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What are the current rules about bringing in food and plants?

New Zealand continues to have strict laws to protect its agricultural industries from imported pests and diseases.

If you bring in items such as foods and plants, these must be declared at New Zealand Customs. Making an incorrect declaration may result in an instant fine of NZ$200.

For more serious breaches, such as illegally importing plants, animal materials and foodstuffs, you could be fined up to NZ$100,000 and /or serve five years in prison.

Visit Biosecurity New Zealand for a full list of what needs to be declared. If you are in doubt about any items, declare them. There is no penalty for declaring items that cannot be brought into New Zealand.

Like other countries, New Zealand has strict security concerning drugs, firearms and other dangerous goods.

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