Arrival Information

Integrated Marine Group have assisted many visiting Yachts and Superyachts over the years. By following the advice on these pages you can make a potentially lengthy arrival process take a mere half an hour! We are happy to assist with these procedures and can send the relevant forms, whether you require hard copies prior to leaving your last port of call, or emailed whilst en route.

 

Customs

An Advanced Notification of Arrival must be submitted to customs as least 48 hours prior to the vessels arrival in New Zealand territorial waters (12 nautical miles off the coast). In general it is best to give Customs as much notice as possible. With this form simply complete the top section and attach a crew list.

 

You will also need to complete an Inward Report. This should again be submitted to customs at least 48 hours prior to arrival. Integrated Marine Group are happy to provide the forms and lodge your arrival documents.

Paperwork

Ports of Entry in New Zealand

There are a variety of ports where you can 'clear in'. These include:

North Island - Auckland, Gisborne, Napier, New Plymouth, Opua, Tauranga, Wellington, Whangarei

South Island - Bluff, Dunedin, Fiordland - Milford Sound, Lyttelton, Nelson, Picton, Port Chalmers, Timaru
The most popular Ports of Entry tend to be Auckand and Opua in the Bay of Islands.

 

Firearms

Please note that the importation of firearms is strictly controlled in New Zealand. All firearms must be declared to the Customs Officer on arrival in New Zealand. They will be detained and placed in safe keeping by the Police who will hold them until your departure.

 

Harbour Control

When you are in New Zealand waters contact the relevant Harbour Authority via the VHF. If you are clearing into Auckland, for example, you should contact Auckland Harbour Control on VHF Ch 16/12. You will be advised on the procedure for entering the harbour; boats over 40M in length may require a pilot. You will be directed to the appropriate berth, where Customs, Immigration and MAF (Ministry for Agriculture and Fisheries) will visit you for inspection.

Immigration

Each member of the crew will be required to complete a New Zealand Passenger Arrival Card (again these can be despatched to you in your last port of call). Visitors visas will then be issued to the crew by the Immigration Officer attending your vessel. Some nationalities may require visas; please check with Integrated Marine Group prior to your arrival.

Passport
Passenger Card

Quarantine

New Zealand is known as one of the more dificult countries to get certain food items into the country.  By following the advice below you can make your MAF inspection pain free!

  • Once inside New Zealand ensure all rubbish is contained in closed, leak-proof containers or sealed in strong plastic bags. The MAF Inspector will direct the disposal of all rubbish on your arrival.

  • You will not be allowed to take any stores (including food) or plants from the vessel without written approval by the inspector. If you are uncertain about anything, declare it!

  • The more prepared you are on arrival the easier the process is. Go through your stores thoroughly prior to arrival. One tip is to ask all of your crew to leave any souvenirs bought in the islands etc out on bunks ready for inspection.

The following items are prohibited:

  • Avian meat (chicken, turkey) and eggs

  • Fresh fruit, vegetables and fungi

  • Honey, pollen, propolis, honeycombs and other bee products

  • All live animals, pets, birds, bird’s eggs, fish and insects

  • Live plants, plant cuttings, bulbs, corms, rhizomes and tubers

  • Fresh cut flowers and foliage

  • Lei, and lei materials

  • Straw packaging

  • Coral, ivory, snakeskin, crocodile products or whale bone including ornaments, jewellery, souvenirs and handicrafts

  • Clam, turtle and tortoise shells

Items that need to be declared:

  • Any meat, fish and shellfish. You are allowed 20kg of meat per person but it must be packed, with a stamp, and come from a recognized abattoir with supporting documentation

  • Egg products

  • Any milk, milk powder, butter, cheese and milk based baby foods

  • Dried fruit and vegetables

  • Noodles and rice

  • Nuts, seeds, unpopped popcorn, herbs and spices

  • All seeds for planting including those commercially packaged

  • Dried mushrooms and fungi

  • All plant material and items made from plants

  • Herbal remedies, health supplements and homeopathic remedies that include animal or plant products

  • Dried flower arrangements

  • Items stuffed with seeds or straw

  • Items made of bamboo, cane, coconut or straw

  • All wooden items, drums, carvings, spears and masks

  • All items made of hair, fur, unprocessed wool, skin, feathers and bone

  • Any hunting trophies or stuffed animals

  • Clothing and footwear used around animals, animal equipment, grooming and

  • veterinary equipment, saddles, bridles and birdcages

  • All outdoor, camping, sports equipment, hiking boots and other sporting footwear which could be contaminated with soil, seeds or water

For more information about entry procedures when arriving in New Zealand please contact Rachel Harrison via rachel@integratedmarinegroup.com or call +64 9 377 2142