All cruise travellers arriving in New Zealand need to complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD).
The NZTD asks questions about your travel, including customs, immigration and biosecurity information. It aims to improve the safety and security of New Zealand.
You need to submit your digital declaration by the time the cruise ship has arrived at its first port in New Zealand.
The earliest you can submit your declaration is 24 hours before you depart the last international port before you travel to New Zealand.
You can start your declaration earlier if you want to. You will be emailed a reference number that you can use to review, complete or make changes to your declaration.
It is free and takes about 10 minutes.
Alternatively, you can complete your declaration using the online form. You will need to be connected to the internet to use the online form.
Check with your cruise line about internet options that might be available onboard.
You can use the reference number that has been emailed to you to review, complete or make changes to your declaration.
You will need to resubmit your declaration if you make any changes to it.
If you start your declaration in the online form, you must view, update or submit it there. If you start your declaration in the NZTD app, you can view, update or submit your declaration in the app or the online form.
New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority - Immigration New Zealand
Some items can carry harmful pests and diseases and need to be declared. This includes things like some foods, used outdoor equipment, animal and plant products. You also need to declare medicines, tobacco, alcohol and if you are carrying $10,000NZD or more cash (or equivalent) into New Zealand.
Your travel declaration is a legal document. False declarations can lead to penalties including confiscation of goods, a minimum instant fine of $400NZD, prosecution, imprisonment, and deportation from New Zealand.
If you’re unsure about what you can and can’t bring into New Zealand, check out the Biosecurity online tool.
Check if you can bring or send an item to New Zealand (Biosecurity online tool) - Manatū Ahu Matua Ministry for Primary Industries
How to declare items when arriving in New Zealand - Manatū Ahu Matua Ministry for Primary Industries
Prohibited and restricted items - New Zealand Customs Service
If you are having trouble with your declaration, you can ask someone you trust to help you or to fill it out on your behalf. There is a paper declaration form available on arrival, if needed. You do not need to fill in a paper declaration form if you have completed a digital declaration.
Remember the declaration is free to complete. Get in touch with our contact centre if you have questions.
Your digital declaration is linked to your passport. It’s automatically checked when you arrive.
If you are unable to complete a digital declaration, you can complete a paper declaration form – you do not need to do both.
Paper declaration forms will be provided to you onboard your cruise for those who are unable to complete a digital declaration. This must be completed by the time you arrive at the first port in New Zealand.
If you are ending your cruise in New Zealand and have completed a digital declaration, you will just need to present your passport to a border officer when you leave the ship for the last time.
If you have completed a paper declaration form, you will need to hold onto this until the end of your journey in New Zealand where you will present your passport and paper declaration form to a border officer when you leave the ship for the last time.
If you are ending your cruise in a different country to New Zealand and you have completed a digital declaration, there is nothing further you need to do.
If you have completed a paper declaration form, your cruise operator will inform you when and where to submit your declaration to Customs.
You may be required to speak with a border officer at any port in New Zealand.
If you have any questions about the New Zealand Traveller Declaration, you can phone our Contact Centre, which is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including public holidays.
Translation services are available over the phone if you need support completing your digital declaration.
Or you can send a message through the contact form, which is available on the Contact us page.
We monitor messages 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including public holidays. We aim to respond within 12 hours.
If you need immediate assistance, please call us.
