🇳🇿 New Zealand— Cash & Currency
New Zealand Customs Service (NZCS)
2026-04-25
Declaration Threshold
US$6,100
NZD
You must declare to customs if you are carrying cash, traveler's cheques, money orders, or negotiable bearer instruments totaling above this amount when entering or leaving New Zealand.
What Must Be Declared
| Instrument | Declaration Required |
|---|---|
| Physical currency (any currency) | Yes, if above threshold |
| Traveler's cheques | Yes, if above threshold |
| Bank drafts / money orders | Yes, if above threshold |
| Bearer bonds / negotiable instruments | Yes, if above threshold |
| Credit cards / debit cards | Generally no |
| Electronic payment apps | Generally no |
Failure to declare
Carrying undeclared cash above the threshold can result in seizure of funds, fines, and in some jurisdictions criminal prosecution. When in doubt, declare.
Additional Country Notes
- 01New Zealand Customs and Biosecurity NZ take biosecurity very seriously — declare all food, plant, and animal items.
- 02The New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) is completed digitally before arrival.
- 03Duty on most goods is 5% or less; some goods have 0% duty under FTAs.
- 04GST is 15% and applies to most imported goods.
- 05CPTPP and other FTAs may provide preferential rates.
- 06Importers of commercial goods valued above NZD $1,000 must lodge a customs import entry.