Yes, absinthe is legal in New Zealand, but its production, sale, and importation are tightly controlled under the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012 and Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) regulations. The beverage, historically restricted due to its thujone content, now complies if it adheres to maximum thujone limits (≤10 mg/kg) and meets FSANZ’s food safety standards. Customs NZ enforces these rules, requiring importers to provide certificates of compliance. Recent 2026 amendments to the Food Standards Code further clarify labeling and thujone testing protocols, aligning with EU and US standards to mitigate health risks.
Key Regulations for Absinthe in New Zealand
- Thujone Limits: Absinthe must contain ≤10 mg/kg of thujone, as mandated by FSANZ Standard 1.4.1 (Contaminants and Natural Toxicants). Products exceeding this threshold are prohibited under the Food Act 2014.
- Alcohol Content: The beverage must comply with the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act 2012, restricting sales to licensed premises (e.g., liquor stores, bars) and prohibiting minors from purchasing. Online sales require age verification.
- Labeling Requirements: Labels must display the alcohol percentage (typically 45–74% ABV), thujone content (if detectable), and a health warning per FSANZ guidelines. Misleading claims (e.g., “hallucinogenic”) are banned.
Customs NZ and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) conduct random inspections, with penalties for non-compliance ranging from fines to seizure. Distillers must register with MPI if producing domestically, while importers require an import health standard (IHS) clearance. The 2026 FSANZ updates introduce stricter third-party testing for imported batches, reflecting global harmonization efforts.