New Zealand treats medicine you bring for your own use as an import, and the rules differ depending on what the medicine is. Getting this wrong is one of the few ways an otherwise straightforward arrival turns into a long conversation at the border.
The two limits
- Prescription medicines: up to 3 months' supply
- Oral contraceptives: up to 6 months' supply
- Medicines that are also controlled drugs: only 1 month's supply
The controlled-drug category is where people get caught. Strong painkillers, some ADHD medicines and some sleep medicines fall into it even when they are entirely ordinary prescriptions at home.
What you must carry
- A copy of the prescription, or a letter from your doctor saying you are being treated with the medicine
- The medicine in its original labelled containers — not a pill organiser
- For controlled drugs, the letter should state the name and strength of the medicine
Declare it
Medicines are declared on your New Zealand Traveller Declaration. Controlled drugs must be declared. Declaring is not a problem; arriving with an undeclared controlled drug is.
Source: Ministry of Health / Medsafe — Bringing medicines into New Zealand
Source: New Zealand Customs Service — Medicines
If your trip is longer than the supply limit allows, arrange treatment in New Zealand rather than carrying extra. Bringing more than the permitted quantity is an import, not a personal supply.
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.