Sending to New Zealand: at a glance
- Duty-free limit
- NZD 1,000: no duty, fees or GST unless the value of the item or shipment is over NZD 1,000; does not apply to alcohol or tobacco.
- Tax above the limit
- Goods over NZD 1,000 pay duty where applicable, GST and the High-Value Goods Import Levy; from 1 April 2026 low-value goods (NZD 1,000 or less) attract consignment-based Customs and MPI levies (a Customs example shows an air import levy of NZD 2.21 excluding GST per entry).
- Used personal items
- Duty- and GST-free import of household and personal effects for new residents; readmission of reimported goods under section 151 of the Customs and Excise Act 2018
- Put in the parcel
- Customs declaration or commercial/pro-forma invoice with description and value of each item.
- A clear list of any food, plant, wood or used outdoor items for MPI assessment.
These are the usual rules. Customs and courier rules can change at any time, so confirm with New Zealand Customs Service (with MPI biosecurity) before sending.
New Zealand Customs Service (with MPI biosecurity)What can you usually send?
MedicinesUsually limited
- Medication and controlled substances: Handled by Manatū Hauora (Ministry of Health) as a border partner; ask before sending medicines by post.
Vapes and e-cigarettesUsually not allowed
- Vaporisers (other than approved medical devices): Importation of any other vaporiser is prohibited under the Misuse of Drugs (Prohibition of Utensils) Notice 2020; items can be seized and destroyed (Customs page).
Food, plants and animal productsUsually not allowed
- Straw and rattan items, live animals, endangered species (as mail contents or packaging): Prohibited in mail per MPI.
- Food, plant and wood products, honey, seeds, used outdoor equipment (including dirty boots and shoes): Must be declared; mail that may hold risk goods is opened, examined and may be detained to ensure compliance with import health standards. Travellers who fail to declare risk goods face an NZD 400 instant fine.
Your own used itemsUsual rules
- Personal effects relief applies to people arriving with a residence-authorising document who have lived abroad for more than 21 months and owned and used the goods before import.
- Section 151: goods reimported in substantially the same condition may be readmitted free of duty, subject to conditions set by the Customs chief executive.
- Section 152: goods exported for repair may be readmitted with duty based on the repair cost only.
- Import entry may be needed for returning items (Customs guidance); confirm with Customs or a broker
Anything not listed here (clothes, bags, toys, your own used things) usually follows the standard parcel rules and the duty-free limit above.
Send it yourself
- Ask the office holding it whether they post items, or who may collect it for you (a written authorisation and a copy of your ID).
- Someone collects it and packs it securely.
- Book a courier with a clear description and value; outside the EU it needs electronic customs data.
- The receiver pays any import duty or tax on arrival.
Offices usually work Greek office hours, and staff may answer in Greek. A service we recommend can make the calls and handle the pickup for you.
Rather not do it yourself? Couriers we recommend
Ask whether they can collect it from the office that has it, pack it and send it, and help with the customs paperwork. Ask for the price first.
Family-run Athens courier since 1988. Sends parcels within Greece and abroad, helps with customs clearance, and can store extra bags for travellers and deliver them later. Ask for a price on their website.
We recommend services we think are useful; some may pay us a fee if you book. Prices and terms are set by the service, so check them before you book.
More details
In short
NZ Customs does not collect duty, fees or GST unless the value of the item or shipment is over NZD 1,000 (exceptions: alcohol, tobacco and large consignments), but since 1 April 2026 consignment-based Customs and MPI levies apply to low-value goods. The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) examines mail and can detain items for biosecurity risk, including used outdoor gear, food, anything made of plants or wood, and souvenirs.
Good to know
- MPI charges can apply even when no Customs charges are collected.
- The High-Value Goods Import Levy is non-refundable in most circumstances.
- Customs says repaired goods re-imported may attract duty and GST on arrival.