Free import
• Travelers aged 18 or older: 4.5 L of beer or 2 L of other alcoholic drinks (wine, spirits or liqueur). You can mix drinks as long as you stay within this allowance.
• Travelers aged 21 or older: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 g of tobacco.
• Goods bought overseas worth up to NZD 750 in total are free of import VAT and duty. Goods above this value are charged VAT and duty.
• The allowances apply only to goods for your own use or as gifts that you carry with you. They do not cover commercial goods or goods carried for another person.
• Declare on the Passenger Arrival Card any alcohol or tobacco over the allowance, goods worth more than NZD 750, and prohibited or restricted goods. Undeclared goods may be seized and fined.
Currency
• There is no limit on the amount of New Zealand dollars or foreign currency you may bring in.
• You must declare cash and other currency worth NZD 10,000 or more (or the equivalent in foreign currency) on arrival. This includes bearer cheques, traveler's cheques and money orders, precious metals and stones, pearls and jewelry.
• Not declaring, or splitting money between members of a travel group to stay under the limit, is an offence punishable by a fine of up to NZD 20,000, up to 2 years in prison, or both.
Prohibited
• Fresh fruit and vegetables
• Home-killed meat and game meat
• Animal products from French Polynesia
• Controlled drugs, including cannabis, medicinal cannabis, methamphetamine, cocaine and MDMA, and medicines containing codeine or morphine, unless you hold an import licence from the Ministry of Health
• Fireworks, explosives, detonators and fuses
• Indecent, obscene or seditious publications, films and other articles
• Counterfeit coins and banknotes
• Goods made wholly or partly by prison labor, except a genuine gift made by a prisoner for a private person's own use
Restricted
• Firearms, air rifles, ammunition and offensive weapons (such as flick knives, knuckle-dusters, sword sticks and weapons disguised as other items) need a permit from the Cook Islands Police Service, obtained before the goods arrive.
• Prescription medicines for personal use are allowed in small quantities with a doctor's letter or a copy of the prescription. Declare all medication on your arrival card.
• All food must be declared, including meat, dairy products, eggs, honey and seeds for eating. Meat must come from animals slaughtered and inspected under government supervision in the country of origin. If you have dietary needs, contact Biosecurity Cook Islands before you travel.
• Animal skins, feathers and shells, dried or fresh flowers, straw and corn souvenirs, and items made of bamboo, cane, rattan, straw or wood must be declared. Some need treatment or an import permit.
• Used camping, hiking, sports, golf and fishing equipment and footwear must be clean and free of soil, and must be declared.
• Products of endangered species, such as turtle shell, clam shells and coral, need a CITES permit from the country of origin.
• Live animals need an import permit from the Director of Biosecurity, Ministry of Agriculture, and may land only in Rarotonga. Cats and dogs are accepted only from New Zealand and Australia and must travel as manifested air cargo.
• Dogs also need a permit from the Police, must be at least 4 months old and neutered or spayed, and must be registered with the Police on arrival. Doberman, Pit Bull Terrier, Bulldog and Rottweiler breeds may not be imported.