Can I bring Bush Meat to New Zealand?
Bush Meat→New Zealand
❌ Not Allowed
About Bush Meat
When bringing Bush Meat, ensure compliance with New Zealand Customs Service & MPI regulations. If you want to bring Bush Meat as a snack or souvenir, be mindful of agricultural bans at your destination. For biosecurity reasons, many countries prohibit untreated Bush Meat. Choosing commercially packaged products with ingredient lists is highly recommended. 💡 Tip: If unsure about a food item, "Declare it" to avoid fines. Customs won't fine you for declared items even if they confiscate them.
General Rules Apply
We don't have specific rules for Bush Meat yet. Below are the general rules for Meat Products that apply to Bush Meat.
✅ Declaration Requirements
✅Required
Form needed: Declare on the Passenger Arrival Card; MPI biosecurity inspection
📌 Quick Summary
🔗 Official Information Source:
Last Updated:August 28, 2026
Reliability:⭐⭐⭐⭐
📝 Important Notes
- •🚫 NOT ALLOWED — MPI biosecurity, no grey areas
- •New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) bars travellers from bringing in meat to protect an economy built on livestock:
- •Prohibited: all fresh, frozen, chilled, dried, smoked, cured or cooked meat and poultry; jerky, biltong, sausages, salami, ham, pork floss, meat-filled dumplings and pies, instant noodles with meat
- •Declare for inspection: commercially canned or retort-pouched shelf-stable meat may be released by an inspector if the origin is acceptable — never assume
- •Every food item must be ticked on the Passenger Arrival Card
- •Penalties: undeclared risk goods found by X-ray, dogs or bag search — NZ$400 instant fine; deliberate or repeat cases prosecuted, up to NZ$100,000 and 5 years.
- •Amnesty bins stand before the biosecurity area — dropping meat in them is free of any penalty.
- •Advice: Bring no meat. New Zealand lamb, venison and beef are what you came for.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Does Bush Meat need to be vacuum-sealed for entry?
Vacuum sealing can significantly reduce the risk of confiscation, especially for meat or dried products. Additionally, Bush Meat with complete commercial labeling and ingredient lists is more likely to pass inspection.
What should I consider when bringing Bush Meat?
The most important thing when bringing Bush Meat is to confirm if it exceeds the duty-free allowance or declaration threshold of your destination. It's recommended to keep purchase receipts and ensure Bush Meat is in its original packaging for easier customs inspection. If the Bush Meat is of high value, always use the red declaration channel.
❓ More Questions
Can I bring Australian beef jerky across to New Zealand?
No. Australia and New Zealand do not exempt each other's meat products for travellers — jerky from Australia is prohibited in New Zealand and vice versa. Declare it and it goes in the bin; undeclared, it is a NZ$400 fine.
Are pies or dumplings with meat filling allowed?
No — any food containing meat is a risk good. Homemade or bakery pies, bao, dumplings and mooncakes with meat are all prohibited and must be declared or binned. Fully commercially canned products are the only category an inspector may release.
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