Can I Bring Chinese Medicine Into New Zealand?

It depends on what the medicine contains. Processed tablets and capsules are usually allowed into New Zealand, but products containing animal parts, endangered (CITES) species, raw herbs, or seeds may be seized. Declare all traditional Chinese medicine on the NZ Traveller Declaration — undeclared risk items carry an instant NZ$400 fine.

Key restrictions

Processed tablets, capsules, and pills are usually allowed for personal use.

Products containing animal parts (deer, pangolin, tiger, seahorse, etc.) may be seized.

Anything containing CITES-listed endangered species is illegal to import.

Raw or dried herbs, roots, fungi, and seeds face plant biosecurity inspection.

Declare all traditional medicine — both biosecurity and customs rules apply.

Why this matters

Traditional Chinese medicine sits at the intersection of three different New Zealand border rules: biosecurity (plant and animal material), endangered species law (CITES), and medicine controls. A single pouch of remedies can contain processed tablets that clear in seconds, raw roots that need inspection, and an animal-derived ingredient that is illegal to import at all. That is why TCM cannot get a single yes-or-no answer — the contents decide.

Restrictions

Processed products — tablets, capsules, teas in sealed retail packaging, balms, and patches — are generally fine in personal-use quantities. Keep them in original packaging with a readable ingredient list.
Animal ingredients are the danger zone. Deer velvet, dried gecko, seahorse, antler, bone, and similar materials are animal products under biosecurity rules. If the species is CITES-listed — pangolin, tiger, musk deer, some orchids and agarwood — importing it is an offence, not just a confiscation.
Raw plant material — dried whole herbs, roots, bark, fungi, and especially anything containing seeds — is assessed as a plant biosecurity risk and may be seized.
Declare everything. Tick the declaration boxes for food, plant, and animal products. Officers see TCM daily; declared items that pass are handed straight back.

Undeclared risk items mean an instant NZ$400 fine, and concealing endangered species material can lead to prosecution.

What the official guidance says

MPI requires travellers to declare all plant and animal products, which covers most traditional medicines, and NZ Customs separately enforces CITES restrictions on endangered species ingredients. MPI's published position is that processed, commercially packaged products are lower risk, while raw and animal-derived material needs inspection. The biosecurity officer at the airport makes the final decision on every item, so declare, present the packaging, and let them assess it.

Frequently asked questions

Are herbal tablets and capsules allowed?

Usually, yes. Fully processed tablets and capsules in sealed retail packaging with an ingredient list are generally allowed in personal-use quantities. Declare them and keep the original packaging so officers can read what is inside.

What ingredients cause problems at the border?

Animal-derived ingredients are the biggest issue — deer velvet, dried seahorse, pangolin scales, and similar items can breach both biosecurity and endangered-species (CITES) law. Raw herbs, roots, and seeds are also checked as plant risks.

Do I need to declare medicine I take daily?

Yes. Anything plant- or animal-based must be declared as a biosecurity item, and medicines in general should be declared if asked. Declaring is free; an undeclared risk item is a NZ$400 instant fine.