The following information is provided by Film New Zealand:

NEW ZEALAND CUSTOMS

Importing and Customs clearance

New Zealand has a full and extensive range of film equipment available for hire at very competitive prices - importing is not necessary.

For specialist equipment, motor vehicles and other non-consumable items, the following import options are available:

• An experienced freight forwarding company will have an arrangement in place with New Zealand Customs Service that is most effective and efficient. This allows for the temporary importing of non-consumable items without attracting Goods and Services Tax (GST), bonds or duty, providing these goods are returned to the country of export at the end of the production period. If preferred, a carnet can be used for the temporary import of all film equipment, motor vehicles and non-consumable items.
• Use a Temporary Entry Form when you arrive in New Zealand. The goods are assessed for duty and Goods and Services Tax (GST), and this is paid to New Zealand Customs (credit cards may be used). The money is refunded by New Zealand Customs when the goods leave the country. This option is generally suitable for smaller value items

Importing Motor Vehicles

• Motor vehicles for filming purposes only can enter under a temporary import or travel on a carnet.
• All vehicles must be steam-cleaned prior to being transported to New Zealand.
• Imported vehicles do not require permits from the Land Transport NZ (the body that registers motor vehicles in New Zealand) if they are being driven for filming purposes only and will be transported between locations on a vehicle haulage unit.
• If the vehicle is to be driven on New Zealand roads, a temporary registration from the Land Transport Safety Authority is required. For more information take a look at the Land Transport New Zealand Factsheet.

Importing Animal, Vegetable and Food Products

• As an island nation, New Zealand has been able to keep itself free of many plant and animal diseases that are common worldwide. The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) is responsible for protecting New Zealand borders from such threats. For this reason, there are restrictions on importing certain foods, agricultural products and animals.

Special permissions:

MAF has been most helpful in the past in assisting productions to bring in items that may not immediately appear to be eligible.

For more information see the Animals and the Screen Production Industry section of the Film New Zealand website - http://www.filmnz.com/production-guide/animals-and-the-screen-production-industry.html

FREIGHT

International Freight

New Zealand freight forwarding agents work in conjunction with international freight forwarding agents to ensure that freight can be sent to or from any location in the world

Film-specific internal and international freight:

Xtreme Forwarding NZ Ltd has provided services for such films as Columbia Tri-Star's Vertical Limit and New Line Cinema's The Lord of the Rings trilogy. They have assembled a complete freight and courier management package, from daily rushes to equipment freighting, and import and export management.

Internal Freight

Moving equipment around New Zealand is easy. There is an efficient courier service system capable of meeting all your film needs, including daily rushes, no matter where in the country you intend to film.

© Film New Zealand (www.filmnz.com)