Pork products
Pork salami, dried ham, Iberian Jamon, pork crackling, scratchings, pig, pork sausage, pork paté, pork pepperoni

Beef, lamb, mutton, goat, venison, kangaroo, possum, and rabbit products

Examples: Frozen meat, fresh meat, fillet steak, beef black pudding, beef sausage, spam, canned corned beef, beef biltong, bresaola, venison salami

Allowed if:

It is commercially manufactured and packaged, in its original unopened packaging, and has the country of manufacturer clearly stated on the packaging.

Insect and arachnid products

Examples: Spider, cricket flour, cricket, salagubang

Allowed if: It is commercially manufactured and packaged, in its original unopened packaging, contain no living specimens, and does not require refrigeration.

Alligator and crocodile

Examples: Alligator meat, crocodile meat

Allowed if: It is from Australia or the USA, also must be commercially manufactured and packaged, in its original unopened packaging, has the country of manufacturer clearly stated on the packaging, and does not require refrigeration.

Vegan meat substitute

Example: Tofu

Allowed if: It is cooked or preserved, and it does not contain jackfruit or breadfruit.

Extra tip: It’s advisable to have manufacturer information on the product’s label.

Other meat products

Examples: Chicken jerky, canned foie gras, glass jar with rubber sealing foie gras, tin sealed foie gras, chicken feet, duck, duck tongue, turkey, bear meat, whale, canned chicken, chicken liver paté, turkey jerky

Allowed if: It is canned/retorted, commercially manufactured and packaged, in its original unopened packaging, and does not require refrigeration.

Extra tips:

Some meat products are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), like canned bear meat or whale meat. They may require CITES documentation to be imported or may be prohibited.

Sausage casings

Examples: Collagen casings

Vegan cheese

Allowed if: It is cooked or preserved and does not contain jackfruit and breadfruit.

Extra tip: Advised to have manufacturer information on the product’s label.

Ghee 

Examples: Ghee, clarified butter, butter oil

Allowed if:

It does not contain fresh fruit.

Butter, cheese, milk powder, and formula

Examples: Butter, cheese, infant formula, baby formula, milk powder, ice cream, yoghurt, lactose-free milk, liquid milk

Allowed if: It does not contain fresh fruit

New Zealand dairy products

Allowed if: It was made in New Zealand, it is commercially manufactured and packaged, and in its original unopened packaging.

Protein powder 

Examples: Protein powder, whey protein

Allowed if: It does not contain fresh fruit.

Whole eggs

Examples Chicken egg, duck egg, emu egg, quail egg, cooked egg, raw yolk, raw egg, boiled egg

  Not allowed into New Zealand

Dried or processed fruit and vegetables

Examples: Sultana, raisin, dried apricots, jams, chutney, relish, edible bamboo, cooked taro, kimchi, vinegar, dates

Allowed if: It is fully dried, freeze-dried, dehydrated, juiced, pureed, pulped, cooked, roasted, stewed, minced, baked, parboiled, preserved, pickled, powdered, flaked, made into syrup, made into pills, made into capsules, or commercially frozen.

Extra tips:

    Do not bring fresh fruits and vegetables.

    Do not bring jackfruit, breadfruit and monk fruit, even if has been processed as described above.

    Do not bring dried citrus products unless powdered, or preserved in brine or syrup, or contained in infusion bags, or less than 5% of an ingredient list in a product.

Coconut

Examples: Grated coconut

Allowed if: It is just the flesh and has no outer shell or husk.

Extra tip: Do not bring whole, fresh coconuts with the shell and husk.

Corn

Examples: Fresh corn, home cooked corn, polenta, corn grit, cornflour, freeze-dried corn, cornmeal, ready-to-cook retail packs, vacuum packed popcorn on the cob, kibbled corn, popcorn

Allowed if: It is freeze-dried, grit, polenta, cornmeal, cornflour, branded ready-to-cook retail packs, branded vacuum packed popcorn on the cob, popped popcorn, or kibbled corn.

Extra tip: Do not bring any other corn product like loose popcorn, fresh corn, home cooked corn.

Kava

Examples: Kava powder, kava dried roots

Allowed if: It is powdered, or dried roots and does not contain bugs, seeds, soil, disease or other plant or animal material.

Extra tip: Do not bring fresh kava.

Fungi 

Examples: Dried mushroom

Allowed if: It is fully dried, freeze-dried, dehydrated, frozen, cooked, roasted, stewed, minced, baked, parboiled, preserved, pickled, powdered, made into pills, or made into capsules.

Extra tip: Do not bring truffles or Ganoderma.

Nuts 

Examples: Almonds, peanuts, cashew, hazelnut, macadamia, walnut, peanut butter

Allowed if: It is commercially manufactured and packaged, and is listed here:

All chopped nuts Hazelnut (no shell)

Almond Lotus Nut

Apricot kernel Macadamia (no shell)

Betel – dried and sliced Peanut

Brazil Pecan (no shell)

Candle nut Pine nut – clean, extracted from the cone & free of any cone scales (woody covering)

Cashew Pistachio

Chestnut (no shell) Tahitian / Island / Polynesian chestnut (no shell)

Ginkgo – dried and with no fleshy material Walnut (no shell)

All honey roasted nuts (do not require refrigeration)

Extra tip: Do not bring hickory.

Seeds for eating

Examples: Chia, poppy, pumpkin, quinoa

Allowed if: It is listed here:

• Amaranth Melon
• Annatto – processed colouring Poppy – not type papaver somniferum
• Buckwheat – flour, or whole and cracked Pumpkin
• Caraway Quinoa
• Chia Sesame
• Cucumber Sunflower – kibbled, or hulled in muesli/trail mix
• Job’s Tears Watermelon
• Linseed

Extra tip: Do not bring poppy seed type papaver somniferum.

Hemp seeds

Examples: Hemp seed flour

Allowed if: Hemp seeds as food are allowed if it is powdered, crumbed, ground or baked.

Extra tip: Do not bring whole hemp seed.

Legumes and beans

Examples: Lentil, broad bean, chickpea, mung, peas, pulse

Allowed if: It is split, flour, or ground, and does not contain bugs, seeds, soil, disease, or other plant or animal material.

Extra tip: Do not bring whole or seeds for sprouting legumes and beans.

Baked goods

Examples: Muffins, cakes, bread, scones, fruitcake, Christmas cake, cookies, biscuits

Allowed if: It does not contain fresh fruit topping, raw nuts topping, meat filling, dairy filling, fresh fruit filling, or fresh vegetable filling.

Mooncakes 

Example: Mooncake with whole egg

Chips and crisps snacks

Examples: Potato chips, crisps, cassava chips, kettle chips, chippy, chippies, cheese puffs

Allowed if:

It does not contain liquid honey, loose fresh fruit, citrus peel (not candied), or egg powder.

Confectionery

Examples: Chocolate, candy, lollies, sweets, treats, sweetie, nougat, fondant icing, sugar paste for cakes, marzipan

Allowed if: It does not contain liquid honey, loose fresh fruit, loose raw seeds, citrus peel (not candied), or meat.

Snack and protein bars

Examples: Nut bars, protein bars, seed bars

Allowed if: It does not contain fresh fruit. If it contains honey it must also be commercially manufactured and packaged, in its original unopened packaging and either: baked or cooked and does not require refrigeration; or the packaging clearly state the amount of honey is less than 2% of the products weight.

Trail mix

Examples: Scroggin, any mixture of dried fruits, nuts, seeds & other food items traditionally in trail mixes

Allowed if: It does not contain liquid honey, loose fresh fruit, citrus peel (not candied), or meat.

Honey

Examples: Raw honey, honey spread

Allowed if: It was made in New Zealand, it is commercially manufactured and packaged, and in its original unopened packaging.

Extra tip: Honey is a high biosecurity risk for New Zealand. It can bring in harmful pests and diseases that can affect our bee populations. If in doubt, do not bring the honey.

Herbs and spices

Examples: Chilli powder, dried basil, cinnamon, cumin, black pepper, green pepper, white pepper, peppercorn, peppermint, seaweed

Allowed if: It does not contain bugs, soil, disease or other plant or animal material, and it is listed here:

• All ground spices Goji – dried red berries
• All ground, rubbed and chopped herbs Juniper – dried berries
• All dried roots Lemon Grass – dried leaves
• Ajwain seeds Lotus – dried leaves
• Allspice – dried unripe fruit Lovage – dried leaves
• Anise – pods / seeds Mace – dried whole
• Bay Leaves – dried Marjoram – dried leaves
• Basil – dried Mint – dried leaves
• Caraway seeds Mustard – seeds
• Cardamom, green – pods / seeds Nutmeg – dried seeds, crushed/ground
• Other Cardamom – Non-viable or ground pods / seeds Oregano – dried leaves
• Chilli – Dried fruit, flaked, shredded Pepper black, white, green – dried fruits
• Cloves – Dried flower buds Peppermint – dried leaves
• Celery – Dried leaves / seeds Pimento – dried fruit
• Chamomile – Dried leaves / flowers Psyllium husk – husks only of plantago seeds
• Chicory Seeds Rosemary – dried leaves
• Chrysanthemum – Dried leaves / flowers Saffron – dried stamens
• Cinnamon sticks | Bark Sage – dried leaves
• Coriander seeds Savory – dried leaves
• Cumin seeds Seaweed – dried
• Curry – dried leaves Spearmint – dried leaves
• Dill – seeds, dried leaf tips Star anise – dried pods / seeds
• Dukkah – crushed and chopped seeds with seasoning (sealed packets) Tamarind – compressed block of pulp
• Fennel seeds Thyme – dried leaves
• Fenugreek – seeds, dried leaves Turmeric – dried tubers
• Ginger – crystallized, in brine/syrup, dried whole

Extra tip: Do not bring pink pepper, or wolfberry (black goji).

Cereals

Examples: Oats, barley, rye, rice, flour, quinoa

Allowed if It is listed here:

• All commercially manufactured and packaged cereals
• Rice
• Barley – rolled, pearl form, malted barley for brewing purposes Rye – flour, kibbled, rolled
• Millet – no seeds Sago
• Oats – rolled, bran, groats Tapioca
• Psyllium husk – husk only of Plantago seed Wheat – Bulgar wheat, couscous, bran, flour, kibbled, malted wheat for brewing purposes, pearl form, rolled, semolina duram
• Quinoa Wild rice

Extra tip: Do not bring whole barley seed, whole oats seed, whole rye seed, whole wheat seed.

Meals – commercially made

Examples: Dehydrated camping meals, frozen meals

Allowed if: It has been commercially manufactured and packaged, in its original unopened packaging, does not require refrigeration, and contains less than 5% meat which is stated on the packaging.

Extra tip: Do not bring meals containing pork

Meals – home-made

Examples: Curry, sandwiches, home dehydrated food

Allowed if: It does not contain meat, jackfruit, breadfruit, fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, or honey.

Extra tip: Store your home-made meal within clear packaging. It reduces the chance for it to be opened during an inspection.

Hops

Examples: Pelleted hops

Allowed if:

It is dried, milled, and pelleted and is commercially manufactured and packaged.

Extra tip: Do not bring fresh hops.

Margarine, Vegemite and like products

Examples:

Vegemite, Marmite, margarine

Allowed if: It does not contain fresh fruit.

Mustard products

Examples:

Honey mustard, mustard

Allowed if:

It is commercially manufactured and packaged, in its original unopened packaging, and does not require refrigeration.

Pesto

Examples: Basil pesto

Allowed if: It is commercially manufactured and packaged

Plant oils

Examples: Olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, hemp oil

Allowed if: It is commercially manufactured and packaged.

Extra tip:

Do not bring hemp oil containing tetrahydrocannabinol or THC.

Note that cannabidiol (CBD) oil has its own rules.

Pasta and noodles

Examples: Noodles, dried spaghetti, fresh penne

Allowed if: It does not contain liquid honey, loose fresh fruit, loose fresh vegetables, loose raw seeds, citrus peel (not candied), or meat.

If it contains egg it also needs to be commercially manufactured and packaged, in its original unopened packaging, and does not require refrigeration.

Extra tip: Do not bring pasta salad into New Zealand.

Salt

Allowed if: It does not contain bugs, seeds, soil, disease or other plant or animal material.

 Sauces and dressings

Examples: Bbq sauce, vinaigrette, soya sauce, tomato sauce, mayonnaise, salad dressings

Allowed if: It does not contain liquid honey, loose fresh fruit, loose fresh vegetables, loose raw seeds, citrus peel (not candied), or meat.

If it contains egg it also needs to be commercially manufactured and packaged, in its original unopened packaging, the label states less than 20% egg and does not require refrigeration.

Soya

Examples: Soya sauce, tofu, soya flour, soya curd, cooked soya, frozen soya, soya milk, split soya beans, grit beans, kibbled soya beans, tempeh

Allowed if: It is not whole soya beans.

Starters, enzymes and yeast

Examples: Yeast, brewers kit, scoby, miso paste, koji rice starter, tempeh Starter, kefir

Allowed if: It is commercially manufactured and packaged.

Extra tips: If you are bringing starters, enzymes, or yeast, check with New Zealand Environmental Protection Authority: neworganisms@epa.govt.nz

Stocks and floss

Examples: Stock cubes, stock flavouring, floss

Allowed if: It is commercially manufactured and packaged, in its original unopened packaging, does not require refrigeration, and does not require further cooking before consumption but may require rehydration or reheating prior to consumption.

Extra tip: Do not bring pork stock and floss products.

Syrup

Examples: Maple syrup, treacle

Allowed if: It does not contain honey.

Vanilla

Examples: Vanilla pod, vanilla extract, vanilla paste, vanilla essence.

Allowed if:

It is extract, essence, paste or dried pods.

Extra tip:

Do not bring fresh vanilla pods.

  Pet food, animal feeds, fish food

Allowed? It depends on the product.

Tea

Examples: Green tea, earl grey, English breakfast, chamomile, kombucha tea, herbal tea, rose petal tea.

Allowed if:

It is dried and does not contain citrus leaves, or citrus peel.

If it contains honey powder it must also be commercially manufactured and packaged, in its original unopened packaging, and it does not require refrigeration.

Coffee and cocoa

Examples: Cocoa beans, powdered cocoa, nibs, ground coffee, green coffee beans, granulated coffee, roasted coffee beans, decaffeinated whole beans, coffee pods

Allowed if: It does not contain any visual contamination like bugs, seeds, soil, disease, or other plant or animal material.

Soda and juice

Example:

Orange juice, cola, lemonade

Allowed if:

It does not contain fresh fruit.

Water

Example: Bottled water

Allowed if: It does not contain bugs, seeds, soil, disease or other plant or animal material.

Plant-based milk

Example:

Rice milk, oat milk, soya milk, almond milk, coconut milk, cashew milk, flax milk, quinoa milk, hazelnut milk, hemp milk, sunflower milk

Allowed if:

It does not contain fresh fruit.

Human Breast Milk

Examples: Liquid and powdered human breast milk

Allowed if:

It does not contain fruit.

Ginseng

Allowed if: It is dried roots, sliced roots, powdered, made into pills, made into tea, or a ginseng extract.

Extra tip:

Some ginseng products are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), like whole/sliced American Ginseng root (xi yang shen). They may require CITES documentation to be imported or may be prohibited.

Bamboo

Example: Crystallised bamboo

Allowed if: It is preserved, blanched, bleached, crystallised, glaced, jellied, pickled, canned, cooked, baked or salted.

Bird’s nest

Allowed if: It is instant bird’s nest that is retorted (completely cooked and in an airtight package) and it is commercially manufactured and packaged, in its original unopened packaging, and does not require refrigeration.

Extra tip: Not allowed into New Zealand if fresh, dry or raw.

Equipment and clothing

Examples: Used equipment, new equipment, socks, shoes, tent, horse riding gear, camping gear, scuba gear, fishing gear, bicycle, luggage cases

Allowed if: It does not contain bugs, seeds, soil, diseases or other plant or animal material.

Extra tips:

    Clean and dry your items.

    Double-check your socks inside and out. Seeds can be easily hiding inside.

    Do not bring equipment that has been used within the beekeeping industry, like a smoker or bee suit.

Barbeques (BBQ)

Allowed if: It does not contain bugs, seeds, soil, diseases or other plant or animal material.

Extra tips:

Clean and dry your BBQ thoroughly to remove dirt, grease, and charcoal.

Wooden items

Examples:

Chopping board, wood rosary, carving, musical instruments (including guitars), MDF, particle board, plywood, picture frames, processed bamboo, processed cane, processed willow, processed rattan, non-treated wood.

Allowed if: It does not contain bugs, seeds, soil, disease, willow, cane, bamboo, rattan, bark or other plant or animal material.

Extra tips: Some wooden items can contain animal hide. It must be prepared so that the hide is no longer fresh.

Some wooden items are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora like rosewood. They may require CITES documentation to be imported or may be prohibited.

Alcohol

Examples:

spirits, bourbon, vodka, gin, whiskey, egg liqueur, advocaat, avocet, advoket, wine, beer, honey mead

Allowed if:

It does not contain bugs, reptiles, seeds, soil, disease or other plant or animal material.

Notes:

    If it contains chicken egg yolk it must also be commercially manufactured and packaged, in its original unopened packaging, at least 14% alcohol, and must not require refrigeration.

    If it contains bee products it must also be commercially manufactured and packaged, be honey mead or labelled at least 20% alcohol, and the total quantity of the consignment must be 3 bottles or fewer.

CBD oil (cannabidiol)

Examples:

Cannabis oil, medicinal cannabis

Allowed if:

It is commercially manufactured and packaged and in its original packaging.

You have a prescription or letter from your doctor.

Cigarettes and tobacco

Examples: Cigarettes, tobacco packets, e-cigarettes

Allowed if: It does not contain bugs, seeds, soil, disease or other plant or animal material.

Medication and drugs

Examples: Vitamins, supplement, capsules, fish oil tablets

Allowed if:

It is commercially manufactured and packaged, in its original packaging, and contains less than 2% honey, pollen, or royal jelly. It must be accompanied by a manufacturer’s declaration if it contains honey.

You have a prescription or letter from your doctor.