Restricted items
Before to travel make sure you know what you can and can’t bring on board. This guide covers dangerous goods, how to pack certain items safely, and what you may need to declare or get approval for before you fly.
Before you travel
Review local security rules
Airport security rules and restricted item requirements may vary by country. Always check local requirements before you travel.
Check for product recalls
Visit recalls.govt.nz or productsafety.gov.au to check if your device or product has been recalled due to faults. For everyone’s safety, devices that are faulty or subject to a product recall cannot be carried on board.
Pre-travel approval may be required
Some restricted items require approval before you travel. Please contact us before booking your flight to confirm whether your item can be carried and to understand any requirements.
Airport security rules by departure country
Airport security and dangerous goods requirements may vary depending on where your journey begins. Before you travel, check the rules for your departure airport and destination to make sure your items meet local security and screening requirements.
Dangerous Goods
Many common items, including batteries, aerosols, power banks, fuels, AirPods, and other portable electronic devices are classified as dangerous goods when carried on an aircraft. While many of these items can be brought on board, they must meet specific safety and carriage requirements.
Some dangerous goods are prohibited and cannot be carried under any circumstances. If prohibited items are identified during screening or baggage checks, they will be confiscated.
Dangerous goods approval and declaration requirements
Some dangerous goods items can only be carried on an Air New Zealand flight if they meet specific requirements. To travel with these items, you'll need to follow the applicable carriage requirements and present the item to an Air New Zealand representative at check-in for inspection.
How to obtain approval
- Check the requirements: Review the carriage requirements for your item in the Dangerous Goods guide.
- Declare the item at check-in: Tell an Air New Zealand representative that you are travelling with the item. Self-service kiosks cannot process dangerous goods approvals.
- Present the item for inspection: The item must be physically inspected to confirm it meets all applicable carriage requirements.
You will not receive an approval number or separate confirmation that your item has been approved for travel. Approval is confirmed when an Air New Zealand representative has inspected the item at check-in and verified that all carriage requirements have been met.
Dangerous goods requiring approval before travel
Some items need approval before you travel. Please contact us before booking to confirm whether your item can be carried and what requirements apply.
Dangerous goods to declare at check-in
Some items must be declared to check-in staff at the airport, even if they have already been approved.
Let check-in staff know if you’re travelling with:
Prohibited items
Flammable | |
|---|---|
| Matches (More than one box of safety matches) | |
| Lighter fluid/fuel, lighter refills | |
| Fire starters, flares | |
| Solid fuel tablets | |
| Petrol, oil-based paint, paint thinners, varnish, solvents | |
Hazardous | |
| Fertiliser, weed killer, insecticide | |
| Bleaches, peroxide, acid | |
| Disabling sprays, electric shock weapons | |
| Pepper spray | |
Fireworks and pyrotechnics | |
| Fireworks | |
| Party poppers | |
| Commercial Christmas crackers | |
| Cracker snaps / homemade bonbons | |
Non-toiletry flammable aerosols | |
| Fly spray, spray paint, lubricants | |
Lithium batteries restrictions | |
| Batteries exceeding 160Wh or 8g lithium content | |
Special Chemical | |
| Permeation devices | |
Electronics | |
| Samsung Note 7 | |
Weapons and replicas | |
| Firearms | |
| Imitation weapons | |
Oxygen Systems | |
| Liquid oxygen | |
| Medical oxygen exceeding a 'C' size cylinder | |
Food | |
| Durian | |
| The following items are prohibited onboard |
|---|
Flammable |
Matches (More than one box of safety matches)
|
Lighter fluid/fuel, lighter refills
|
Fire starters, flares
|
Solid fuel tablets
|
Petrol, oil-based paint, paint thinners, varnish, solvents
|
Hazardous |
Fertiliser, weed killer, insecticide
|
Bleaches, peroxide, acid
|
Disabling sprays, electric shock weapons
|
Pepper spray
|
Fireworks and pyrotechnics |
Fireworks |
Party poppers |
Commercial Christmas crackers |
Cracker snaps / homemade bonbons |
Non-toiletry flammable aerosols |
Fly spray, spray paint, lubricants
|
Lithium batteries restrictions |
Batteries exceeding 160Wh or 8g lithium content
|
Special Chemical |
Permeation devices |
Electronics |
Samsung Note 7
|
Weapons and replicas |
Firearms |
Imitation weapons |
Oxygen Systems |
Liquid oxygen |
Medical oxygen exceeding a 'C' size cylinder |
Food |
Durian |
Restricted Items
Find out what you can and can’t bring on board, including restricted items. Learn how to pack items safely and what requirements apply.
For detailed security screening rules and restricted item guidance, visit the Aviation Security Service website.
Check what you can bring and how to pack it
Travelling with firearms and/or ammunition
Key infomation
- Make sure you meet all carriage requirements.
- Let us know before your flight if you’re travelling with a firearm.
- Pack your firearm and ammunition according to the carriage requirements.
- Declare your firearm(s) and/or ammunition at check-in. At the self-service kiosk you must, select “Yes” when asked whether you are carrying any dangerous goods and an Air NZ representatives will assist you.
Requirements
To carry a firearm and/or ammunition, you must hold either:
- A current Firearms*/Visitor Firearms Licence or
- An Enforcement Agency ID
- A valid Import/Export Permit if taking a firearm into or out of NZ
We will not accept copies or digital/data references* of these documents.
*If the New Zealand licence is not current, Air New Zealand will accept the 'validated' statement on the New Zealand Firearms Safety Authority's Firearms Licence Checker.
Important: If you’re travelling to, from, or through another country, check with local authorities to make sure they accept your expired New Zealand firearms licence and/or validation confirmation from the Firearms Licence Checker.
Failure to declare firearms and/or ammunition is an offence and may result in significant penalties. We are also required to notify the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority and, in some cases, the New Zealand Police.
Firearms requirements
Firearms are not accepted for travel into or out of the Sunshine Coast (Maroochydore)
What firearms can I carry?
Firearms include replicas and decommissioned weapons
Firearms licence required
You must present a valid firearms licence when travelling with:
- Sporting firearms
- Decommissioned firearms
- Imitation firearms
Photo ID required (firearms licence not required)
You must present valid photo identification, such as a driver licence, when travelling with:
- Air rifles, air pistols and BB guns
- Soft air pellet guns and paintball guns
How do I pack my firearm for my flight?
You must ensure your firearms is:
- Packed in a locked, hard case to prevent unauthorised access
- Unloaded and any fitted magazines emptied
- Rendered inoperable e.g. bolt removed, trigger guard(s)/trigger lock(s) fitted etc
- Not packed with any ammunition
- Not packed with the bolt (if applicable)
- Declared to an Air NZ representatives when you check-in
Carry-on: No
Checked-in: Yes
Your firearm case counts as one checked-in bag and can weigh up to 23kg. You may pack more than one firearm in the same case. If needed, you can purchase a Prepaid Extra Bag.
If you're travelling with multiple firearms in separate cases, they must not be taped/strapped/bound together.
Ammunition must be packed separately and must not be carried in the same case as a firearm.
You can pack the bolt in a separate checked-in bag, or in the same checked-in bag as your ammunition. It must not be packed inside your firearm case.
Travel companions cannot carry firearms on your behalf using their baggage allowance. Only the licensed individual is permitted to carry firearms.
What do I do at check in?
You must check-in with one of our Air NZ representatives.
If you're using the self-help check-in kiosk, tick ‘yes’ when you're asked if you're carrying a dangerous good then see an Air NZ representative.
You must declare your firearm(s) during check-in. You will then be asked to confirm you have complied with the following carriage requirements:
- Show a current Firearms licence or Visitor Firearms licence or Enforcement Agency ID e.g. Police badge etc.
- The firearm is not loaded and inoperable i.e. i.e. bolt removed (not packed with the firearm in the same bag) or trigger guards/locks fitted etc.
- The firearm is packed in a locked hard-sided case with a minimum of 1 lock
- No other items are packed in the case such as clothing, other personal items etc., and the case is not packed inside another checked bag
More than one firearm can be packed in a single case.
Our Air NZ representative will advise that before your firearm can be returned to you at your destination, you must present:
Domestic Airport
- Firearms licence or Visitor Firearms licence or Enforcement Agency ID or Personal ID (if applicable) and
- Import permit (if applicable)
The name on the items bag tag will be checked against the above.
International airports border authorities may have other requirements as well. Check before you travel for any specific arrival procedures.
Ammunition requirements
You must have a current firearms license to carry ammunition in checked baggage.
What ammunition can I carry?
- Cartridges with an inert projectile
- Cartridges, small arms, blank
Blackpowder, percussion caps and primers (unless contained in the ammunition) are forbidden.
How do I pack ammunition for my flight?
You must ensure your ammunition:
- Is in a container that separates each round (securely packed) e.g. not touching each other
- Does not weight more than 5kg, this includes the weight of the container
- Is in your checked bags
- Is not packed in the same case as your firearm
- Is declared to an Air NZ representative when you check-in
You are approved to carry ammunition provided you have complied with the above carriage requirements
Carry-on: No
Checked-in: Yes
You can pack your ammunition into your main checked in bag provided it is securely packed. Ammunition cannot be packed into the same bag as your firearm.
Travel companions cannot carry ammunition on your behalf using their baggage allowance. Only the licensed firearms holders are individual is permitted to carry firearms.
Ammunition restrictions and conditions
- Empty shell casings are allowed if they are clean and contain no explosive primer
- Ammunition may be carried in a firearm magazine, provided it is securely contained and protected
- Ammunition must be securely packed. Loose ammunition (e.g. in a container or bag) is not permitted
- Explosive charges for nail guns are not permitted
What do I do at check in?
You must check-in with one of our Air NZ representatives.
If you're using the self-help check-in kiosk, tick ‘Yes’ when you're asked if you're carrying a dangerous good. An Air New Zealand representative will then assist you.
You must declare ammunition during check-in. You will then be asked to confirm you have complied with the following carriage requirements:
- Show a current Firearms licence or Visitor Firearms licence or Enforcement Agency ID e.g. Police badge etc.
- Ammunition is securely packed, individually separated in a container and for your own use (allowances can’t be combined)
- You have no more than 5kg gross (includes the box/container weight)
- Ammunition and firearms are not in the same bag
No verification check is required on arrival at your destination.
Other countries may have further restrictions. It is your responsibility to check.
International travel & transfers
Travelling internationally
When travelling internationally or on a different airline, check their firearms and ammunition requirements. They may have different requirements, and failure to comply could incur severe penalties.
Carrying firearms or ammunition across borders requires careful planning:
- You may need special permits, such as import or export permits
- Check the requirements and restrictions for every country you’re travelling to or through
- Carry all relevant permits and documents, and be ready to present them if requested
Connecting to another airline's aircraft:
We cannot transfer bags containing firearms or ammunition to another airline, including code share partners.
If your journey includes another airline:
- Allow extra time to clear customs, collect your bags, and re-check them with the next airline
- You must declare your firearm and ammunition to the new airline
All flights must be booked under the operating airline’s flight number.
For example, a flight operated by United Airlines must be booked with a UA flight number (e.g. UA923), not an Air New Zealand codeshare number (e.g.NZ9834).
Travelling internationally with a domestic transfer
If your journey includes a domestic flight before an international flight, we cannot check your firearm case all the way through to your final destination.
You will need to:
- Collect it at your domestic arrival airport
- Re-check it at the international terminal for your next flight (you will need to see an Air NZ representative)