Can I send medicine to New Zealand?
Yes, with conditions.
Up to three months' supply of prescription medicine (six for oral contraceptives), with an original letter or prescription from a New Zealand authorized prescriber. Over-the-counter medicines are fine for personal use. No controlled drugs or CBD.
For every Onvoyo box: Onvoyo can't carry prescription drugs. Over-the-counter medicine and vitamins follow the destination's own rules.
More rules for New Zealand
Not allowed
- Medicines that contain controlled drugs, sent by courier or post
Allowed with conditions
- Medicines
- Up to three months' supply of a prescription medicine (six months for oral contraceptives), with an original letter or prescription from a New Zealand authorized prescriber that matches the medicine exactly. Customs may hold the package until this is checked. Over-the-counter medicines are fine for your own or your family's use. Medicines with controlled drugs can't be sent.
Quantity limits
- Medicines
- Up to three months' supply of a prescription medicine (six months for oral contraceptives), with a New Zealand prescriber's letter or prescription. Controlled drugs can't be sent; travelers may carry up to one month's supply.
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 medicine to New Zealand?
Yes, with conditions. Up to three months' supply of prescription medicine (six for oral contraceptives), with an original letter or prescription from a New Zealand authorized prescriber. Over-the-counter medicines are fine for personal use. No controlled drugs or CBD.
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.