Arriving in New Zealand: how to complete the NZ Traveller Declaration, use eGates and declare food at biosecurity

New Zealand arrival for Thai travellers comes down to three things: complete the NZ Traveller Declaration (NZTD) before passport control, use an eGate with your Thai ePassport, and declare all food at biosecurity. The NZTD is free, done in the app or on the official website, and one form covers customs, immigration and biosecurity.

What do you need to fill in for New Zealand arrival?

You complete the NZTD, which replaces the old paper arrival card. New Zealand Customs Service says every traveller, including babies and children, needs their own NZTD; a parent can fill it in for a child. The form asks about your trip, visa status, goods you carry and biosecurity questions in one go.

How do you complete the NZTD online?

It takes a few minutes in the app or on the official site if you have your details ready. A sensible order looks like this.

1. 1Gather your detailsHave your passport, flight number, first-night address in New Zealand and a list of what is in your bags.
2. 2Submit within 24 hours of departureThe system accepts submissions from 24 hours before your journey begins; doing it at home or at Suvarnabhumi with a connection is easiest.
3. 3Answer in EnglishAll answers must be in English. If you are unsure on a food or goods question, answer Yes.
4. 4Keep the confirmationSave the confirmation screen or email on your phone in case an officer or the airline asks.

Many Thais look for a Thai-language arrival card. New Zealand Customs Service has translated sample cards on its website, but they are for reference only and cannot be handed in; your answers must still be in English.

Can Thai passport holders use New Zealand eGates?

Yes. New Zealand Customs Service added Thailand to the eGate list on 13 October 2025, in a batch of 11 countries and territories that brought the total to 59. eGates operate at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Queenstown airports for both arrivals and departures.

• You need an ePassport with the chip symbol on the cover.
• Users must be aged 10 or over; younger children go to the staffed counter with a parent.
• Your NZTD must already be completed.
• If the eGate rejects you, go to an officer's counter as usual.

What food and items must you declare in New Zealand?

The rule is simple: declare it or bin it. New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) requires you to declare all biosecurity risk goods, even items that may be allowed in. Declaring is not an offence, but failing to declare can bring an instant fine. You must declare:

• All food: fresh, dried, cooked and packaged, such as chilli paste, dried pork snacks, dried sweets and fruit.
• Plants, seeds, flowers and wooden items.
• Animal products, including traditional and herbal medicines with animal or plant ingredients.
• Used shoes and used sports, camping or outdoor gear.

If you are unsure, declare it, or drop it in the amnesty bins placed before the biosecurity lanes. MPI officers may inspect your bags, and if an item needs treatment, the traveller pays for it. For cash, if you carry New Zealand dollars or the foreign-currency equivalent at or above the Customs threshold, you must file a Border Cash Report when arriving or leaving, using paper form NZCS 337 or the online form up to 72 hours ahead. Failing to declare is a criminal offence; check the current threshold on the Customs website.

What happens when you land in New Zealand?

New Zealand Customs Service describes arrival in three stages: passport control or an eGate, baggage claim, then the biosecurity and customs lanes. In the last stage you may meet a detector dog, X-ray or imaging of your bags, or a drug swab. Amnesty bins are placed before these lanes. Officers often ask about the purpose of your trip, how long you will stay and where, so keep your hotel booking and onward ticket open on your phone.

How does mobile data help at New Zealand arrival?

The NZTD opens 24 hours before departure, so if you forget it or need to fix an answer during a connection, data at the transit airport lets you finish before passport control. After landing you still need data to open your visa email and bookings, call a ride or check the airport bus route. Installing an eSIM before leaving Thailand and switching it on after landing means no hunt for a SIM or Wi-Fi at baggage claim.

For plugs and payments, see “Power plugs by country: which travel adapter do you actually need?” and “Using a Credit Card in the USA, Australia and New Zealand: What to Know”.

See New Zealand eSIM options