What to Bring When Moving to New Zealand from the US (and What to Buy There)

The short answer: bring the things that are personal, hard to replace, or expensive to rebuy and that work on New Zealand power (clothes, kids' favourite things, documents, dual-voltage electronics, good kitchen knives, books). Leave behind or sell most plug-in American appliances, because NZ runs on 230V/50Hz with Type I plugs and US 110–120V gear isn't made for it. Anything you ship gets checked by Customs and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), so clean it, list it and declare it.

Here's how to think it through, category by category.

Start with the rules: Customs and MPI

Before you decide what to bring, it helps to know how it comes in.

Household effects concession

New Zealand Customs has a concession for used household items when you're moving to New Zealand for the first time and meet the criteria. Their page mentions things like holding a residence document, having lived outside NZ for 21 months, and the items being personally owned and used by you. New or unused items, and things like cars, are excluded. You'll fill in a form (NZCS 218) and provide a packing list, and a goods levy applies to unaccompanied shipments.

Criteria change and your situation matters, so check the official source: NZ Customs – household effects.

Biosecurity: why "clean" matters

MPI requires a detailed inventory for household goods, and inspection of sea containers is mandatory. That's why so many movers spend their last US weekend scrubbing.

Items that commonly need attention:

• Outdoor gear, hiking boots, bikes and camping equipment (soil is the big one)
• Garden tools and outdoor furniture
• Wooden items and anything made from plants or animal products
• Food of any kind

Check the official source before you pack: MPI – household goods and personal effects.

In your suitcase

NZ Customs asks travellers to declare food, plants and seeds, wooden items, animal products, and used shoes or outdoor equipment. Their advice is simple: "If in doubt, declare it!" MPI notes that you can be fined for undeclared risk items. A few specifics worth knowing from the Customs page:

• Prescription medicine: you can generally bring up to three months' supply, with your prescription.
• Pseudoephedrine (found in some US cold medicines) is a controlled drug in NZ. Don't pack it without checking.
• Some US CB radios are prohibited.

Check the official source: NZ Customs – what you can and can't bring.

US appliances, voltage and Type I plugs

This deserves its own section, because it changes your packing list more than anything else.

NZ power is 230V, 50Hz

WorkSafe New Zealand says the supply here is typically 230 volts at 50 Hz, and appliances must be marked 230V or include 230V in their rated range. WorkSafe also notes that products made for other countries may be dangerous if connected directly to NZ supply.

Why a step-down converter isn't the answer

It's tempting to think a transformer will let you keep your stand mixer or air fryer. WorkSafe's guidance on 110V equipment warns that using a transformer won't achieve the expected level of safety because it won't have a reliable earthing arrangement. For anything that heats, spins or runs for hours, we'd sell it in the US and buy a 230V version here.

The quick label check

Look at the small print on the charger or the device:

• "Input: 100–240V, 50/60Hz" → dual-voltage. You only need a plug adapter (or a new NZ cable).
• "120V, 60Hz" only → not made for NZ. Leave it, sell it, or donate it.

Dual-voltage items commonly include phone, laptop and tablet chargers and camera chargers, but always check your label rather than assuming.

Type I plugs

New Zealand uses the same angled, three-pin plug as Australia, often sold as "Type I." For your dual-voltage devices, a plug adapter is all you need. Note that an adapter changes the plug shape only; it does not convert voltage.

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

• Ceptics Type I travel adapter with USB-A and USB-C (plug adapter only, for dual-voltage devices)

A couple in your carry-on means you can charge phones the minute you land. Check Amazon for the current price.

Appliances: bring, sell or rebuy?

If you're in the middle of sorting the house, our free guide for American families moving to New Zealand is a good companion to this list: read Chapter 1 free.

What's worth bringing from the US

These are the categories movers most often say they're glad they brought. Use your own judgement about cost and space.

Clothes and shoes

Clothes are light and personal, and good basics can cost more to replace than to pack. Clean shoes thoroughly (especially hiking boots and sports cleats) and declare used outdoor footwear.

Kids' comfort items

Favourite books, a particular blanket, the stuffed animal they sleep with. These matter far more in the first weeks than any appliance.

Kitchen tools that don't plug in

Good knives, cast iron, measuring cups and spoons (handy if you bake from American recipes), and favourite baking pans. If you want to start baking the Kiwi way, the Edmonds Cookery Book is a classic place to start (shipping can be slow, so order early).

Documents

Birth and marriage certificates, school records, vaccination records, driving records, prescriptions and medical summaries. Keep originals in your carry-on.

Packing smart

Packing cubes make a big difference for the suitcase portion of a move, especially with kids: one cube per person per category, and you're not unpacking everything at the first hotel. We'd recommend starting with a few short Airbnb stays while you get to know different areas (more on why in our first winter guide), and that means living out of suitcases for a while.

• Thule Compression Packing Cube Set, a compression option that's good for bulky winter layers
• Shacke 5-Set Packing Cubes, a value set that's good for kids' clothes

What's usually better to buy in New Zealand

• Plug-in appliances (see above).
• Furniture, if shipping costs more than replacing. Get quotes before deciding.
• Garden tools and outdoor furniture, because of the biosecurity cleaning involved.
• Cleaning products, toiletries and anything liquid. These are heavy and easy to find locally.
• Food. Don't ship it. Declare anything in your luggage and expect some items to be refused.

A simple decision checklist

For each item, ask:

1. Does it plug in? If yes, does the label say 100–240V?
2. Is it personal or irreplaceable?
3. Would it cost more to ship than to rebuy?
4. Will it need serious cleaning for biosecurity (soil, plant matter, wood)?
5. Is it new and unused? (New items may not qualify for the household effects concession.)

FAQ

Can I use my US appliances in New Zealand?

Only if they're rated for 230V (look for "100–240V" on the label). NZ supply is typically 230V/50Hz, and WorkSafe warns that products made for other countries may be dangerous if connected directly.

Should I bring a voltage converter?

We wouldn't rely on one. WorkSafe's guidance warns that using a transformer with 110V equipment won't achieve the expected level of safety. Use plug adapters for dual-voltage devices and buy 230V appliances locally.

What plug does New Zealand use?

The angled three-pin plug shared with Australia, commonly sold as "Type I."

Do I pay duty on my household goods?

There's a concession for used household items if you're moving to NZ for the first time and meet the criteria. New or unused items are excluded. Check NZ Customs for your situation.

Can I bring my medication?

Customs generally allows up to three months' supply of prescription medicine with your prescription. Some medicines, including pseudoephedrine, are controlled. Check the official Customs page before you travel.