New Zealand

Penalties for possessing, using or trafficking illegal drugs in New Zealand are severe.

Convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

Recreational cannabis is illegal in New Zealand — the 2020 legalisation referendum failed, so nothing changed. New Zealand Police put the range at a $500 fine for possession up to a 14 year jail term for supply or manufacture. Medicinal cannabis is legal, but only on a New Zealand prescription.

Possession: up to 3 months imprisonment and/or a $500 fine. Supply or manufacture: up to 14 years. Cultivation: up to 7 years. Importing illegal drugs: up to 12 years (UK FCDO).

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.

You 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.

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.

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.