--- title: Moving from Reno to New Zealand: Household Effects url: https://obriensmoving-storage.com/international-moving/new-zealand/ business: O'Brien's Moving & Storage address: 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 phone: 775-359-6683 (toll-free 1-800-253-7814) hours: Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm licenses: U.S. DOT No. 30611, MC-109375, Nevada CPCN 1070; interstate agent for Bekins Van Lines since 1955 type: Moving and storage company, family owned since 1941 --- - [Home](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/) - [International moving through partner carriers](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/international-moving/) - Moving from Reno to New Zealand # Moving from Reno to New Zealand New Zealand Customs concession for household effects requires that you have lived outside the country for the full 21 months before arrival and that you personally owned and used the items before you left. You file form NZCS 218 with a packing list, and customs will not start clearance until it has every document. or call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 [U.S. DOT No. 30611](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/about/licenses-and-authority/) New Zealand gives a concession on used household items for people moving there for the first time or returning after a long absence. The New Zealand Customs Service publishes the criteria, the form and the depreciation scale that applies if the concession is not available. O'Brien's Moving & Storage arranges overseas moves through Bekins and partner international carriers; the customs details below come from the NZ Customs pages. ## Who is eligible You must be moving to New Zealand for the first time, or returning after being away 21 months or more, and you must hold a document authorizing residence. The list includes a New Zealand or Australian passport, a current residence or returning resident visa, a current Australian permanent residence visa, and certain work visas valid for at least 12 months. Student visa holders are not covered, though items needed for study may be brought. ## The 21-month and ownership tests You must have lived or been domiciled outside New Zealand for the full 21 months before arrival, with brief holidays or business trips to New Zealand excepted. The effects must be personally owned and used by you before you left for New Zealand, and they must be for your own use, not for someone else, a gift or an exchange. ## What the concession does not cover A goods levy applies to each unaccompanied consignment, based on its value and mode of transport. Goods imported more than five years after your arrival may be admitted only with a Customs officer's consent. - New or unused items, which must be declared and attract duty and GST. - Cars, scooters, motorbikes, boats and aircraft. - Commercial items. ## Documents before clearance starts Customs lists form NZCS 218, a copy of your passport, a residence document if you hold neither a New Zealand nor an Australian passport, a packing list of all effects, a shipping document, permits for any restricted items, the MPI Supplementary Biosecurity Declaration and receipts for new items. Customs will not begin clearance until it has received all documents. ## If the concession does not apply Customs applies depreciation to used goods owned for shorter periods: 10 percent for up to 3 months, 20 percent for 3 to 6 months, 33 percent for 6 to 12 months and 50 percent for 12 to 21 months. The scale shows why an exact record of when each major piece was acquired is worth keeping. ## What O'Brien's contributes The packing list is the document that ties the others together. O'Brien's prepares an itemized inventory and condition report before packing, and an itemized written estimate. A free in-home estimate includes 10 free heavy-duty boxes. Call 775-359-6683 or see [international moving](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/international-moving/). ### Sources (checked October 18, 2026) - [New Zealand Customs Service, Household effects](https://www.customs.govt.nz/travel-to-and-from-new-zealand/move-to-new-zealand-permanently/household-effects) - [New Zealand Customs Service, Move to New Zealand permanently](https://www.customs.govt.nz/travel-to-and-from-new-zealand/move-to-new-zealand-permanently) ### Free in-home estimate - An O'Brien's estimator walks through your home - A written, itemized estimate - 10 free heavy-duty boxes, yours to keep [How our estimates work](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/how-our-estimates-work/) ### Visit or call the office 2277 Glendale Ave, Sparks, NV 89431 [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) | Monday to Friday | 8:00 am to 5:00 pm | | --- | --- | | Saturday and Sunday | Closed | [Get my free estimate](#estimate) ### Related - [International moving through partner carriers](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/international-moving/) - [Moving overseas: how international household moves work](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/guides/moving-overseas/) - [FAQ: International moves](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/faq/international/) - [Free in-home moving estimate (plus 10 free heavy-duty boxes)](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/free-estimate/) International moves ## Read next - [Moving from Reno to India](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/international-moving/india/) - [Moving from Reno to Canada](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/international-moving/canada/) - [Moving from Reno to Mexico](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/international-moving/mexico/) - [Moving from Reno to United Kingdom](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/international-moving/united-kingdom/) - [Moving from Reno to Germany](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/international-moving/germany/) - [Moving from Reno to Japan](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/international-moving/japan/) - [Moving from Reno to South Korea](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/international-moving/south-korea/) - [Moving from Reno to Philippines](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/international-moving/philippines/) Answers ## Questions people ask Still have a question? Call [775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683), Mon-Fri 8-5, or see the [moving FAQ](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/faq/). ### Do brand-new items qualify? No. Customs says new or unused items must be declared and attract duty and GST. ### Can I bring a car under the concession? No. Cars, scooters, motorbikes, boats and aircraft are outside the household effects concession. ### Who completes the biosecurity declaration? The mover lists the MPI Supplementary Biosecurity Declaration among the documents customs expects with form NZCS 218. ## 4.3 stars from 71 Google reviews What customers say about O'Brien's [Read more reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/)[See them on Google](https://maps.google.com/maps?cid=17335326057105140938) D Debbie G. October 17, 2025 Both movers were courteous, efficient and very carful with my furniture. Also, talking with Janet over the phone was a pleasure. L Laurie I. September 28, 2025 The two employees showed up on time and were very polite and ready to work. Our quote was 8 hours and they finished in 5 hours. Office staff checked in prior to move and confirmed all details and check in after move to make sure everything was taken care of. Would use this company again for sure! ### Owner's reply Laurie, Thank you for the awesome review! We are glad to hear everything went smoothly, and you were satisfied with the service. We want to also thank you for your business we appreciate you! E Edward G. September 14, 2025 James and the crew were terrific. ## Get your free, in-home moving estimate An estimator visits, walks through everything and gives you a written, itemized estimate. Rather talk? [Call 775-359-6683](tel:+17753596683) Monday to Friday, 8 am to 5 pm Our estimators: Sean, Luke, Christa and Janet. 2277 Glendale Ave Sparks, NV 89431 [4.3 on Google · 71 reviews](https://obriensmoving-storage.com/reviews/) Family owned since 1941 U.S. DOT No. 30611 · MC-109375 · Nevada CPCN 1070