Visa and Customs

All vessels entering New Zealand through Marsden Cove must provide 48 hours’ notice before arriving. Once inside New Zealand waters (12 nautical miles from the coast), contact Maritime NZ Radio on 4125 kHz, 6215 kHz, or VHF Channel 16 to notify border agencies of your ETA and intended port of entry.

All travellers arriving by recreational vessel must complete a New Zealand Traveller Declaration. The earliest you can submit is 24 hours before departing your last foreign port. The latest is by the time the vessel has berthed at its first port in New Zealand.

It’s free, and everyone must complete a declaration, including New Zealand passport holders.

A declaration is needed for each traveler, including babies and children.

If you’ve completed a digital declaration, you don’t need a paper form.

Visit travellerdeclaration.govt.nz for more information

Before arriving, dispose of all contraband food at least 12 nautical miles offshore. New Zealand is very strict and will confiscate meat, fruit, vegetables, honey, and other prohibited items.

Once inside New Zealand waters, ensure all rubbish is contained in sealed containers or plastic bags. A biosecurity inspector will direct the disposal of all your rubbish on arrival.

Contact Marsden Cove Marina on VHF Channel 18 to advise of your arrival. You must dock at the designated Q-Dock at the end of C-Pier. The outside berth is 26 metres in length, with inside berths of 12m and 14m.

NO ONE is allowed off the vessel or out of the customs-controlled area until you have been cleared by Customs and MPI. NO ONE is allowed onto your vessel while it is awaiting customs clearance. New Zealand Customs and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) will meet your vessel at the Q-Dock. MPI works in tandem with NZ Customs to clear all arriving vessels.

If you arrive with a dirty hull and are considered a biosecurity risk to the New Zealand marine environment, you will be instructed by MPI to haul your vessel at your cost as soon as possible for a biosecurity hull clean.

Some foods, outdoor equipment, and animal and plant products cannot be brought into New Zealand. They can carry harmful pests and diseases.

Risk items that are either restricted or prohibited may include:
– Foodstuffs including meat, fruit, vegetables, eggs, dairy products, honey, and stored products
– Rubbish – particularly food waste
– Plants – live plants and some plant products
– CITES items (endangered species), e.g., clam and conch shells, coral, turtle shells, and ivory
– Live animals (some exemptions may be granted with prior application to MPI)
-Hitchhiking pests – any contamination with termites, ants, moth egg masses, spiders

Check What You Can Bring. Visit mpi.govt.nz/CanIBringit before you travel

Once inside New Zealand waters, ensure all rubbish is contained in sealed containers or plastic bags. A biosecurity inspector will direct the disposal of all your rubbish on arrival.

Travellers must complete arrival documentation before and upon arrival. Forms must be completed in full with specified supporting documentation. Find forms and information at customs.govt.nz/yachts.

Each person aboard must have:
– A valid passport
– A visa (if required) – travellers other than New Zealanders and Australians require a current visa or NZeTA. Visit immigration.govt.nz
– Evidence of funds of NZ$400 per month if living onboard
– An outward ticket (or evidence of sufficient funds to buy one) if departing by commercial transport

Upon clearance, Customs will issue offshore vessels with a yellow TIE form. Keep a copy of this with you, as many local businesses will honour the GST (Goods & Services Tax) exemption for boat-related purchases.

Once you have cleared through Customs and MPI, contact the friendly staff at the marina office on VHF Channel 18, and they will direct you to your berth.