International · NZ
How to Ship to New Zealand from the US
New Zealand has biosecurity rules even stricter than Australia — any food, plant, or animal-related items are heavily scrutinized. Consumer goods ship easily once past biosecurity inspection. NZ Post handles USPS final delivery; DHL/FedEx for express.
GST (15%) applies to most imports over NZD 60 for consumers. Below that, no tax.
Typical 1 lb cost
$25-$50 USD
Typical transit
5-14 business days
Carrier Options to New Zealand
DHL Express Worldwide
3-5 business days.
FedEx International Priority
3-5 business days.
USPS Priority Mail International
7-14 business days. NZ Post final-mile.
UPS Worldwide Expedited
4-6 business days.
Customs Forms Required
CN22 under $400. CN23 + commercial invoice above.
Commonly Prohibited Items
- ✕Food, meat, dairy, honey (biosecurity strict)
- ✕Seeds, plants, wood products (without phytosanitary cert)
- ✕Animal products (fur, leather from unregulated sources)
- ✕Firearms and ammunition
New Zealand-Specific Shipping Tips
- 💡 NZ biosecurity is the strictest in the world — even dried flowers or wooden gifts can be rejected
- 💡 NZ GST: 15% on imports above NZD 60 for consumers
- 💡 NZ addresses: Number + Street + Suburb + Town/City + Postcode (4 digits)
- 💡 Avoid shipping items with soil, wood, or natural fibers (even trace amounts)
- 💡 Include accurate declaration — incorrect description triggers biosecurity hold
Frequently asked questions
Why is NZ biosecurity so strict?
Isolated ecosystem — invasive species can devastate native wildlife and agriculture. Even innocuous items (dried flowers, wood crafts) face rejection.
How long does shipping to NZ take?
DHL/FedEx Express: 3-5 business days. USPS Priority International: 7-14 days.
What's NZ GST?
15% on imports over NZD 60 for consumers. Under that threshold, no tax.
Can I send food to NZ?
Most food is prohibited by biosecurity. Sealed, shelf-stable items may pass inspection but risk destruction. Generally avoid food shipments to NZ.
How long does shipping to New Zealand really take?
Distance is the defining factor — New Zealand is about as far from the US and Europe as shipping gets. Express (DHL/FedEx/UPS) runs roughly 3-6 business days; postal (USPS to NZ Post) is more like 1-3 weeks. Set customer expectations for genuinely long transit on economy services, and remember there's no fast option that beats the geography by much.
What are New Zealand's biosecurity rules?
Strict — among the world's toughest. New Zealand aggressively protects its agriculture and ecology, so anything organic (food, plant material, wooden items, used outdoor gear with soil) faces inspection, treatment, or refusal. Declare organic contents precisely and expect biosecurity scrutiny; an undeclared apple or dirty hiking boot can trigger fines and destruction, not just delay.
Does GST apply to parcels sent to New Zealand?
Yes — New Zealand collects 15% GST on imported goods, and for lower-value consignments overseas sellers above the registration threshold are expected to collect it at the point of sale. Above the threshold, Customs assesses GST (and any duty) before release. Marketplaces typically handle GST collection; direct sellers should know whether they're registered or leaving the buyer to pay on arrival.
How should I write a New Zealand address?
Recipient, street number and name, suburb, then town/city with the four-digit postcode, and NEW ZEALAND on the final line. Include a phone number for courier coordination, especially rural deliveries (NZ's Rural Delivery network reaches remote addresses but benefits from a contact number). NZ Post handles postal final-mile nationwide including rural routes.
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