Bringing Food into New Zealand
Jun 21, 2004, 7:17 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Long Island, New York
Programs: DELTA Skymiles:GOLD
Posts: 438
Bringing Food into New Zealand
Hi all,
My friends and I will be travelling to NZ in 2 weeks and we all keep kosher. We usually bring all our food with us when we travel ranging from meats to canned food. We thankfully have never had a problem but I have been hearing rumors that NZ is quite strict when it comes to bringing any type of food into the country. This even include canned ite,s which I find it hard to imagine of why those would pose a problem. if anyone has any info then it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
My friends and I will be travelling to NZ in 2 weeks and we all keep kosher. We usually bring all our food with us when we travel ranging from meats to canned food. We thankfully have never had a problem but I have been hearing rumors that NZ is quite strict when it comes to bringing any type of food into the country. This even include canned ite,s which I find it hard to imagine of why those would pose a problem. if anyone has any info then it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Jun 21, 2004, 7:52 pm
#2
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,422
Hi
Yes NZ is pretty strict. Here is a link to Quarantine on bringing in food items.
When you arrive you should declare all food. You will get asked about it and they'll probably want to take a look. If you dont declare food and it gets found there are fines (eg instant fine $200) and even imprisonment for serious offences. All luggage incl carry-ons gets xrayed on arrival. If you decide not to risk it there are amnesty bins before quarantine.
I hope you enjoy your visit.
Let me know if you want any more info, or I can be of help.
Yes NZ is pretty strict. Here is a link to Quarantine on bringing in food items.
When you arrive you should declare all food. You will get asked about it and they'll probably want to take a look. If you dont declare food and it gets found there are fines (eg instant fine $200) and even imprisonment for serious offences. All luggage incl carry-ons gets xrayed on arrival. If you decide not to risk it there are amnesty bins before quarantine.
I hope you enjoy your visit.
Let me know if you want any more info, or I can be of help.
Jun 22, 2004, 2:20 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SYD NSW AU
Posts: 118
Start here -
http://www.maf.govt.nz/quarantine/foodstuffs/index.htm
Read everything carefully and follow ALL of the links.
Basically the isolation of NZ (and OZ) means that many plant and animal diseases are not present in either country. Because food exporting is VERY important to both economies, the restrictions are VERY tight and penalties dire.
Tony Bailey
http://www.maf.govt.nz/quarantine/foodstuffs/index.htm
Read everything carefully and follow ALL of the links.
Basically the isolation of NZ (and OZ) means that many plant and animal diseases are not present in either country. Because food exporting is VERY important to both economies, the restrictions are VERY tight and penalties dire.
Tony Bailey
Last edited by Tonymercury; Jun 22, 2004 at 2:21 pm Reason: Spelling
Jul 19, 2004, 4:12 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Long Island, New York
Programs: DELTA Skymiles:GOLD
Posts: 438
All worked out in the end
We had emailed the agriculture dept. before we landed to confirm what we could bring. We were able to bring beef that was packaged in the United States with a USDA seal and all the canned food as well as long as it was produced in the United States. we were told no chicken or pork products (in this case the no pork was not a problem).
In australia though, all was taken away since it came from the U.S. So as strict as NZ is, the aussies were tougher.
In australia though, all was taken away since it came from the U.S. So as strict as NZ is, the aussies were tougher.
Jul 19, 2004, 11:34 am
#5
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,422
Glad to here it worked out, at least in NZ.
Anyone else unsure whether they can bring something I would recommend you check the website link above and contact Quarantine Service prior to departure.
Anyone else unsure whether they can bring something I would recommend you check the website link above and contact Quarantine Service prior to departure.
Jul 19, 2004, 3:26 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SYD NSW AU
Posts: 118
Channel 9 in SYD on SAT arvo had one of those "reality" type programmes from NZ called 'Border Control" or some such. One part of the episode featured some bloke from Hungary who failed to declare a salami which was picked up by the x-ray machine (and boy was it some salami - talk about penis envy!).
A good lesson on avoiding hastle by not doing it.
Even more interesting was the Oz transit passenger with one and a half tabs of Ectasy - picked up by one of the dogs - who got off with a warning but may like to avoid AKL in the future.
Tony Bailey
A good lesson on avoiding hastle by not doing it.
Even more interesting was the Oz transit passenger with one and a half tabs of Ectasy - picked up by one of the dogs - who got off with a warning but may like to avoid AKL in the future.
Tony Bailey
Jul 20, 2004, 7:18 pm
#7
Join Date: May 2002
Location: AKL, New Zealand
Posts: 241
Originally Posted by Tonymercury
Jul 21, 2004, 2:29 pm
#8
Join Date: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,617
On a related topic ...
Since the question about bringing beef jerky from the US into NZ or AU comes up about once a year on flyertalk, the answer is no you can't bring in beef jerky from the US into Australia -- they seize it and burn it. You can however bring beef jerky from the US into New Zealand provided that it meets the following requirements:
8.3 Private consignments of beef and beef products originating from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America, Vanuatu may be imported provided that the following requirements are met:
i. The country of origin shall be identifiable from the packaging.
ii. The product shall be commercially packaged.
iii. The product shall be sealed within its original packaging on arrival.
While there may be restrictions on commercial consignments from various countries (including the US), private imports are ok into NZ if they are declared and meet the above requirements.
Since the question about bringing beef jerky from the US into NZ or AU comes up about once a year on flyertalk, the answer is no you can't bring in beef jerky from the US into Australia -- they seize it and burn it. You can however bring beef jerky from the US into New Zealand provided that it meets the following requirements:
8.3 Private consignments of beef and beef products originating from Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Chile, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America, Vanuatu may be imported provided that the following requirements are met:
i. The country of origin shall be identifiable from the packaging.
ii. The product shall be commercially packaged.
iii. The product shall be sealed within its original packaging on arrival.
While there may be restrictions on commercial consignments from various countries (including the US), private imports are ok into NZ if they are declared and meet the above requirements.
Oct 4, 2017, 7:43 am
#9
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 938
I can't get the link above in post #3 work and NZ customs website does not give much details hence my question: Going to NZ soon and I usually travel with couple of protein bars and some whey protein powder. Would these be ok to bring in? I would of course declare them. Thanks.
Oct 4, 2017, 12:08 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,026
Post 3 is from 2004 (13 years ago)
Declare all food. It must be in the manufacturers original packaging. The dogs at immigration/customs/bio security are good at finding food.
"whey protein powder" = milk powder? NZ manufactures & exports 1000's of tonnes
https://www.mpi.govt.nz/law-and-poli...s/biosecurity/
https://www.mpi.govt.nz/travel-and-r...-personal-use/
https://www.mpi.govt.nz/travel-and-r...ms-to-declare/
https://www.mpi.govt.nz/importing/food/
http://www.customs.govt.nz/features/...s/default.aspx
https://www.mpi.govt.nz/importing/
Declare all food. It must be in the manufacturers original packaging. The dogs at immigration/customs/bio security are good at finding food.
"whey protein powder" = milk powder? NZ manufactures & exports 1000's of tonnes
https://www.mpi.govt.nz/law-and-poli...s/biosecurity/
https://www.mpi.govt.nz/travel-and-r...-personal-use/
https://www.mpi.govt.nz/travel-and-r...ms-to-declare/
https://www.mpi.govt.nz/importing/food/
http://www.customs.govt.nz/features/...s/default.aspx
https://www.mpi.govt.nz/importing/
Oct 4, 2017, 4:37 pm
#11
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: SMF
Posts: 1,251
I believe you'll be ok with whey powder and protein bars. We brought in several granola bars and they didn't have an issue with them. We did declare, and had to discard, anything with any produce, meat, or dairy, even a sandwich with a slice of lettuce. I'm not sure if whey would fall into that category.
Oct 4, 2017, 10:27 pm
#13
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 938
All, thanks for your replies and the links, very useful. I prefer to have couple of good quality bars with me for the first 1-2 days consumption as I have a busy schedule and not sure how soon will get a chance to go shopping for more. For me its the healthy option for afternoon / late night snack and not having to rely on the hotel minibar.
I'm really looking forward to travelling to NZ again, my last trip there was some 20 years ago.
I'm really looking forward to travelling to NZ again, my last trip there was some 20 years ago.
Oct 8, 2017, 7:15 pm
#14
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: AA EXP >3 Million miles,HH Lifetime Diamond
Posts: 2,887
I'm with you that carrying a little bit of healthy snacks is the way to go. I always travel with nuts and protein bars. We have been to NZ pretty much every year for the last 10 years or so, and I definitely declare all on the way in, and have not had any issues with packaged food. I have as others indicated forgotten an orange or apple that I had in my backpack intending to eat on the plane, and the dogs always find what you may have forgotten.