Restricted products

Buying something legally in the United States does not automatically mean it can be imported into New Zealand, carried by an airline or courier, or handled by AmeriKiwi. This policy explains AmeriKiwi’s current service position. It is not legal, customs, biosecurity, tax or dangerous-goods advice.

When you submit a request, our software checks the product name, URL, category and notes for restricted-product signals. That automated check is triage only. It may route a request to pending review, manual review or a not-accepted path, but it does not approve an import.

A person at AmeriKiwi makes the final decision on whether to quote. Final acceptance can depend on product details, quantity, ingredients or materials, batteries, voltage, retailer information, carrier rules, customs or biosecurity risk, operational capability and company policy.

• Describe the product accurately, including size, variant, quantity, materials, ingredients, batteries, liquids, aerosols, chemicals or unusual features where relevant.
• Use a real product URL where available and do not hide or mislabel restricted goods.
• Tell us if you know the product needs a permit, licence, special handling, cold chain, age verification or dangerous-goods handling.
• Understand that inaccurate information can lead to refusal, delay, return, disposal, additional costs or only partial refund recovery.

• Clothing- US-only ranges, sizes that never make it here, brands with no NZ store.
• Footwear- Sneakers, boots, wide/narrow fittings that Kiwi retailers don't stock.
• Books & print- First editions, signed copies, out-of-print titles, US-only releases.
• Collectibles- Trading cards, figures, memorabilia and limited drops.
• Hobby & craft- Model kits, quilting and craft supplies, sports gear, instrument parts.
• Toys (no batteries)- Non-powered toys and games. Anything with a battery goes to review.
• Household goods- Ordinary homeware, kitchen items, bedding, storage and decor.
• Replacement parts- Uncomplicated spare parts — trim, brackets, fittings, mechanical bits.

These categories are usually within AmeriKiwi’s service capability, but every request is still reviewed. This is not an approval or an import guarantee.

• Electronics- Possible, but always reviewed by a person — plugs, voltage and compliance.
• Anything with a battery- Lithium cells are restricted in air freight. We check every time.
• Cosmetics & skincare- Reviewed individually — ingredients and labelling rules vary.
• Something else- Not sure where it fits? Send it through and we'll tell you honestly.

Electronics, battery-powered goods, cosmetics and unusual products may be lawful in some cases, but they can raise voltage, compliance, dangerous-goods, ingredient, labelling, carrier or import questions. We review them before deciding whether to quote.

These categories are excluded from AmeriKiwi’s current service. Some may be prohibited by law, some may be permit-controlled or licence-controlled, some may be biosecurity or dangerous-goods risks, some may be refused by carriers, and some are outside AmeriKiwi’s operational policy.

• Law or regulation may prohibit or restrict the product.
• New Zealand Customs, MPI, another border agency or a permit process may apply.
• Air freight or courier rules may prohibit or restrict the product.
• The product may require dangerous-goods classification, documentation or handling that AmeriKiwi does not provide.
• The product may create counterfeit, safety, age-restriction, consumer-compliance, fraud or operational risk.
• The retailer listing may be unclear, unreliable, unavailable or materially different from the details supplied.

If a restricted-product issue is discovered after submission, after quote, after purchase or when the product reaches the United States, AmeriKiwi may pause the request and review the lawful options. Depending on the situation, those options may include refusing to purchase, cancelling before purchase, returning the item to the retailer if available, arranging lawful disposal, re-selling where practical and lawful, or shipping only after further information or approvals are available.

Refunds in that situation depend on what can be recovered from the retailer, carrier, payment provider or other third party, and on who caused the issue.

Border rules, carrier policies and AmeriKiwi’s operating capability can change. We may update this policy and the screening rules at any time. The decision on a request is made using the information and policies available when we review it.

See the customer-facing shipping categories page