Importing Medicines

Classification of Medicines in New Zealand
Personal Importation - bring medicines into New Zealand
Adulterated Medicines
Frequently asked questions
General enquiry form
Complaint form
Travel Medicine

Medsafe regulates products that are used for a therapeutic purpose, to ensure the product’s safety, quality and effectiveness. This includes: medicines; related products; herbal remedies; medical devices; and controlled drugs used as medicines. Click here for more details; About us.

Classification of Medicines in New Zealand

Every country has a different classification system for medicines. A medicine may be over-the-counter in one country, but may be classified as a prescription medicine in New Zealand.

Use the following link to work out the classification of your medicine(s): Classification of Medicine Schedule

Note: When using the classification of medicine schedule, please be aware that:

The medicine name (the active ingredient) must be entered, do not enter the brand name
Medicines not available in New Zealand may not be included on the schedule

If you are unsure of the classification of your medicine, please submit the following form: General Enquiry form

Personal Importation
What is personal importation?

When an individual either:

Brings a medicine into New Zealand on their person (for instance passengers visiting New Zealand arriving at the airport), Click here for further information

Or
Arranges for a medicine to be sent to them from an overseas supplier. In most cases the medicine is sent through the post or via an international courier. Click here for further information

In both cases, the goods must be used by that individual or a member of his/her immediate family and must not be sold or supplied to any other person.

The maximum amount of prescription medicines you can import with a reasonable excuse is three months supply, with the exception of oral contraceptives where you are able to import six months supply.

Adulterated Medicines

Some medicines, particularly some Chinese herbal products, have been tested by Medsafe and found to contain undeclared prescription medicines. It is illegal to import a product adulterated with a prescription medicine, and if these are seized by Medsafe at the border they will be destroyed. The most common products that are adulterated are slimming products which contain Sibutramine, or products to help with sexual dysfunction which contain Sildenafil. Click here for further information

General Enquiry form

To lodge a complaint relating to the import, export, manufacture, advertising and supply of therapeutic products, Click here for further information