Coral & Seashells → New Zealand

Coral & Seashells may require documentation or declaration

Details

Coral & Seashells may require documentation or declaration. Enforcement in New Zealand carries fines from NZD 400 to NZD 5,000 under Biosecurity Act 1993 s.157, s.155; Customs and Excise Act 2018 (ordinary personal cases are handled as civil infringements). Restricted status means compliant carriage is achievable with the right paperwork and quantities; the practical risks are seizure, duty, and delay rather than criminal liability for a good-faith traveller. 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 coral & seashells is a separate question: restricted — Corals are CITES-listed — taking coral out of New Zealand requires permits, while ordinary non-protected seashells move freely in small quantities.

Documentation required

• Documentation may be required

Leaving with this item

Corals are CITES-listed — taking coral out of New Zealand requires permits, while ordinary non-protected seashells move freely in small quantities.

Practical advice

New Zealand restricts import of Coral & Seashells. Cultural-property protection is bilateral: both origin export rules and destination import rules apply. Carry provenance documentation demonstrating lawful acquisition and (where applicable) origin-country export licence. Museum-loan and dealer-import categories operate under separate frameworks with pre-approved dealer registration.

Customs authority

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