Visitors to New Zealand are allowed to bring several items into the country duty free. These goods include up to 4.5 liters of wine and beer (or six standard 750 ml bottles of wine); three bottles of liquor; up to 1125 ml per bottle; and 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars or a combination of the two totaling no more than 250 grams. Items valued under NZ $700 (or about US $485 as of June 2010) may also be brought in without paying a customs duty; items costing more must be declared, but can be imported.
Guns and firearms are highly controlled in New Zealand. Bringing a gun into the country is considered illegal unless the owner declares the weapon and has a proper permit to bring it into the country. Prescription medicine and other drugs are also not allowed unless accompanied by a medical prescription. Pirated DVDs, books and music, in addition to pornography are also not allowed into the country by customs. In addition, drug paraphernalia, including pipes intended for smoking marijuana, are prohibited.
To protect the country from unwanted pests, New Zealand requires that everyone entering the country declare all the biological goods they have with them. These items include all food items, plant products, seeds, animals and animal products, soil, and biological cultures. Dirt stuck to camping or sporting gear should also be declared. Customs agents have the right to prevent these items from entering the country without proper inspection and/or disposal. Fines for failing to declare these items are automatically NZ $400 (or about US $ 275).
New Zealand customs prohibits the export of several restricted items. This includes any artifact over 50 years old which has a scientific or artistic value; such items include Maori artifacts, collectibles such as rare coins and stamps, as well as photographs, films and books considered to have historical importance. Removing live animals (except for pets) and endangered plant life is also strictly prohibited.
