【Auckland Entry Full Guide】Step-by-Step Instructions for Stress-Free Immigration & Travel Tips!
📍Preparation Before Departure
1️⃣ **Visa & Documents**
✅ Ensure your passport is valid for at least 3 months from the departure date, and print out the e-visa in advance as a backup.
✅ Important documents to carry: flight itinerary, accommodation booking, and electronic copies saved on your phone.
✅ Activate international roaming, rent a portable WiFi, or buy a data card in advance (I opted for the third option). Also, save the consulate’s phone number: 09-5251200 (Auckland).
2️⃣ **Luggage Pitfall Guide**
🚫 Prohibited items: fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, eggs, seeds, and traditional Chinese medicine (such as musk and ephedrine drugs). Avoid bringing Contac!
💊 Medicines: Prescription medicines should be accompanied by an English instruction manual and a doctor’s certificate. A small amount of non-prescription medicines for personal use can be declared.
🔌 Electrical appliances: Just bring a power strip with a three-prong plug; no adapter is needed!
3️⃣ **Cash & Cards**
💰 Carry no more than NZD 10,000 in cash (any excess must be declared). It’s recommended to have VISA/MASTER cards, as UnionPay is accepted by some merchants.
🛫 **Key Points for Filling Out Cards on Board**
✍️ **Filling Out the Arrival Card** (all in capital letters! The flight attendant will distribute them, so bring a pen to fill it out in advance)
– Name, passport number, and flight number: Ensure they match your ID.
– Check the declaration items ❗️ Any food (including tea and dried fruit), outdoor equipment (hiking shoes, tents), and medicines must be declared as “Yes.
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– Tobacco: ≤ 50 pieces, alcohol: ≤ 4.5L. Excess amounts must be declared.
⚠️ If you’re unsure, declare everything! Fines start at NZD 400!
🌏 **Landing and Customs Clearance Process**
1️⃣ **eGate Self-Service** (the fastest option, taking only 5 minutes! However, if you want an entry stamp as a souvenir, you must go through the manual channel. There is no stamp when exiting.)
– Eligible: Holders of new electronic passports and those over 12 years old. Those under 12 queue on the right for manual exit.
– Steps: Scan your passport → Facial recognition → Done!
2️⃣ **Manual Channel**
– Possible questions: purpose of travel, duration of stay, and accommodation address. Ensure your answers are consistent with your visa! (The staff did not ask me any questions.)
🧳 **Luggage & Quarantine**
1️⃣ After collecting your luggage, proceed through the **red channel (for declarations) or green channel (no declarations)**. Sniffer dogs may randomly check. (I was originally queuing for the red channel but due to the crowd, the staff directed me to the green channel. In the end, they will still ask, so it doesn’t matter if you queue incorrectly—just choose the shorter line.
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2️⃣ Baggage inspection: Pack food and medicines separately and show English instructions! MPI staff may communicate in Chinese.
3️⃣ Handling violations: Disposal bins are available throughout the airport, allowing you to “save” at the last moment.
📌 Attachment: Bilingual template of the arrival card (see Figure 2)
📌 Personal checklist for easy customs clearance (see Figure 3)
