Shipping to New Zealand: What You Can and Can’t Bring

New Zealand Landscape - shipping to New Zealand

With its high quality of life, excellent education system, and incredible, diverse landscapes, it’s no wonder thousands of British ex-pats move to New Zealand each year.

New Zealand has a similar culture and the same native language, so you’ll find a nice combination of home comforts and exciting new aspects to explore in this small island nation. The mystical land of Lord of the Rings fame is calling your name, so it’s time to pack up and move to lovely New Zealand.

Before you take off for this exciting new chapter, you’ll need to make a solid plan. Along with planning your journey and purchasing plane tickets, it’s important to know the steps for shipping to New Zealand from the UK, including any restrictions on the items you can bring with you.

While shipping everything you own from the UK to New Zealand may seem overwhelming, reliable shipping companies are prepared to guide you through the process with ease. Companies like 1st Move know the ins and outs of this process, so we can supply you with the information, resources, and services you need to succeed. With our help, you’ll comply with New Zealand shipping restrictions and the process of shipping to New Zealand will be a breeze.

Below we’ll cover the main steps when moving to New Zealand from the UK, along with New Zealand import restrictions and items you’ll want to leave out of your luggage. With this information on hand, you can put your worries to rest and focus on the excitement of this new phase of your life.

Prohibited and Restricted Items in New Zealand

Most countries have lists of prohibited and restricted items for shipping. Prohibited items absolutely cannot enter the country, while restricted items may require additional paperwork or special identification to be allowed in the country. Like most countries, New Zealand is very particular about what it will allow through customs, so you’ll want to know which items comply with New Zealand Import restrictions.

As you’d expect, New Zealand’s prohibited items list features things such as:

  • knives
  • weapons
  • objectionable material on videotapes or CDs
  • equipment for using drugs

The restricted list features:

  • items derived from plants or animals such as ivory
  • ornaments made from sea turtle shells
  • several live species
  • carnivorous plants

It looks like you’ll need a permit to bring your pet eagle or Venus flytrap along on this journey.

To see a full list of these items and other New Zealand shipping restrictions, check out the New Zealand Customs Service prohibited and restricted items list here, it is a very clear outline of what is and isn’t allowed into this environmentally-conscious country.

There are even restrictions on items ranging from children’s paint (it could be considered toxic) to things like aerosols and fridges and freezers, all of which could be counted as ozone-depleting substances.

Pack It Up

Now that familiar with New Zealand shipping restrictions, it’s time to make a packing list. Before we load your belongings into pallets, we’ll help you create a packing list of all the items you will be shipping to New Zealand from the UK. You will need to present your packing list, or inventory list, as a part of your shipping paperwork, so taking this step before packing will save you the trouble of retracing your steps. We have customs clearing agents located in every country, so through every step of the process, you’ll know you have the support you need.

Then, we will help you pack for your overseas move to New Zealand. Our expertise will come in handy when it comes to making sure your items are packed in a dense and secure way, so you’ll know you’re saving on shipping costs, and your items will arrive safely at their destination in New Zealand.

Declare Your Goods

Next, you’ll need to declare your goods. Since your belongings are shipping to New Zealand from UK unaccompanied, you’ll need to fill out a declaration form. This form is used to declare your items, which are categorised as UPE, or Unaccompanied Personal Effects. Luckily, New Zealand is one of the few countries that allows you to complete this declaration form in advance, which will help speed up the process.

You can find this form here, but we’re happy to walk you through the process and answer any questions you have about New Zealand shipping restrictions along the way. As you’re completing this information in advance, your UPE statement form will be filed digitally through the Integrated Cargo System, so you’ll make it through customs in New Zealand in a snap.

The More You Know

Depending on your residency status in New Zealand, you may have to pay duty or a goods and service tax (GST) on certain items you ship there. If you are a resident, you will need documents to prove this upon entering the country. A full list of the documents you need, along with more information on the personal effects that require duty or GST, can be found at the New Zealand Customs Service website.

By hiring a professional mover such as 1st Move International, you have all the support you need to ship your belongings to New Zealand. We have the lowest insurance claims record of any international removals business in the UK. If you’re ready to make an international move, get in touch and make your move easier! Call now or get a moving quote here.


About 1st Move International

1st Move International are a specialist international moving and shipping company offering packing, shipping and insurance for shipping household goods and personal effects overseas. We have a global reach covering over 80 countries and 6500 worldwide destinations. You can get an international removals quote here or find more information on our international removals UK to New Zealand service here.

Avatar for Mike Harvey
As the Managing Director of 1st Move International, Mike Harvey brings more than two decades of logistics expertise and three years of specialised experience in international relocations to his role. His comprehensive knowledge spans the intricacies of overseas shipping, secondary yet crucial areas such as visa application processes and immigration requirements, and the wider topic of moving abroad including topics such as comparative analyses of cost of living, healthcare and educational systems worldwide. This expertise allows 1st Move International to equip people with the information they need to not just move overseas, but to make informed decisions about whether, and where, to relocate.