Australia, New Zealand & the South Pacific - Taking Beef Jerky to NZ?

Costco has some nice 10 or 12 packs that would be dandy to munch on while I'm driving. Will they let me in with it?

I checked the customs web site, and it said little clearly, though it's apparent that taking in radioactive material or anti-personnel mines is verbotten, but human ashes are not a problem.

JP

Most countries prohibit "unprocessed" meat products due to the danger of disease, and NZ is no exception. The US regards most smoked meats as "unprocessed", not sure how NZ would treat beef jerky. They are likely to err on the side of caution and confiscate your jerky. I wouldn't try smuggling it in as they often use dogs and I imagine a dog would make a beeline for the beef jerky. This would net you a hefty fine along with a thorough search of the rest of your luggage and person (in case the jerky was cover for narcotics).

Don't even think about it - it will be a waste of time, money, hassle... and beef jerky too, of course! As an island which is naturally isolated from many pests and diseases, and reliant on a huge horticultural and agricultural industry, NZ has some of the most stringent rules in the world about importing food. Every single item of baggage is X-rayed on arrival for organic matter.

I know many people who have tried to bring beef jerky or biltong (its African equivalent) into NZ - all have failed.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news!

[This message has been edited by mad_atta (edited 07-23-2003).]

Have to agree - DON'T bring food into NZ. They have discount stores there and I'm sure you can find plenty of munchies for your trip. Exchange rate is still pretty good.

Enjoy!

Thanks--I guess it is a bit silly to carry 10 bags of dried meat halfway around the world. And, I think a Kiwi visiting here once shared some ostrich jerky with me--yum!

JP

How about Australia? I am going on vacation there in a few months. I have traveled to Europe several times in the past with beef jerky without any problems (I don't remember if I declared it or not).

[This message has been edited by edg1 (edited 07-30-2003).]

Although it's not as readily available in OZ as in the US you are able to buy Beef Jerky in Oz.
As far as taking it into the country it's a bit like NZ. They really won't have a sense of humour if you try to sneak it in.

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Chao.

You are subject to inbound customs xray on your bags both into NZ and OZ... These guys are sharp (well compared to most other countries)... I've seen them find fruit hidden in a corner of someones carry on bag via looking at the xray.

Just back from Australia. Don't waste your money trying to take jerky or other foods into that wonderful country. They use sniffer dogs and well trained people. Also if they find something they will tell you that you wasted THEIR time and yours! I got caught with a granola bar!

Bringing unopened, commercially packaged beef jerky produced by US companies into NZ has not been a problem. Simply declare it and keep it handy to show for inspection. We have done so on pretty much the last dozen trips we've made to NZ from the US. We've been thanked every time so far for declaring it and having it handy to show the NZ authorities -- then we've been allowed to bring it in to the country.

You'll win friends among the inspectors at AKL's baggage claim if you 1) DECLARE IT on your form and 2) tell the beagle handlers to bring their dog over to check out your bag with the beef jerky in it. The beagles score a hit and get praised with some "good boys" and attadogs. The handler typically will then take a quick look at the bag of jerky and make a note on your form that it's been inspected. This usually speeds thing up when you head through the inspection lanes.

Don't bother trying to bring beef jerky in to Australia though. The same commercially sealed package of beef jerky that you can declare and take into NZ will be seized by the Australian inspectors and burned.

Commercially packaged beef jerky from the US and Australia is OK to bring into New Zealand. It must be sealed and clearly say what it is and where it's from on the package. Do be sure and declare it as it must be cleared by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. Homemade beef jerky and that from many other countries is not allowed and will be confiscated. This should be current, but as one who's been put through the wringer by NZ's biosecurity folks (yes, they are the toughest I've encountered), you might want to write to them for confirmation.

Here's the email contact form.

http://www.maf.govt.nz/mafnet/enquiry/index.htm?/includes/biosecurity/contacts/animals/import-management-section.htm

thanks for the follow-up. The trip got canceled, due to my mother's illness (she's better for now, thanks). I'm up for renewal leave next year and am planning an RTW; next chance for NZ will be 2005.

JP