Traveling with Medications to 🇳🇿 New Zealand
| Medication | Category | Status | Quantity Limit | Permit Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Codeine Co-codamol, Tylenol 3, Solpadeine | opioid-analgesic | RESTRICTED | 3 months supply for personal use | NO |
Tramadol Ultram, Tramacet, Zydol | opioid-analgesic | RESTRICTED | 90-day supply | NO |
Adderall (Amphetamine) Adderall, Adderall XR, Dexedrine | stimulant | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Ritalin (Methylphenidate) Ritalin, Concerta, Medikinet | stimulant | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Modafinil Provigil, Alertec, Modavigil | wakefulness-agent | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Testosterone Sustanon, Nebido, AndroGel | hormone-anabolic | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Medical Cannabis Epidiolex, Sativex, Bedrocan | cannabis | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
CBD (Cannabidiol) Charlotte's Web, Epidiolex, Various brands | cannabis-derivative | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Diazepam Valium, Diastat, Diazemuls | benzodiazepine | RESTRICTED | 3 months supply for personal use | NO |
Melatonin Circadin, Natrol Melatonin, Various OTC brands | sleep-hormone | ALLOWED | 3 months personal use supply | NO |
Pseudoephedrine Sudafed, Actifed, Clarinase | decongestant | RESTRICTED | Personal use quantity in original packaging | NO |
Amoxicillin Amoxil, Trimox, Augmentin (with clavulanic acid) | antibiotic | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Azithromycin Zithromax, Zmax, Z-Pak | antibiotic | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Metformin Glucophage, Fortamet, Glumetza | diabetes-medication | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Insulin (injectable) Humalog, NovoLog, Lantus | diabetes-medication | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Atorvastatin Lipitor | lipid-lowering | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Lisinopril Prinivil, Zestril | antihypertensive | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Amlodipine Norvasc | antihypertensive | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Levothyroxine Synthroid, Eltroxin, Euthyrox | thyroid-hormone | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Omeprazole Prilosec, Losec | proton-pump-inhibitor | ALLOWED | Personal-use | NO |
Prednisone (Prednisolone) Deltasone, Sterapred | corticosteroid | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Salbutamol / Albuterol (inhaler) Ventolin, Proventil, ProAir | bronchodilator | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Warfarin Coumadin, Jantoven | anticoagulant | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Ibuprofen Advil, Motrin, Nurofen | nsaid | ALLOWED | Personal-use | NO |
Paracetamol / Acetaminophen Tylenol, Panadol, Calpol | analgesic | ALLOWED | Personal-use | NO |
Morphine MS Contin, Sevredol | opioid-analgesic | RESTRICTED | 90-day supply | NO |
Oxycodone OxyContin, Percocet, Roxicodone | opioid-analgesic | RESTRICTED | 90-day supply | NO |
Alprazolam Xanax, Niravam | benzodiazepine | RESTRICTED | 90-day supply | NO |
Lorazepam Ativan | benzodiazepine | RESTRICTED | 90-day supply | NO |
Sertraline Zoloft, Lustral | antidepressant | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Fluoxetine Prozac, Sarafem | antidepressant | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Metoprolol Lopressor, Toprol-XL, Betaloc | beta-blocker | RESTRICTED | Personal-use 90-day supply | NO |
Esomeprazole Nexium | proton-pump-inhibitor | ALLOWED | Personal-use | NO |
Detailed Rules
Codeine
WHO: Narcotic (Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961)
Low-dose codeine (up to 12mg per dose) was previously available over-the-counter in NZ as a pharmacy-only medicine, but was reclassified to prescription-only in 2020. Travelers bringing codeine from abroad should carry a valid prescription. Keep in original packaging and declare at customs if in doubt.
- —Prescription or pharmacist record for higher-dose products
Tramadol
WHO: Not internationally scheduled but controlled in many countries
Tramadol is a controlled substance; carry in original container with prescription.
- —Original prescription
- —Pharmacy label
Adderall (Amphetamine)
WHO: Psychotropic substance (Convention on Psychotropic Substances, 1971, Schedule II)
Adderall (Amphetamine) is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Ritalin (Methylphenidate)
WHO: Psychotropic substance (Schedule II)
Ritalin (Methylphenidate) is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Modafinil
WHO: Psychotropic substance (Schedule IV)
Modafinil is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Testosterone
WHO: Not scheduled under international conventions but controlled as anabolic steroid in many countries
Testosterone is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Medical Cannabis
WHO: Schedule I (Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961)
Medical Cannabis is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
CBD (Cannabidiol)
WHO: Removed from Schedule I in 2020 WHO recommendation; national laws vary widely
CBD (Cannabidiol) is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Diazepam
WHO: Psychotropic substance (Schedule IV)
Diazepam is a Class C controlled drug in New Zealand. Travelers may bring a personal supply with a valid prescription. Declare at customs if uncertain and keep in original pharmacy packaging.
- —Valid prescription
- —Doctor's letter
Melatonin
WHO: Not internationally scheduled
Melatonin in doses up to 10mg is available as a pharmacy-only medicine in New Zealand (reclassified from prescription in 2020). Travelers may bring personal supplies in original packaging without a prescription. Higher-dose formulations should be accompanied by documentation.
Pseudoephedrine
WHO: Precursor chemical (listed in Table I of the UN Convention Against Illicit Traffic, 1988)
Pseudoephedrine is a Class C controlled drug in New Zealand under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 due to methamphetamine precursor concerns. It is available pharmacy-only in limited formulations. Travelers bringing pseudoephedrine-containing cold medicines should keep in original factory packaging and declare if uncertain.
- —Original packaging
Amoxicillin
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (penicillin antibiotic)
Amoxicillin is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Azithromycin
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (macrolide antibiotic)
Azithromycin is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Metformin
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (oral antidiabetic)
Metformin is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Insulin (injectable)
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (hormone)
Insulin (injectable) is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Atorvastatin
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (statin)
Atorvastatin is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Lisinopril
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (ACE inhibitor)
Lisinopril is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Amlodipine
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (calcium channel blocker)
Amlodipine is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Levothyroxine
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (thyroid hormone)
Levothyroxine is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Omeprazole
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (PPI)
Omeprazole is OTC.
Prednisone (Prednisolone)
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (corticosteroid)
Prednisone (Prednisolone) is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Salbutamol / Albuterol (inhaler)
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (β2-agonist)
Salbutamol / Albuterol (inhaler) is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Warfarin
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (anticoagulant)
Warfarin is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Ibuprofen
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (NSAID)
Ibuprofen is OTC in most destinations.
Paracetamol / Acetaminophen
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (analgesic)
Paracetamol / Acetaminophen is OTC in most destinations.
Morphine
WHO: Narcotic (UN Single Convention 1961)
Morphine is a controlled substance; carry in original container with prescription.
- —Original prescription
- —Pharmacy label
Oxycodone
WHO: Narcotic (UN Single Convention 1961)
Oxycodone is a controlled substance; carry in original container with prescription.
- —Original prescription
- —Pharmacy label
Alprazolam
WHO: Psychotropic (UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances 1971, Schedule IV)
Alprazolam is a controlled substance; carry in original container with prescription.
- —Original prescription
- —Pharmacy label
Lorazepam
WHO: Psychotropic (UN Convention 1971 Schedule IV)
Lorazepam is a controlled substance; carry in original container with prescription.
- —Original prescription
- —Pharmacy label
Sertraline
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (SSRI)
Sertraline is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Fluoxetine
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (SSRI)
Fluoxetine is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Metoprolol
WHO: WHO Essential Medicines List (beta-blocker)
Metoprolol is a prescription-only medication. Carry in original container.
- —Original prescription / pharmacy label
- —Original retail packaging
Esomeprazole
WHO: PPI (related to omeprazole)
Esomeprazole is OTC.