Documents Required: (1) Passport (original); (2) Residence Visa; (3) Proof of Residence; (4) Inventory, stating contents of cartons in detail (all items marked "PBO" - packed by owner and "misc." - miscellaneous are subject to inspection); (5) Customs Declaration (customer must be in country to complete prior to shipment arrival); (6) Proof of Employment; (7) Proof of transfer of funds to New Zealand.
Customs Regulations: (1) customer' presence; (2) used household goods (including furniture and electrical appliances) and personal effects are duty-free provided: (a) the customer intends to be a permanent resident; (b) the customer has lived outside New Zealand for 21 months and has owned and used the goods prior to departure to New Zealand; (c) goods are for their own personal use; (3) customs will require a SIGHT ENTRY if shipments are forwarded to New Zealand prior to customer's arrival (They will inspect the shipment and require a Customs duty deposit on the insured value, until customer can provide proof of entry to New Zealand, at which time the deposit will be refunded); (4) importation of household goods from deceased estates will be accepted free of duty provided a copy of the Death Certificate and Will are provided; (5) fumigation of shipment may be required; (6) charges for this service will be for the Customer's account;(7) shipments may require inspection by Quarantine however, this requirement is only made known during the clearance procedure; (8) charges for this service will be for the Customer's account.
Dutiable and Restricted Items
1) New items
2) Tobacco products and alcoholic beverages. In case a part of normal household contents or part of a collector's cellar will normally be imported on a duty and tax free basis, providing client is first time immigrant or a returning New Zealand resident after 21 months overseas.
3) Radio transmitting equipment may not comply with New Zealand radio frequency service.
4) Firearms and ammunition strictly controlled and a Police Permit is required. These items must be packed separately, individually listed on the inventory, and stowed at the front of the container for easy access. Shipper must contact the New Zealand Police Department upon arrival to obtain permits as New Zealand Customs will not give clearance of the total shipment until documentation is received from the police. Small firearms/pistols are not permitted unless client will register with a gun club. Semi-automatic military type firearms are not allowed. Arms Permit/Registration Certificate detailing make, model, and serial numbers are required.
5) Food of any kind; biological specimens; plants or animals (alive or dead) or their products; equipment used with animals.
6) The items below must be thoroughly cleaned prior to importation: (a) garden tools/implements, tents, vacuum cleaners, basketware, bicycles, outdoor sports equipment, feather, fur or skin products, etc. (CLOSELY INSPECTED); (b) bamboo, cane or rattan, regardless of origin will be inspected and only if infested, will be fumigated; (c) wood used for crating must be free of bark, insect and fungal attack. Timber Certificate must be sent with documents.
7) All items of agricultural, animal or food origin, or use must be clearly identified and loaded for easy access for inspection. NOTE: Agricultural Inspection may take up to two days, with fumigation another seven days.
8) If full container, quarantine inspection will take place at residence.
Prohibited Items: canned or dried meat, spices, honey, dairy and egg products or bee keeping equipment; flick knives, swordsticks and knuckle-dusters; drugs (medicine must be accompanied by a doctor's prescription and be carried in the original container); pornographic material (subject to seizure).
Pets
The import of domestic pets are prohibited and restricted. Details and requirements must be obtained from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries. | 
