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.
Risk goods will be inspected
Mail that may contain risk goods like food, souvenirs or seeds, will be opened and examined and may be detained at the border to ensure compliance with New Zealand's biosecurity requirements.
If your mail item is held because it poses a biosecurity risk, you should get a letter from MPI explaining your options.
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