Khat 🇳🇿 New Zealand

Q: Can I bring Khat to New Zealand?

Khat import prohibited Khat is legal and widely consumed in Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Djibouti, and Yemen but is a controlled substance in many Western countries. The UK classified khat as a Class C drug in 2014. The US lists cathinone as Schedule I, making khat illegal. G

PROHIBITEDVERIFIED · 2026-04-25MEDIUM CONFIDENCE

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Khat import prohibited

ANSWER

Can I bring Khat into New Zealand?

PROHIBITEDVERIFIED · 2026-04-25MEDIUM CONFIDENCE

Khat import prohibited

DECLARATION

Required at the destination customs authority

SOURCE

customs.govt.nz

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Full details

Khat is legal and widely consumed in Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Djibouti, and Yemen but is a controlled substance in many Western countries. The UK classified khat as a Class C drug in 2014. The US lists cathinone as Schedule I, making khat illegal. G

ENFORCEMENT

Active — Customs actively enforces this rule.

PRACTICAL ADVICE

Do not carry khat (Catha edulis), fresh or dried, into New Zealand. NZ Customs treats it as a controlled drug; carriage triggers seizure plus possible criminal charge under the local misuse-of-drugs statute. There is no permit pathway for personal use.

OFFICIAL SOURCES · VERIFIED 2026-04-25

customs.govt.nz

RULE DETAILS

CUSTOMS AUTHORITY

New Zealand Customs Service (NZCS)

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AIR TRAVEL IS SEPARATE

This page covers destination customs rules in New Zealand. Whether you can carry khat through security, in carry-on, or in checked baggage depends on airline and screening rules — see air travel rules.

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