Import Regulations for Alcohol / Wine
Alcohol / Wine: Wine and spirits are allowed to be imported duty free into New Zealand if all of the following conditions are met:
1. The wine / alcohol is imported as part of personal effects and meets all the requirements for a concessionary entry for import into New Zealand
2. The wine / alcohol is for personal use only and not for sale, gift, disposal or exchange.
3. The items have been owned for more than 12 months and part of a personal collection.
4. The owner has a record of purchase and can provide a purchase invoice or cellar book which must container the following information:
- Date or purchase
- Purchase price in NZD
- Place of purchase
- Make / brand
- Quantity
- Alcohol content
- Documents applicable to a wine collectors club if available / applicable.
Other Restricted Items On an International Move
Firearms: If you are importing a firearm into New Zealand, you will need a special permit from the New Zealand Police Department. It is important that this item is one of the last things loaded into your shipment so that the Customs Office have easy access to it.
Further information can be found on the website: www.police.govt.nz/service/firearms/.
Duty and GST in New Zealand
Household effects can be imported into New Zealand duty and GST free (i.e. concessionary entry) when Shipping to New Zealand provided that the following criteria is met:
- On the date that your shipment arrives in New Zealand, you hold a document authorising residence in New Zealand.
- You have resided outside of New Zealand for the whole of 21 months before the date of arrival.
- The effects have been owned and used prior to shipping.
- The goods are not for sale, gift, exchange or disposal i.e. the goods are being imported for your own personal use.
- You hold a permanent residency visa.
Exceptions: the following goods are not able to qualify for duty free entry (unless it can be proved that the items have had personal use prior to shipping).
- Replacement electrical equipment (operating on New Zealand standards).
- Goods of a commercial nature. Please be advised that this includes office furniture.
- Goods shipped directly after purchase to avoid taxation in the origin country.
Visitor Permits / Temporary Visas
If you hold a visitor permit (a work visa permit for less than one year), you will not be able to receive duty free entry and therefore GST will be payable on the shipment. This is payable on household furniture and effects only, not clothing. You will need to declare the value of your furniture and household effects to Customs in New Zealand and the GST will be calculated on this value.
Customs regulations can change on a regular basis so please contact us for a free copy of our New Zealand Customs Guide.
