1
NZ Post tracking number
Usually starts with letters then digits (e.g. CT, LP, UA, EE). It's on the NZ Post tracking page and the held-parcel email.
Parcel held by NZ Customs? Cleared same day.
Same-day NZ Post and NZ Customs parcel clearance. Send us your tracking number and the Parcel Notice from NZ Post — most held parcels are cleared within hours, with a transparent flat broker fee and direct phone access.
Instant
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0 Hours typical Most held parcels are cleared with NZ Customs and released within a couple of hours of receiving your details.
0 Reviews 534 verified Google reviews from importers, online shoppers and businesses across New Zealand.
24/7 Direct access Speak to a real broker, not a call centre. Phone us anytime - including evenings and weekends.
Got a Parcel Notice from NZ Post? Grab these first.
These four details are all we usually need to start clearing your parcel. Most clients send them by phone or email in under two minutes.
2
NZ Customs reference (CCN)
A long number labelled "Customs Cargo Number" or "CCN" on the NZ Post Parcel Notice. This is what NZ Customs uses to identify your parcel.
3
Invoice or proof of value
Supplier invoice, Aliexpress / Amazon order page, or PayPal receipt — whatever shows what you paid and what the goods are.
4
MPI / biosecurity flag (if any)
If the letter mentions MPI, biosecurity, food, plant or animal-origin items, note that — we'll handle the extra paperwork on your behalf.
Why NZ shoppers and importers call us first
Easy Freight is a small team of professional customs brokers based in Wiri, Auckland. We answer the phone ourselves, quote within minutes, and clear most NZ Post and courier-held parcels the same day.
Same-day parcel release
Most NZ Post held parcels are lodged with NZ Customs within an hour of receiving your details — and released the same day.
Phone answered, not queued
No call-centre, no IVR. Phone or email reaches an actual NZ-based broker who can act on your parcel right away.
Specialists in NZ Post holds
We handle 3–7 NZ Post and courier parcel-clearance cases every day. We know exactly what NZ Customs and MPI need.
Professional NZ customs brokers
Auckland-based brokers with 40+ years combined experience and a direct line into NZ Customs and MPI.
Transparent flat broker fee
Standard NZ Post parcel clearance $135 + GST flat — quoted upfront before any work starts. No surprises.
What our customers say
Verified reviews from Easy Freight customers — selected from our 4.8☆ Google rating across 534 reviews. Customer names are abbreviated for privacy.
“I would like to extend huge praise and gratitude to the team at Easy Freight. I am a small startup business owner and needed some goods shipped from the US to NZ — the team at Easy Freight made the whole transaction painless and stress-free!”
“Sanjesh and the team work extremely hard to get our freight into the country within tight time frames. They keep us up to date with where our product is and take care of everything from behind the scenes.”
“Both Lily and Marina from Easy Freight were excellent in our import of mini excavator from China. Being our first time importing anything like this, Marina was very helpful in letting our supplier know what documents were needed in NZ.”
Recent NZ Post parcel clearances
Real outcomes from the last few weeks. Details anonymised; timeframes and reasons are exactly as they happened.
Cleared in 2 hours
Aliexpress order, NZ Post held 5 days
Auckland shopper received the standard NZ Post Parcel Notice for an electronics order. Invoice forwarded at 10:30am, lodged with NZ Customs by 11am, released the same afternoon.
Released same day after 9 days stuck
Vintage parts, undervalued declaration
NZ Customs disputed the declared value of a parcel from the US. We provided supporting evidence (eBay listing, payment receipt), revised the entry, and NZ Post released the parcel the same day.
Handled overnight
MPI biosecurity flag on food gift box
Christmas hamper from a UK relative held by MPI for biosecurity screening. We organised inspection and signed off the permitted items the next working day; the rest were destroyed at MPI's direction.
Cleared in 3 hours
Commercial-quantity review for a small retailer
A 30-unit phone-accessory order was reclassified by NZ Customs as a commercial-quantity import. We registered the importer with NZ Customs, lodged the entry with correct tariff codes, and the parcel cleared that afternoon.
Names and identifying details have been removed. Specific timeframes depend on NZ Customs and MPI processing times on the day — we'll give you an honest estimate as soon as we see your case.
Instant parcel clearance quote — transparent flat fee
Send us your NZ Post tracking number, the NZ Customs reference and a copy of the supplier invoice. We respond with an honest quote covering the broker fee plus any duty / GST NZ Customs assesses on the goods — before any work begins.
Get parcel clearance quote
Flat broker fee $135+GST
Standard NZ Post held-parcel clearance quoted upfront. Complex cases (MPI biosecurity, commercial-quantity review) priced individually.
Same-day action
Once you approve the quote, we lodge with NZ Customs immediately — most parcels released the same working day.
No hidden fees
Broker fee, any duty & GST, and MPI fees (if any) are all itemised before we start. What we quote is what you pay.
Direct phone access
Call +64 9 215 4654 and speak to the broker handling your parcel — no call centre, no waiting.
How your parcel gets released, step by step
Most parcels follow the same five-step path from "held by NZ Customs" to "released by NZ Post". Here's exactly what happens once you contact us.
- 1
Send tracking + CCN + invoice
Phone, email, or use the form below. We need the NZ Post tracking number, NZ Customs reference (CCN), and a copy of the supplier invoice.
- 2
Honest quote within 10 minutes
We confirm the broker fee, expected duty / GST, and any MPI charges — itemised, upfront, before any work starts.
- 3
You approve & pay securely
One-click approval and online payment. The moment we receive payment, the entry goes to NZ Customs.
- 4
We lodge with NZ Customs & MPI
Tariff classification, value, GST and any biosecurity steps are handled by our professional brokers. We keep you updated by SMS or email.
- 5
NZ Post releases your parcel
Once NZ Customs releases the entry, NZ Post resumes delivery automatically. Most parcels arrive within 1–2 working days of release.
Free
Pay when ready
No obligation
Start your clearance
Fastest path is a phone call: +64 9 215 4654. Or use the form below — we'll lodge with NZ Customs as soon as payment clears.
Why Parcels Get Held by NZ Customs
Most NZ Post and courier parcel holds come down to one of six reasons. Recognising which one applies to yours makes the clearance fast.
1. The declared value triggers duty and GST
New Zealand applies duty and 15% GST on imported goods above the personal de-minimis threshold. NZ Customs holds the parcel until duty / GST is paid and a formal entry is lodged. This is the most common reason for a "parcel held by NZ Customs" Parcel Notice from NZ Post — particularly for orders from Aliexpress, Amazon, eBay, Temu and other overseas marketplaces.
What we do: lodge the entry, calculate the duty + GST accurately, and arrange payment so NZ Post can release the parcel the same day.
2. The declared value looks too low
If the value on the commercial invoice or postal declaration is implausibly low for the type of goods, NZ Customs flags it for review. Common with electronics, phones, designer items, and parcels marked "gift" when the contents say otherwise. NZ Customs will ask for proof of what you paid (invoice, order receipt, payment screenshot).
What we do: provide the supporting documentation, revise the entry to the correct value, and resolve the hold — usually same day once the evidence is in hand.
3. NZ Customs reclassifies it as a commercial-quantity import
Multiple identical items in one parcel can be reclassified by NZ Customs as a commercial-quantity import. This pushes the parcel out of the simplified personal-import process and requires a formal import entry, a registered importer client code, correct tariff codes, and broker handling.
What we do: register your client code if needed, lodge the commercial entry with correct tariff codes, and clear the parcel without you having to learn the NZ Customs system yourself.
4. MPI biosecurity inspection is required
If the parcel contains food, plant matter, animal-origin items, wood packaging, soil contamination, leather, fur, or unprocessed natural materials, MPI (Ministry for Primary Industries) may need to inspect or treat it. MPI charges an inspection fee, and some items can't enter NZ regardless of paperwork.
What we do: coordinate the MPI inspection or treatment, present import permits where required, and recover any permitted goods quickly. We'll tell you upfront if something can't be cleared so you can decide whether to abandon, re-export or destroy.
5. Missing or incorrect paperwork
Sometimes the supplier doesn't attach an invoice, the commercial invoice is in a foreign language, or essential details (description, HS code, value) are missing. NZ Customs holds the parcel until the paperwork is corrected.
What we do: collect the missing information from you or the supplier, prepare a compliant invoice or supplementary declaration, and lodge the entry on your behalf.
6. Prohibited or restricted items
Some goods can't enter NZ at all (certain knives, pepper spray, some medicines, controlled substances) and others require import permits in advance (firearms, regulated chemicals, plant pesticides, some food supplements). When NZ Customs identifies a prohibited or restricted item, the parcel is held while options are reviewed.
What we do: tell you immediately whether the item can be cleared, what permits are needed, and the realistic options — clearance with documentation, re-export, voluntary destruction, or seizure. Honest advice with no false promises.
Not sure which one applies? Just call.
Forward us the NZ Post Parcel Notice and we'll tell you within minutes which reason has triggered the hold and what it'll take to clear. Phone +64 9 215 4654 or send via the form above.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about NZ Post and NZ Customs parcel holds
My parcel is held by NZ Post and Customs — how fast can you clear it?
Most NZ Post held parcels are cleared within a couple of hours of us receiving your tracking number, the NZ Customs reference (CCN) and a copy of your supplier invoice. We work directly with NZ Customs and MPI, so there's no waiting in a call-centre queue. Same-day release is the norm, not the exception.
Why has my parcel been held by NZ Customs?
Common reasons include: the declared value looks too low or is missing; the goods exceed the personal de-minimis threshold so duty and GST apply; NZ Customs reclassifies the parcel as a commercial quantity; MPI flags it for biosecurity (food, plant, animal-origin, wood packaging); or paperwork is missing. Each requires a different fix — we identify which one applies and resolve it.
How much does NZ Post parcel clearance cost through a broker?
Our broker fee for a standard NZ Post held parcel clearance is a flat NZD $135 + GST, plus any duty and GST NZ Customs assesses on the goods themselves. Pay online through our parcel clearance form — no surprise fees.
What documents do I need to clear my held parcel?
To clear a held parcel we need: the NZ Post tracking number; the NZ Customs reference number (often called CCN, shown on the NZ Post Parcel Notice); a copy of the supplier invoice or proof of value (Aliexpress / Amazon order page screenshot is fine for personal imports); your IRD or NZBN if applicable; and a brief description of the goods. If MPI biosecurity is involved we'll let you know what extra information is needed.
Can I clear my parcel myself without a broker?
For low-value personal parcels, sometimes yes — NZ Customs offers self-clearance through their TSW (Trade Single Window) system. In practice it requires creating a client code, learning the system, getting tariff codes right and chasing replies. For anyone who isn't doing this regularly a broker is faster and almost always cheaper than time lost. We're happy to tell you honestly when self-clearance is the better option.
What happens if I ignore the NZ Post letter about a held parcel?
NZ Post holds parcels for a limited window (typically around 21 days) while NZ Customs assesses them. If no clearance action is taken, the parcel is returned to sender or destroyed, and you generally do not get a refund from the supplier. The fastest fix is to act early — even forwarding the letter to us means we can usually clear the parcel before any deadline runs out.
Do you only handle NZ Post parcels, or other couriers too?
We clear parcels held by any carrier — NZ Post, DHL, FedEx, UPS, TNT, Aramex, courier-post, and freight forwarders' own delivery agents. The customs process is the same regardless of who is physically holding the parcel; what matters is the NZ Customs reference and the underlying assessment.