New Zealand
The laws most likely to catch a visitor off guard. What is legal at home can be a serious crime here — each rule links to its official source.
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Penalties for possessing, using or trafficking illegal drugs in New Zealand are severe.
Convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.
§ US State Dept — New ZealandCustoms & Cash
New Zealand strictly enforces biosecurity at the border: declare all risk goods such as honey, fresh fruit, seeds, and plants — ignoring this brings an instant fine.
Instant NZD 400 fine for undeclared biosecurity-risk goods.
§ US State Dept — New ZealandYou must file a Border Cash Report when carrying NZD 10,000 or more in cash or equivalent (including foreign currency, cheques, and travellers' cheques) into or out of New Zealand.
Failing to declare cash or avoiding the report is a criminal offence — you can be fined, imprisoned, and have the cash seized.
§ New Zealand Customs ServiceImports & Customs
You must declare all goods that are a biosecurity risk, including honey, fresh fruit, seeds, and plants; failing to declare brings an instant fine.
Instant NZD 400 fine for undeclared biosecurity-risk goods.
§ US State Dept — New ZealandDriving
All traffic moves on the left in New Zealand, and the blood-alcohol limit is lower than in most US states with common roadside sobriety checks.
Driving under the influence could land you in jail.
§ US State Dept — New Zealand