Is Ephedrine legal in New Zealand?

Legal status

Class C (Part V) controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 AND a listed precursor substance; ephedrine medicines remain unavailable to the public. (Unlike pseudoephedrine, ephedrine was NOT freed to pharmacy OTC in 2024.)

Consequences if caught

Class C controlled-drug offences apply: supply/manufacture up to 8 years; precursor offences (possessing/importing a precursor to produce a controlled drug) up to 5–7 years.

If prescribed or medical

Also a pharmacy/prescription decongestant-bronchodilator medicine subject to sales limits; carry documentation for a personal supply.

Documentation

Possession is an offence, but since the 2019 amendment (Sec 7(5)–(6)) Police exercise discretion toward a health-centred approach for personal use — more warnings and fewer prosecutions, criticized as a 'postcode lottery'. A presumption of supply applies above 28 g of cannabis or 5 g of methamphetamine. Medical cannabis is available by prescription under the Medicinal Cannabis Scheme (2019/2020) following the 2018 palliative exemption. A 2020 recreational-legalization referendum was narrowly rejected (50.7% no). Carry any controlled medicine with its prescription and confirm requirements with your embassy before travel.

Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with New Zealand’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.