Good to know
- The NZTD collects your travel, customs, immigration and biosecurity information in one free form. Use the website or the official NZTD app.
- The earliest you can submit is 24 hours before you start your trip to New Zealand. For cruises, it is 24 hours before leaving the last foreign port.
- Your declaration is linked to your passport and checked at the eGate or by a border officer. You do not need to print it or show a QR code.
- The NZTD is separate from a visa or an NZeTA. Check Immigration New Zealand to see whether you need one, because an NZeTA is a different application that may carry its own fees.
- Answer honestly. Your declaration is a legal document, and failing to declare risk goods can lead to penalties.
How to submit
- Open the official site from the button on this page, not from a search ad.
- Keep your passport, flight details and accommodation address ready.
- Fill in the form during the allowed window.
- Save the confirmation or QR code as a screenshot, and print it if you can.
- Show the confirmation at check-in or immigration if you are asked.
Never pay to submit an arrival card
The official forms listed here are free. Sites that charge a fee to fill in the form for you are not the official portal. We never ask for your passport details and we never submit forms for you.
Common mistakes
- Paying a third-party site. The official form is free.
- Submitting outside the allowed window, which can cause the form to be rejected.
- Typing details that do not match your passport exactly.
- Assuming that no visa means no arrival card. They are separate.
Frequently asked questions
Is the New Zealand NZ Traveller Declaration free?
Yes, on the official site it is free. If a website asks you to pay, it is not the official portal.
When should I submit the NZ Traveller Declaration?
From 24 hours before you start your trip. Confirm the exact window on the official site, because it can change.
Do I need it if I do not need a visa?
An arrival card is a separate requirement from a visa, so not needing a visa does not by itself remove it. The rule for this country: Everyone travelling into New Zealand, including New Zealand passport holders. Babies and children need their own declaration.
Do New Zealand citizens need the NZTD?
Yes. Everyone travelling into New Zealand must complete a declaration, including New Zealand passport holders, babies and children.
Where this comes from
The rules on this page come from the official portal linked above and from government notices or news reports about it. We cannot always open every official site, so confirm timing and exemptions there before you travel. If you find an error, please write to us.