Household Effects
Duty free entry is granted providing you are taking up residency in New
Zealand for the first time. Returning New Zealanders must have been away from the country for over 21 months in order to be granted duty free admission. If the owner is not in the country at the time of arrival of the effects, he can nominate a third party to clear them. The nominated
consignee must pay a financial deposit to Customs & Excise which will be
refunded upon the owner’s arrival into the country and presentation of
original passport.
New items may be liable for duty and GST depending on type. It is
advisable to obtain a licence prior to importation, as customs do not
automatically allow entry, although discretion will be used for presents and souvenirs.
All household and personal effects entering New Zealand are subject to
physical examination by the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAF). All items which appear dirty or may have come into contact with soil and
vegetation such as gardening equipment; bicycles; patio furniture; golf
clubs; vacuum cleaner bags, etc, will be inspected. All such items should
be thoroughly cleaned prior to move day although extra cleaning costs may still be incurred upon inspection.
Required documentation for household goods only:
