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Delays in treating goods posing biosecurity risk

We ask travellers and anyone receiving goods in overseas mail to be aware of treatment delays in Auckland.

The approved treatment provider for goods detained at the International Mail Centre or from arriving travellers at Auckland Airport will be unable to offer service from November 2022 to January 2023.

The provider will hold items that are eligible for treatment securely and carry out the required treatment once operations resume in January.

Perishable items are not able to be held during this period.

Passengers and importers can avoid processing delays by ensuring goods are compliant with New Zealand’s biosecurity requirements.

WHAT FOOD AND OTHER ITEMS CAN YOU SEND?

Use our tool to help you find out

We've got a tool to help you quickly get an answer about whether your food or other item is allowed into New Zealand. We don't have everything listed in the tool but it covers the food and other items we most frequently get asked about. The tool will also tell you whether there are any weight or quantity restrictions.

Go to the tool – Can I bring or post it to New Zealand?

Check what you may need to declare

Parcels and other articles being sent to New Zealand from overseas require a declaration sticker. This is issued by the postal service in the overseas country and usually contains the content's description, weight and value. No declaration is required for letters.

Before you mail something to New Zealand, find out about items considered risk goods, which you need to declare.

Items to declare

Incoming mail is screened at the border

We check mail at the border before it enters New Zealand to ensure it is safe and does not pose any biosecurity risks. Mail that may contain risk goods, like food, souvenirs, or seeds, will be opened and examined and may be detained.

Assessing your parcel

Parcels are screened at the mail centre and remain in the custody of your postal service throughout the clearance process.

Your parcel's tracking status (provided by your postal service) may say “Biosecurity Assessment”. This means we are assessing your parcel. If the parcel meets biosecurity requirements, it will be released.  

If you are waiting for your parcel, contact your postal service in the first instance.

Sometimes we require further information about your parcel

In some cases we may require further information before mail can be cleared to enter the country. In this circumstance, an MPI Import Declaration is needed to enable the release of your parcel.

If you are using NZ Post, your parcel’s tracking status may say, "MPI Import Entry Required". This is to let you know more information is required.

Your postal service will email you further details about what you need to do. In most cases, you will need to provide a copy of the receipt (or other proof of purchase) with a description of the items so your postal service can complete the declaration on your behalf.

We may contact you if risk goods are found

If your goods pose a biosecurity risk, either your postal service or MPI will contact you about your options. MPI will normally send a letter unless an email address is visible on the parcel. 

Prohibited items

Make sure your mail doesn't contain any prohibited items and that you don't use packaging containing prohibited items. This includes:

  • plants, plant materials, and seeds
  • food
  • animal products
  • straw and rattan items
  • wooden items and products
  • live animals
  • endangered species.

You usually can't send anything in the post which is:

  • illegal
  • explosive
  • dangerous
  • destructive
  • inadequately packaged
  • containing cash.

For more information on prohibited items visit the NZ Post website

Who to contact

If you have questions about clearing overseas mail, email info@mpi.govt.nz

MPI business units