Customs and biosecurity are separate checks with separate rules. Biosecurity is about what could harm New Zealand's environment; customs is about duty, GST and prohibited goods. You can clear one and be stopped by the other.
Goods you bought overseas
You must declare goods totalling more than NZD $700 that you obtained overseas or bought duty-free, gifts included. Travelling companions cannot pool their allowances into one larger figure.
Alcohol and tobacco
- You must be 17 or over to claim the alcohol and tobacco concessions
- Alcohol: more than 3 bottles of spirits (each up to 1.125 litres) and 4.5 litres of wine or beer must be declared
- Tobacco: more than 50 cigarettes or 50 grams of tobacco products must be declared
Cash
Carrying NZD $10,000 or more — or the equivalent in another currency — has to be declared. This includes travellers cheques, bank drafts and money orders, not only banknotes. Declaring it is not a problem; failing to is.
What it costs to get this wrong
A false or incorrect declaration carries an instant fine of NZD $400, the same figure that applies to undeclared biosecurity risk goods.
Source: New Zealand Customs Service — On your arrival
Duty-free purchased on your way into New Zealand still counts towards the goods allowance. Buying it airside does not exempt it.
More on the NZeTA
What is the NZeTA
The NZeTA is a pre-travel authorisation for visa-waiver passports, not a visa. What it covers, who needs one, and what it does not do.
How to apply
Applying takes about ten minutes in the official app (NZ$17) or on the Immigration New Zealand website (NZ$23). Here is the order of the steps and what trips people up.
Cost
The NZeTA request fee is NZ$17 in the app or NZ$23 online, plus the NZ$100 IVL — about NZ$117–NZ$123 in total.
What you need
A valid passport, a photo of your face, an email address and a payment card. What the photo has to look like and what else is asked.
Processing time
Most NZeTA requests are decided in minutes, but Immigration New Zealand asks you to allow up to 72 hours. What makes an application take longer.
Validity
An NZeTA lasts 2 years from the date it is issued, or until your passport expires — whichever comes first — and allows multiple entries.