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New Zealand has one of the strictest biosecurity screening processes in the world, but that doesn't mean it's impossible to bring food products into the country.
Whether you're carrying food products through airports or ordering them online, the importation of some food items is allowed provided certain conditions are met.
If in doubt, New Zealand Customs advises people to declare the items, which will invariably prompt questions from officials upon inspection.
As a result, anyone bringing food into the country through an airport is likely to take longer to clear customs but it's certainly better than being handed a hefty fine.
What follows is a primer on everything you need to know when bringing food into New Zealand.
What food products can be brought into New Zealand through airports?
Pork products are prohibited from entering the country full stop, including salami, dried ham, Iberian Jamon, pork sausages, paté and pepperoni.
Other meat products are generally allowed if they are declared and inspected upon arrival, clean and free of biosecurity contamination, commercially manufactured and packaged, and presented to officials in their original unopened packaging.
Certain weight limits apply, depending on the meat product that is being imported and the country of origin.
Seafood is also allowed to be brought into New Zealand, but the product species must be declared upon arrival, identifiable and dead.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) does not have any packaging requirements to bring in seafood products, but importers should contact airlines to determine if they have any special rules.
Certain weight limits also apply to seafood goods.
Eggs and dairy products such as butter and cheese are also allowed provided they are declared and inspected upon arrival, commercially manufactured and packaged, and in their original unopened packaging.
Again, certain weight limits apply.
Pet food can also be brought into the country provided it is declared and inspected upon arrival, commercially manufactured and packaged, in its original unopened packaging and not require refrigeration.
Again, certain weight limits apply.
See here for more details on individual food categories.
What about online food orders?
Rules for food imported via online shopping are the same as those for food carried into the country in person, but personal declaration procedures can typically be more complicated.
The items must meet both Customs and MPI requirements and display a customs declaration form.
If the total value of the goods is below $1000, no import duty is payable.
After arriving in New Zealand, the items will be handed to local freight companies (postal or courier) for delivery.
Individuals can often check a parcel's status but they will need to contact carriers directly.
Many local logistics companies can also handle deliveries, but each company has slightly different rules.
Use this tool to check whether your purchased online items fall into a restricted category.
If in doubt, contact Customs for clarification.
Forgetfulness not an excuse
Some believe that food enclosed in commercial packaging doesn't need to be declared upon arrival in New Zealand.
All food products need to be declared and inspected upon arrival, and forgetfulness or bringing items into the country by accident are not regarded as valid excuses.
At best, failure to declare food items could result in a $400 instant fine for making a false declaration.
At worst, individuals convicted of deliberate smuggling could be fined up to $100,000 and sentenced to up to five years in prison.
What's more, it's best to avoid mailing high-risk food items to reduce the risk of confiscation, destruction or additional costs.
Finally, food products can only be imported as per the above provisions for personal use.
Individuals who are importing food products for commercial purposes must register with MPI as an importer - a completely different process.
