Check what you can bring and how to ship it

Why it matters

• Customs has a household effects concession. If you meet its criteria, you don't pay GST and duties on most of the household items you ship; if you don't, duty and GST apply.

Steps

1. Open Customs' household effects page and read the concession criteria and the clearance steps.
2. Check the criteria Customs lists. It says you might qualify if you're moving to New Zealand for the first time, or moving back after 21 months or more away, and it lists the visas that count, such as a work visa issued for at least 12 months.
3. Decide who clears your shipment: the shipping company, if it offers this, a Customs broker, or you.
4. Number your boxes and make a detailed list of the items in each one.
5. Complete Customs form NZCS 218 and gather the other documents Customs lists.
6. If you're sending goods that may be a biosecurity risk, consider MPI's supplementary declaration. MPI says it is voluntary and may mean lower clearance costs and faster clearance.
7. If your goods are shipped in wooden crates or containers, or wood is used as flooring or walls, check MPI's wood packaging requirements.
8. If you're shipping a car, scooter or motorbike, follow Customs' vehicles page instead.

Documents you'll need

• Customs form NZCS 218
• A copy of your passport and, if you don't hold a New Zealand or Australian passport, a document that shows you can live here
• A packing list of everything in the shipment
• The shipping document, such as the bill of lading or airway bill

Common mistakes

• Shipping new or unused items as household effects. Customs says they must be declared, and duty and GST apply.
• Expecting the concession to cover cars, motorbikes, boats or commercial items. Customs says it doesn't.
• Sending incomplete paperwork. Customs won't complete a clearance until it has all the documents.

Watch out for

• Customs says student visa holders don't qualify for the concession.
• Every sea container of household goods is inspected, by MPI or an accredited person.
• Goods that arrive more than five years after you do need a Customs officer's consent to come in under the concession.

Cost

• MPI charges for inspecting household goods, starting at $38.88 for one item.

Sources