Body Armour → New Zealand

Body Armour import prohibited

Details

Body Armour import prohibited. Enforcement in New Zealand carries fines from NZD 5,000 to NZD 500,000 and imprisonment up to 7 years in aggravated cases under Customs and Excise Act 2018 s.388; Misuse of Drugs Act 1975. Because body armour is prohibited rather than restricted, there is no permit route for an ordinary traveller — attempted import is treated as smuggling regardless of intent. Arrival checks are carried out by New Zealand Customs Service (NZCS); when in doubt use the declare (red) channel — declared goods at worst attract duty or surrender, while undeclared goods attract penalties. Leaving New Zealand with body armour is a separate question: restricted — Body armour is a dual-use controlled good; export from New Zealand above civilian protection levels requires authorisation.

Leaving with this item

Body armour is a dual-use controlled good; export from New Zealand above civilian protection levels requires authorisation.

Practical advice

Do not carry civilian body armour, ballistic vests, or stab vests into New Zealand. NZ Customs requires an end-user permit issued only to law-enforcement / military / accredited security professionals; tourist carriage is treated as a weapons-import offence.

Customs authority

New Zealand Customs Service (NZCS) · https://www.customs.govt.nz