Economy & Economy Tracked

The cost to send a parcel by Economy is based on the size, destination and weight. You are charged by the actual weight, rounded up to the nearest 50g increment.

Economy Plus

The cost to send a parcel by Economy Plus is based on the size, destination and weight. You are charged by either the actual weight or volumetric weight, whichever is greater, rounded up to the next 50g increment.

Calculating volumetric weight

Volumetric weight (kg) = Height (m) x Length (m) x Depth (m) x 200

Example:

A parcel with dimensions 150mm (height) x 400mm (length) x and 600mm (depth)

(0.15m x 0.4m x 0.6m) x 200 = 7.20kg.

If the actual weight on the scales for this parcel is 4kg, then you would be charged at 7.20kg as the volumetric weight is greater than the actual weight of the parcel.

Economy and Economy Tracked

Economy Plus

The information below is for items sent via Economy and Economy Plus service. Customs documentation is not required if you’re sending a letter or document via Economy or Economy Registered service.

Items sent via Economy and Economy Plus can be lodged at your local NZ Post Store or from home via Print Postage Online.

All Economy and Economy Plus items lodged at NZ Post store require:

• A green Customs declaration (CN22) for Economy service and a white consignment note (CN 300) for Economy Plus service, available in store.
• A copy of the commercial invoice or an Export Invoice (NCPI025) (PDF - 49KB), if the items being sent are part of a commercial transaction
• A completed Export Entry (for items valued over NZ$1,000). NZ Post can complete this on your behalf for an additional cost.

Sender, receiver and parcel content information that you provide on the Customs declaration form or on Print Post Online will be shared in advance, to the destination postal administration and national government agencies (such as Customs) for fiscal, risk, security and border clearance purposes, in line with national and international legislation. Learn more about  Electronic Advance Data (EAD).

Attaching documents to parcels:

If you have documentation, such as shipping labels (including electronic labels and manual consignment notes, invoices, or other certificates) that are not adhesive, you will need to put them into a clear plastic pouch and attach it securely to your parcel. Please ensure the shipping label is facing out. You can buy clear pouches at NZ Post stores or at our online shop.

To find your HS Tariff code, go to the Tariff Finder.

Tariff codes allow international customs offices to safely and easily classify anything being brought into their country. Harmonised System, or HS Tariff codes are published by the World Customs Organisation, as a standardised system across all countries.

New European shipping regulations mean that parcels being sent to the EU must have accurate HS Tariff codes. However, we strongly recommend that even parcels being sent to countries outside of Europe still meet these guidelines, in case the package is diverted through Europe on the way to its destination.

Failure to provide an accurate HS Tariff code could mean your parcel gets delayed or returned. NZ Post does not have control over whether this happens, and cannot take responsibility for parcels which are delayed or returned because of missing or incorrect HS Tariff codes.

International delivery network updates
For the latest updates on affected delivery times or items we temporarily cannot accept, please visit our international delivery updates. 

Prohibited and restricted items
Ensure your item is safe to send by checking our prohibited and restricted items information. 

Cover and compensation
Find out if you’ll be compensated if your item goes missing or gets damaged and how much you may be entitled to, subject to your compliance with our terms and conditions.  

How to package an item

The standard terms and conditions of the products and services offered by NZ 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 selected NZ Post stores. 

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 NZ Post store 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 NZ 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 NZ 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.

See our full terms and conditions