What is an R18 - Restricted Delivery ticket?

With changes to legislation around the sending of age restricted product, there are heightened expectations on businesses/senders of these items, to ensure age verification of the receiver. New Zealand Couriers has an R18 ticket to assist with legal compliance. 

If you are sending an age restricted product and choose to purchase the R18 ticket, it must be affixed to a parcel in addition to the standard outbound ticket/label, as well as any other services included with that delivery such as Dangerous Goods, Saturday, Rural or Residential. 

When a delivery takes place, the courier will ask to see ID if the receiver looks under 25 years of age.

Types of ID that our couriers can accept are - NZ Drivers licence, a valid and current passport, or a Kiwi Access card (previously known as 18+). In instances where no ID is provided, the item will be returned to our closest branch, and can be collected by the receiver (ID will be required before the item can be handed over).  

Is the R18 - Restricted Delivery ticket mandatory?

The R18 ticket exists to help customers abide by the laws and regulations in the sending of age restricted products via our courier network. New Zealand Couriers recommends that you follow the laws around sending age restricted products. However, we will not be demanding the use of these tickets, as this is entirely the responsibility of the sender. 

What is classified as an age restricted item?

At this stage, the legislation looks to be more focused on tobacco and vape products, however we do anticipate that similar outcomes may occur in relation to the sending of alcohol. 

See the Ministry of Health information around online sales to minors here. 

What happens if no one is home to receive an item with an Age Restricted Ticket?

If no-one is home (at the delivery address), a card will be left to explain New Zealand Couriers’ redelivery processes / receiver pick-up options. However, an ‘Authority to Leave’ or ‘Permission to Leave’ is NOT allowed  - the courier will not leave the item unattended (as receiver ID cannot be checked).
The recipient can arrange for redelivery via the ‘card left process’ or collect from the local branch.