The standard terms and conditions of the products and services offered by New Zealand Post Limited, including information on the extent of our liability, are set out in the Public Contract and the Postal Users' Guide. They are also available for reference at PostShop stores and selected New Zealand Post retail outlets.

Delivery Targets

For the purposes of delivery targets, the day in which the item is accepted by us is day zero. If you post an item, or hand it over the counter in a New Zealand Post retail outlet after that day’s final clearance, or on Saturday or Sunday, day zero will be the next working day.

You can expect that items will usually arrive at their destination within the delivery target specified. Because New Zealand Post does not directly control all parts of the delivery chain, we cannot guarantee that your item will always reach its destination within the delivery target. Delivery to areas outside major cities, or where your item is dutiable or held in Customs, may take longer. For information on our delivery targets for international destinations, view our guide to World Zones.

Required postage

The required postage is the value of postage required for New Zealand Post to carry the item. Actual price paid may vary instore. The required postage and specifications are subject to change.

Cover for loss or damage, prohibited & restricted items

Before sending mail items, make sure your item is safe to send and will be covered if it goes missing or is damaged. Make sure you read about cover for loss or damage and prohibited & restricted items.

Sending to the United States of America and US territories

• There have been changes to the application of import duties and taxes when sending to the U.S., as implemented by the U.S. Government. These changes impact all sending from NZ from August 2025. The payment of the duties and taxes varies by service. 
• To enable contact and facilitate clearance, you must supply the contact information of both sender and receiver. 
• Letters and documents are not subject to taxes or duties, and may be sent by any NZ Post service, subject to completion of a consignment note. 
• Bona fide gifts under NZ$150 are able to be sent by one individual to another individual with no duty and tax, via any NZ Post service. These items must be genuine gifts in line with the standards set by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and declared as Gift on the consignment note.
• For all items for which duties and taxes are due, these must be sent by Express, and the receiver is required to pay the duty or taxes. If the receiver cannot be contacted within 3 days from the first attempt by our delivery partner to arrange payment, then the item will be either returned to sender at sender’s cost or destroyed, according to instructions on the consignment note.
• These conditions may change as the situation continues to evolve. Visit International delivery updates for up to date information. 
• Timelines for deliveries are guidelines only; we expect to see considerable delays with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection as they implement changes.