Ships and boats border clearance

Vessels arriving in New Zealand must meet strict biosecurity requirements to prevent the introduction of pests and diseases to New Zealand. Requirements include arriving at a place of first arrival approved to accept your vessel type and cargo.

In this section

I tēnei wāhanga

Arrival process steps

Ballast water

Biofouling

Cruise ships and passengers

Hitchhiker pests

Yachts and other recreational vessels

Requirement documents

Forms and templates

Registers and lists for vessels arriving in New Zealand

Fees and charges

Vessel clearance and biofouling resources

Vessel or craft infringement offences

UPDATE – 1 AUGUST 2022

COVID-19 and the maritime sector

The New Zealand Customs Service website has information about new COVID-19-related health requirements and controls for arriving into New Zealand via the maritime border. The website includes information for recreational vessels, commercial ships, and cruise liners.

New Zealand Customs Service

Comprehensive information about travel to New Zealand is available on the Unite Against Covid, Ministry of Health and Immigration NZ websites.

Unite Against Covid

Ministry of Health

Immigration NZ

AVOID FURTHER DELAYS FROM PORT CONGESTION

Ensure you have a clean hull before your vessel leaves for New Zealand

A clean hull may reduce any additional biosecurity-related costs and delays, should unforeseen itinerary disruptions occur.

Get ahead of your biofouling: organise an underwater inspection and act on all biofouling found.
Ensure that your most recent underwater inspection or underwater cleaning report is supplied to MPI.
Ensure that all other relevant paperwork is supplied to MPI.
Let MPI know as soon as a delay becomes likely.
Reach out to MPI prior to departure for New Zealand if you are unsure of whether to carry out biofouling management, or to seek further advice.

Following these 5 steps improves the likelihood of MPI granting a request to extend your itinerary.

Port congestion: Vessel delays – suggested steps to take before coming to New Zealand [PDF, 366 KB]

If you have any questions, email:

vessels@mpi.govt.nz, or

standards@mpi.govt.nz