Can I send alcohol or tobacco to New Zealand?
Not allowed
No.
Taxed at any value and generally refused by express carriers. Some tobacco can't come by mail at all. Don't pack them.
For every Onvoyo box: Onvoyo and most express couriers don't carry alcohol, tobacco or vaping products in personal boxes, whatever the destination allows.
More rules for New Zealand
Not allowed
- Luxury goods made in Russia, such as vodka, seafood, truffles, and precious stones, and other Russian-made goods worth more than NZ$1,000, including clothing, footwear, and personal electronics
Allowed with conditions
- Alcohol and tobacco
- Duty and GST are charged at any value, and the NZ$1,000 threshold doesn't apply. Some tobacco products can't come by international mail and are seized and destroyed.
Quantity limits
- Shipments by courier or post
- No duty or GST on a shipment worth NZ$1,000 (about US$570) or less, apart from alcohol and tobacco, which are taxed at any value.
- Alcohol (travelers only)
- 4.5 liters of wine or beer, plus 3 bottles of spirits or liqueur of up to 1.125 liters each, for travelers aged 17 or over. Does not apply to shipments.
- Tobacco (travelers only)
- 50 cigarettes, or 50 g of cigars or tobacco, or 50 g of a mix, for travelers aged 17 or over. Does not apply to shipments.
Before you ship to New Zealand
- Tax-free limit
- NZ$1,000 (about US$570) per shipment. Customs collects no duty or GST on a shipment worth NZ$1,000 or less, except on alcohol and tobacco, which are taxed at any value. Several orders from the same supplier that arrive on the same day count as one shipment. Since April 1, 2026, gifts have no separate concession: a gift worth NZ$1,000 or less comes in free, and one worth more pays duty and GST like any other goods. On low-value shipments the courier pays a small goods levy (NZ$2.21 plus GST by air, about US$1.50) and may pass it on.
- Receiver ID
- No tax number is needed for a personal shipment. At NZ$1,000 or more, including gifts, the receiver needs a Customs Number, applied for on form NZCS 224A with a copy of photo ID. Apply before the boxes arrive.
- Transit
- 2-4 business days from Australia; 4-7 from Asia, North America, or Europe
Questions
Can I send alcohol or tobacco to New Zealand?
No. Taxed at any value and generally refused by express carriers. Some tobacco can't come by mail at all. Don't pack them.
Ask about a specific item
Official sources
- 1.
New Zealand Customs Service
TSW Fact Sheet: Importing goods for personal use (opens in a new tab) - 2.
New Zealand Customs Service
NZCS 218: Bring personal household items into New Zealand (opens in a new tab) - 3.
Medsafe (New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority)
Importing Medicines (opens in a new tab) - 4.
New Zealand Customs Service
Receive items from overseas (opens in a new tab) - 5.
New Zealand Customs Service
Send items overseas (opens in a new tab) - 6.
New Zealand Customs Service
Duty-free shopping (opens in a new tab) - 7.
New Zealand Customs Service
Duty and allowances (opens in a new tab)
General guidance, not legal advice. Customs in New Zealand makes the final decision on every box.