Taking codeine (medication) out of New Zealand
Codeine (opioid analgesic) is a controlled substance subject to personal-export limits when leaving New Zealand.
Details
Codeine-containing medications are controlled substances under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975; Customs and Excise Act 2018 framework. Personal-use quantities accompanied by the prescription and pharmacist dispensing label are generally permitted for export. Codeine-combination cough and cold products may be over-the-counter in some jurisdictions but still controlled for cross-border movement above threshold quantities. Personal export above the standard personal-use limit requires an Medsafe personal export authorisation. Destination-country rules on codeine import are more restrictive in many jurisdictions (Japan, UAE, Saudi Arabia, some Gulf states) and should be verified independently.
Quantity limits
Personal-use quantity in original packaging with prescription label
Documentation required
- Prescription or pharmacist dispensing label
- Doctor's letter for continued treatment
- Medsafe personal export authorisation (if above personal-use)
The other direction
Bringing codeine (medication) into New Zealand(restricted)