you must do to prepare for your arrival, such as completing your New Zealand Traveller Declaration.
How to prepare for your arrival and what risk items to declare
The New Zealand Traveller Declaration app
The app is available for Apple and android devices.
Download the New Zealand Traveller Declaration app – Apple Store
Download the New Zealand Traveller Declaration app – Google Play Store (android)
Video – Your biosecurity requirements (2:47)
Watch our biosecurity inflight video below. It will help you understand the importance of protecting New Zealand from unwanted pests and diseases.
Transcript – show/hide
This is an important announcement from the New Zealand Government regarding your biosecurity requirements when entering New Zealand.
Welcome to New Zealand.
With our beautiful lakes, rivers, sea, forests and land, our country is unique.
However, pests and diseases can affect our plant and animal life and hide in food and other risk items causing serious damage to our environment, our primary industries, our economy, and the activities we enjoy.
It only takes one risk item to harm New Zealand.
On arrival, your bags may be x-rayed and inspected.
Failing to declare a biosecurity risk item may result in an instant fine.
Our biosecurity officers are here to help you understand New Zealand’s strict biosecurity laws and what the risk items are.
These include; fruits, vegetables and eggs, meats, honey, cooking ingredients, herbs and seeds, or spices, anything made of plants or wood, and used outdoor equipment, including dirty boots and dirty shoes.
You will need to declare all biosecurity risk items. You can do this via your New Zealand Traveller Declaration.
Everyone travelling to New Zealand must complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration. This includes on behalf of children and babies.
An easy way to do this is via the New Zealand Traveller Declaration app or website at travellerdeclaration.govt.nz
You can do this on board now using in-flight wi-fi if available. If there is no wi-fi, you need to complete this process before reaching passport control.
If you have already completed your declaration, nice one.
Before you exit the aircraft, take a moment to check your bags and belongings.
Make sure any food you've received in-flight or any forgotten food items in your cabin baggage are left on the aircraft.
When you land, use the biosecurity disposal bins in the airport to dispose of any risk items you're still carrying.
Or ask a biosecurity officer if you're unsure.
It only takes one risk item to harm New Zealand, and it's our job to find undeclared items.
If you fail to declare a risk item, even accidentally, you could receive an instant fine.
Thank you for your help in protecting our environment and our economy.
And our farmers, fruit growers too, and the outdoor activities we love.
[End transcript]
The video is also available with subtitles in other languages.
