International departure information

International travel has changed. There are extra steps to take before you fly to your destination and before your return journey home. Plan ahead carefully by checking and completing the requirements for your destination and airline, and be organised before you arrive at the airport.

Check requirements

Each airline and destination may have different requirements and it is your responsibility to understand what you need to do for your entire trip, including connecting flights, transit points and your return journey.

• Check the New Zealand Government's advice on leaving New Zealand here,
• Check the requirements for destinations you are flying to (including transits),
• Check your Airline’s travel requirements including COVID-19 pre-departure tests.

Before you get to the airport make sure that you and your luggage adheres to aviation security regulations - including those relating to what you can carry onto the plane in your hand luggage.

Find out about carrying liquids, aerosols and gels before you get to the airport, and remember it is always wise to check your airline ticket for more information.

• Check in
• Departure area
• Customs and emigration
• Roading network upgrades
• Security check point
• Online shopping and terminal shopping facilities
• Departure information
• Safe Travel
• Security restrictions: liquids, aerosols and gels

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Check in

The check in counters for international passengers are located on the ground floor of the international terminal.

When checking in, you must have the following documents:

• Passport
• Travel documents, including ticket and/or booking reference.

Please ensure you have included all items in your checked-in luggage that can not be left in your carry-on luggage before you exit the check-in area. Please check the list here.

Departure area

After checking-in on the ground floor, passengers should go to the first floor. Passengers are advised to enter the departure area to complete Customs and emigration formalities and then move on to their departure gate lounge. Please ensure you only have allowable items and volumes in your carry-on bags at this point. For those needing to re-pack their carry-on bags to meet these criteria for Aviation security, we have tables available in this pre-departure area for you to repack your bag if necessary. Our airport maps will help guide you to the right place.

Customs and emigration

To help us ensure processing flows smoothly for the benefit of all passengers, before reaching the Customs counter please have your boarding pass and passport ready. As of 5 November 2018, departure cards are no longer required.

Security check point

Help our security team keep you safe by keeping to our safety procedures. After completing Customs formalities all passengers pass through the security screening point operated by the Aviation Security Service.

From Wednesday the 1st of May 2024, you no longer need to remove certain items from your bags for security screening for International flights only, including (but not limited to) laptops and mobile phones. Please check the current signage in the pre-departure area for what is applicable or check the Aviation security website here (Hyperlink to AVSEC correct pages when up/live: tbc)

Online shopping and terminal shopping and dining facilities

Shop online with The Mall

Shop duty free and tax free online before you fly and we’ll have your purchases ready and waiting for you to pick up when you fly, pick up at departures or arrivals - just choose a Collection Point option that suits you. Shop spirits, fragrances, jewellery, clothing and more. Shop now.

In terminal

Our shops, dining and relaxation facilities offer travellers a great choice of leisure activities for you to enjoy once you have passed through the emigration check point. We have specialist, kiwi souvenir and duty free shops, including:

• clothing and jewellery
• books, music and art
• confectionary and wine
• cosmetics and fragrances
• small electronic appliances

All of the domestic terminal food and beverage and retail stores have re-opened. We can’t wait to welcome you back. Find out more >

There are currently limited shopping and dining options at the international terminal. Find out more >

Departure information

Departure gate information is displayed on monitors throughout the departure area and after security. Passengers are advised to check the monitors for their departure gate. Each departure gate is clearly numbered and the flight number provided. Our airport maps and friendly staff will help point you in the right direction!

Safe Travel

When planning your travel, and before you leave NZ check out the SafeTravel website. The website has destination specific important health and general advisories you should be aware of before you travel.

While mosquitoes in New Zealand don’t carry diseases, in many other countries they do and there are other bugs to be aware when you travel. See Ministry of Health website for more information on the bugs to be aware of and what precautions you can take to avoid being bitten.

Ministry of Health advisory

The Ministry of Health is advising people travelling overseas to make sure they are fully immunised against measles before they go.

Measles is regularly brought into the New Zealand through international travel. There are currently significant measles outbreaks overseas, including in the Philippines and in some European countries.

Children who have not yet been immunised are at greatest risk of the disease. The Ministry of Health recommends that:

• Infants aged 6–15 months travelling to countries with serious measles outbreaks be given MMR vaccine before their travel. This is an additional vaccination for those infants – they will still need their usual MMR vaccinations at 15 months and four years old.

If you haven’t been immunised, you should be cautious about travelling to any countries where there are serious measles outbreaks.

An up-to-date list of countries with a measles outbreak can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website.

Security restrictions: powders, liquids, aerosols and gels

The New Zealand Government has introduced security arrangements for all international flights to and from New Zealand airports.

At Auckland Airport, our focus is to make the security process as simple and friendly as possible, whilst still ensuring all international passengers comply with new regulations. Please note that for International flights only at this stage, from Wednesday 1st of May 2024 you no longer need to remove certain items from your bags for security screening including (but not limited to) laptops and mobile phones. Please check the links below, the current signage in the pre-departure area for what is applicable or the Aviation security website here

• The restrictions explained
• What are liquids, aerosols and gels?
• Packing advice
• Shopping - what can I buy and from where?

Batteries and power banks

Whether a battery can be carried or not depends on the type of battery, its configuration, or the number being carried. It is always best to check with your airline, but as a general guide the following rules almost always apply

• Batteries installed in consumer electronics / equipment. These items can be carried provided the batteries are securely installed in the device and the device is protected so it cannot be accidentally turned on.
• Spare or loose batteries – These batteries must be carried separately, and must be carried in your carry-on luggage. They must also be well protected and/or insulated to prevent short-circuiting.
• Power banks / Power packs must be in carry-on baggage only. If the power bank has multiple purposes , it will still be considered a power bank and considered a dangerous good.