New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD)
Arrival Card Oceania | New Zealand Traveller Declaration
August 12, 2026
✈️ Before You Go
Before you fly to New Zealand, you must complete the NZTD—this applies to every passenger, including citizens, residents, and infants, and it’s not optional. The actual online process takes about 10 minutes if you have your passport and flight details handy, but don’t leave it for the airport; do it 24 hours before departure to avoid stress. The biggest surprise for first-timers is that this isn’t just a customs form—it also covers biosecurity, which New Zealand takes incredibly seriously. You’ll be asked about food, outdoor gear, and even hiking boots, so declare anything you’re unsure about, because undeclared items can cost you NZ$400 or more. Here’s your insider tip: if you’re bringing prescription medication, have the original packaging and a doctor’s note ready to upload, as this can speed up clearance dramatically. The form itself is completely free—ignore any website charging you. Fill it out calmly, be honest about your camping gear and snacks, and you’ll walk through arrival in minutes, ready to enjoy the landscapes without a hitch.
⚠️ Important Notes
Fill Time Window
Submit online within 24 hours before starting your trip. Linked to your passport and checked automatically at eGates.
Cost
Free
0- • 1. Never use third-party websites or agents to complete the New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD). The official process is completely FREE — only travellerdeclaration.govt.nz or the official NZTD app is legitimate. Any site charging a fee is a scam.
- • 2. Submit your declaration no earlier than 24 hours before departure. If you submit too early, your information may become invalid because it's linked to your specific flight details — you'd need to redo it.
- • 3. Fill in your name and date of birth exactly as they appear on your passport. Do not use nicknames or alternate spellings, or you may be rejected at eGates or by border officers.
- • 4. Every traveller, including infants and children, must have their own separate declaration. You cannot combine family members into one form. Submit one per person.
- • 5. The NZTD is NOT a visa or an Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA). It's only an arrival declaration. If you need a visa, apply for it separately — this form does not replace any immigration permission.
- • 6. Before starting, ensure your device has a stable internet connection and location services enabled. If the form times out, check your email or app for a confirmation before resubmitting to avoid duplicate entries.
- • 7. After successful submission, immediately screenshot or download the QR code receipt. Save it offline because airport Wi-Fi may be unreliable, and you'll need to show it.
- • 8. Be 100% honest on customs questions, especially about food, medicines, plant/animal products, and items over duty-free limits. Concealment can lead to heavy fines or even denial of entry.
- • 9. If you cannot complete the form online before arrival, don't panic — paper forms are available at the airport or port. But expect longer queues because the manual process is slower.
- • 10. If you skip the NZTD entirely, you can still enter New Zealand, but you'll face delays at border control, and you may be blocked at eGates and sent to a staffed counter. Complete it before your flight to save time.
📋 Field Guide
| Field Name | Tips & Notes |
|---|---|
Passport Number Passport Number | Enter the alphanumeric code from the top right of your passport bio page (e.g., N1234567). Do not include spaces or hyphens. Match the Machine Readable Zone (MRZ) exactly. Use the passport you will travel with; if you have two, use the one for this trip. |
Country of Residence Country of Residence | This is where you normally live, not your birthplace or nationality. If you've lived in NZ for over 12 months, select 'New Zealand'. Short-term visitors choose their home country. Options are alphabetical; note the distinction between 'China' and 'Taiwan, China'. |
Arrival Date Arrival Date | Enter the date your flight or vessel actually lands in New Zealand (local time), not the departure date. Format is DD/MM/YYYY. For example, arriving 3 June 2025 → 03/06/2025. Do not submit more than 24 hours before arrival. |
Items to Declare (Biosecurity) Items to Declare (Biosecurity) | You must declare all food, plants, animal products, outdoor gear (including hiking boots, tents), soil, or wooden items. When in doubt, answer YES — undeclared items found can result in fines from NZ$400. Common traps: fruit from the plane, honey, spices with seeds, dirt on camping gear. |
Contact in New Zealand Contact in New Zealand | Provide a phone number (mobile or landline) where you can be reached after arrival — not an address. Format: start with +64, drop the leading 0. Example: Auckland mobile 021 234 5678 → +64 21 234 5678. If you have no NZ number, use your hotel front desk or a friend/relative's number and ensure they can reach you. |
💬 Travel Experience Exchange
Applying or already traveled? Share your entry/exit experience, real problems encountered, or recent changes to help fellow travelers — our editors will also respond regularly.
- Share pitfalls or surprises during your entry process
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