[Mark Liceaga]

Greetings to all!

I am planning to land at Auckland 1st time.

What is the process at Immigration? What kind of documentation do they ask for a residence visa?

How about customs?

Then where do you call a ride to go to a backpacker hostel?

Thanks!

[Diny]

Hi Mark

When you land at Auckland the process is just the same as any other airport. You queue at immigration, when it's your turn you simply hand over your passport (which if you have residencey will already have the necessary visa in it). They simply look at, maybe ask you a couple of 'ballpark' questions - that's it really.

Do you already have residencey or applying for it once you are here? As long as you arrive with some kind of visa (work, WTR etc) or are just staying for a short holiday period (with an onward ticket) I can't see you having any difficulties getting through immigration.

Customs is very straightforward too. They have sniffer dogs running around and the usual nothing to declare/goods to declare aisles. We've flown in and out of Auckland on many occasions and we always use the old trick of carrying something with us to declare (usually some vac packed smoked salmon). That way you walk right through the red exit (we know that it's an OK product to bring in). The customs officer takes a quick glance at it and then waves us through - hence no waiting in long lines in the green aisle.

You walk out into the main arrivals hall. Just walk out of any of the doors and you will see plenty of taxis.

It's a very easy 'customer friendly' airport.

Hope you have a good journey.

Diny

[katandbob]

what else can you take....other than salmon??? dont like fish much....but do fancy not queing!

Kat

[bpk]

Hi Diny

What things are NOT allowed to take with? I have heard that all foods are not allowed?! Is that true? What's about Tobaco?? and other things (i.e. Choclate?)

[Diny]

Food is OK as long as it is 'manufactured' and completely sealed.

What I'm trying to say is this, take something which you know is allowed - chocolate would be fine - but declare it in the red aisle. You will simply be waved through and will miss all the crowds.

When mum & dad came out to see us at Christmas they brought a jar of honey, not home made and totally unopened. They knew it was allowed but they 'acted dumb' and went through the red aisle. The customs officer simply said 'that's OK' and they sailed right through.

It's worked every time for us.

Diny

[Simon & Emily]

We've flown in and out of Auckland on many occasions and we always use the old trick of carrying something with us to declare (usually some vac packed smoked salmon). That way you walk right through the red exit (we know that it's an OK product to bring in). The customs officer takes a quick glance at it and then waves us through - hence no waiting in long lines in the green aisle.

Diny

What a brilliant idea - Thanks Diny. One more thing to make the trip just a little bit easier on the nerves.

Just a quick question - would that apply to all food, things like Dairylea cheese triangles, pepperami sticks and so on?

Emily

[veronica]

There should be shuttles that will takeyou to the city centre, these should be a lot cheaper than taxis. which backpackers are you heading for??

[katandbob]

Walkers crisp order anyone??? :laugh

kat

[Marie P]

Pleasssssssssssssssse

Dave upset me yesterday ....he said the D word casually in a conversation .......and was surprised at my howls of "ooooooooooooo Dorito's ......I had forgot about them .

So Kat ,big bag of orange dorito's for me please.

Marie x

[StevieD]

So now it's a case of using the green aisle because the red aisle will be clogged with ENZ members with "something to declare"!!! :laugh

Good tip though...

[katandbob]

Pleasssssssssssssssse

Dave upset me yesterday ....he said the D word casually in a conversation .......and was surprised at my howls of "ooooooooooooo Dorito's ......I had forgot about them .

So Kat ,big bag of orange dorito's for me please.

Marie x

:laugh :laugh :laugh see PM

[mossum]

Hi

An additional 2 bottles of spirits can be taken in if you've less than $700 worth of duty free .

Buy them when you get to NZ & go through the red lane with them - I've done this before & they just wave you through too . Also we all know someone who'd give you a donation for a cheep bottle lOL - not that I'd condone this behaviour in any way shape or form :cheers

vic
http://www.regency.co.nz/site/duty_free_allowances.htm
edited to add this link

[Diny]

I'm heading back to blighty in 6 weeks time, I plan to return with immoral amounts of Walkers and Cadbury's ....... and of course a years supply of jocks and socks from Primark for the kids !!!!
Diny

[katandbob]

and of course a years supply of jocks and socks from Primark for the kids !!!!
Diny
LOVE IT!!!! :clap :clap my favourite shop.....if the clothes are that bad in NZ...I may email the local shop...I could be a distributor :laugh

[StevieD]

Why get the kids undies and sock at Primark? Are they as bad as Kat suggests?