New Zealand Traveler Declaration (NZTD)

The New Zealand traveler Declaration (NZTD) sets out the requirements that travelers must meet before entering New Zealand. It outlines who needs to complete the declaration, what information must be provided, and how to submit it correctly. Authorities use the NZTD to assess biosecurity risks, customs obligations, and public health measures. Each section provides clear instructions to help travelers comply with entry procedures and fulfil their responsibilities. To board your flight or cruise to New Zealand you need a valid passport or travel document, and have the right visa or an NZ eTA.

What Is the New Zealand Traveler Declaration?

The New Zealand traveler Declaration (NZTD) is a mandatory form that collects travel, customs, immigration, and biosecurity information from all travelers entering New Zealand. It replaces the previous Passenger Arrival Card and strengthens New Zealand’s border safety and security.

How Does the New Zealand Traveler Declaration Work?

The New Zealand Traveler Declaration (NZTD) collects travel, customs, immigration, and biosecurity details from all arriving travelers. It replaces the former Passenger Arrival Card and is free for everyone entering New Zealand. Travelers must complete the declaration digitally before boarding their flight or vessel.

Air travelers may submit the declaration 24 hours before the start of their journey. If traveling long-haul without a stopover, they may submit it 24 hours before the first leg. Sea travelers can submit the form 24 hours before their vessel leaves the last foreign port.

After starting the form, travelers receive a reference number by email. This number allows them to review, update, or complete the declaration. Any change requires resubmission. Once submitted, a confirmation email provides entry information based on the details given. Printing is not needed, as the declaration links to the traveler’s passport and is verified at the e - Gate or by a border personnel upon arrival.

Why Is the New Zealand Traveler Declaration Required?

The New Zealand traveler Declaration (NZTD) is designed to collect essential information from all arriving travelers. This includes details related to travel, customs, immigration, and biosecurity. The declaration supports national safety measures and replaces the former Passenger Arrival Card.

Key Function	Description
Data Collected	Travel, customs, immigration, and biosecurity information.
Replaces	Former Passenger Arrival Card.
Purpose	Supports New Zealand’s border safety and security measures.
Applicability	Mandatory for all travelers entering New Zealand.

How Do You Start the New Zealand Traveler Declaration?

You can start the New Zealand traveler Declaration online or through the official mobile app. A reference number will be emailed once you begin, which you can use to review or update your declaration.

New Zealand Traveler Declaration Online Form:
Access the New Zealand Traveler Declaration through their online platform.
New Zealand Traveler Declaration Mobile App:
Install the New Zealand Traveler Declaration app through either the App Store or Google Play, and complete your form using your phone or tablet.

What Information Is Required?

Travelers are required to provide truthful and up-to-date details when completing the New Zealand Traveler Declaration. The information assists border authorities in assessing customs, immigration, and biosecurity matters before arrival. All entries must accurately reflect your travel plans and personal circumstances.

Passport Details: Include your full name, passport number, nationality, and expiry date
Travel Information: Provide your flight or vessel number, date of arrival, and country of departure
Contact Details: Provide a email address and valid phone number for contact purposes.
Accommodation: State the address where you will be staying in New Zealand (if applicable).
Customs Declarations: List any items you are bringing, such as food, plants, or animal products.
Biosecurity Information: Declare any goods that could pose a risk to New Zealand’s environment.
Health Information: Provide details about your travel history and any recent health-related declarations, if required.

What If You Have More Than One Passport?

If you hold more than one passport, you must enter the details of the passport you will use to enter New Zealand. The system uses your passport number to match your declaration during arrival processing.

Accurate passport entry allows border systems to match your declaration without delay, supporting faster processing at e-Gates or by a border officer.

Colorful Capsules Scattered On Blue Background

What Items Must Be Declared?

Travelers entering New Zealand must declare items that may carry pests or diseases and pose a risk to the country’s environment, agriculture, or public health. These items include certain food products, used outdoor equipment, animal or plant materials, medicines, tobacco, alcohol, and cash amounting to NZ $10,000 or more (or its foreign equivalent).

The New Zealand Traveler Declaration is a legally binding document. If travelers provide incorrect or missing information, they may face penalties, including the seizure of goods, a minimum fine of NZ $400, legal action, or removal from the country.

Items You May Need to Declare:

Food (including fresh, cooked, or packaged goods)
Plant or animal products
Camping or outdoor equipment
Tobacco and alcohol
Cash worth NZ $10,000 or more (or foreign currency equivalent)

How to Submit the New Zealand Traveler Declaration?

Air travelers may submit their declaration no earlier than 24 hours before the beginning of their journey to New Zealand.
Sea travelers may submit their declaration no earlier than 24 hoursbefore their vessel departs from the last foreign port before entering New Zealand.

After submission, travelers will receive a confirmation email containing entry information based on the details provided in the declaration. Printing the declaration is not required.

How to Update Your New Zealand Traveler Declaration?

Travelers may use the reference number emailed to them to review, complete, or amend their New Zealand Traveler Declaration. If the declaration was started using the online form, it must be accessed and updated through the same platform. If the declaration was initiated in the NZTD app, travelers may update or submit it either through the app or the online form.

Any changes made to the declaration require resubmission. Travelers may continue to make updates until they reach passport control or are processed by a border officer in New Zealand.

Important Points To Rember:

Travelers cannot make changes after passing through passport control or being processed by a border officer.
If an item was not declared, the traveler must speak directly with a border officer.
Failure to declare a restricted or prohibited item may result in a fine or prosecution.

What If Your Travel Plans Change?

If you change your flight booking, you must update your declaration with the new travel details and resubmit it.

If your airline cancels the original booking or adjusts the flight details, and both departure and arrival remain on the same day, no update to your declaration is required. However, if your arrival shifts to another day, you must revise and resubmit the declaration to reflect the updated schedule.

For sea travel, if there is a change in the arrival date or vessel information, you must also update your declaration accordingly.

Who Must Complete the New Zealand Traveler Declaration?

Travelers arriving in New Zealand by air or on cruise ships are required to complete the New Zealand Traveler Declaration (NZTD). This applies to all passengers who are entering the country through international airports or by sea on cruise vessels. By submitting accurate and complete information, travelers help New Zealand authorities manage border security, customs procedures, and public health requirements.

Sea Arrivals Required to Complete the NZTD

Travelers entering New Zealand by sea, either as passengers or crew, must also complete the New Zealand traveler Declaration (NZTD). This applies to individuals arriving on:

Cruise ships
Recreational vessels, yachts, or small craft
Commercial vessels
Specialist vessels
Fishing vessels
Diplomatically cleared vessels
New Zealand Defence Force vessels

Tip: Medical evacuations, sea rescues, and weather diversions are exempt from the NZTD.

Declaration Timing for Long-Haul Travel and Stopovers

Travelers on long-haul journeys to New Zealand must follow specific rules regarding when they can submit the New Zealand Traveler Declaration. The submission timeframe is based on whether the trip includes a stopover or remains continuous.

Traveling with a Stopover

If you leave the airport and take your bags during a stopover, you may submit the NZTD 24 hours before your flight departs from the stopover location.

Travelling without a Stopover

If you stay in transit and do not leave the airport or retrieve your luggage, you may submit the NZTD 24 hours before the first flight of your journey.

Who Is Exempt from the New Zealand Traveler Declaration?

Air travelers transiting through New Zealand who remain within the airport’s transit area are not required to complete a declaration.

Travelers who arrive in New Zealand due to an emergency may also be exempt from submitting a declaration. This includes individuals medically evacuated, rescued at sea, or brought into the country temporarily because of adverse weather conditions.

Do Families or Groups Need Separate Declarations?

When traveling as a family or in a group, each person must complete a separate New Zealand Traveler Declaration. This requirement includes all individuals, including infants and children.

A caregiver may complete the declaration on behalf of any child or infant they are accompanying.

Travelers may find it more convenient to use the New Zealand Traveler Declaration mobile app. The app allows users to duplicate their travel details into another declaration, which simplifies the process of completing multiple declarations for the same trip. Once submitted, all declarations appear together in the app for easy reference.

Need Help Completing the New Zealand Traveler Declaration?

Travelers may request a paper declaration form upon arrival if necessary. Those who have already completed the digital declaration are not required to fill in the paper version.

The New Zealand Traveler Declaration is free of charge.

For any enquiries regarding the New Zealand Traveler Declaration, you may contact the official support centre. However, please note that the contact centre cannot complete the declaration on your behalf.

Available Languages for the Traveler Declaration

The New Zealand Traveler Declaration (NZTD) is accessible in multiple languages to assist travellers. While questions may appear in various languages, all answers must be submitted in English.

Languages available in both the New Zealand Traveler Declaration online form and mobile app:

Te Reo Māori
简体中文 / Chinese (Simplified)
繁體中文 / Chinese (Traditional)
Vosa Vakaviti / Fijian
Français / French
Deutsch / German
हिंदी / Hindi
日本語 / Japanese
한국어 / Korean
Malay / Malaysian
Português / Portuguese

Additional Languages Available on the Online Form:

Gagana Samoa / Samoan
Tagalog / Tagalog
தமிழ் / Tamil
Lea Faka-Tonga / Tongan

Conclusion

The New Zealand Traveler Declaration ensures safe and efficient border entry. By submitting accurate details and updating any changes, travelers help protect New Zealand’s security and environment while ensuring a smooth arrival process.

Frequently Asked Question?

Yes. All travelers entering New Zealand, including citizens and permanent residents, must complete the New Zealand Traveler Declaration before arrival. This requirement applies regardless of visa or residency status.

If you realise that the submitted information is incorrect, use your reference number to access your declaration and correct it. After making changes, resubmit the declaration before reaching passport control.

If you forget to submit the declaration before boarding, you must complete it as soon as possible before arrival. A paper form is available upon arrival, but digital submission before travel is strongly recommended for faster processing.

Content Disclaimer: Information provided is current as of May 2025. Please consult official sources, including embassies and airlines, to confirm accuracy before you travel.