Is Etizolam legal in New Zealand?
- Legal status
- Etizolam is controlled by a Temporary Class Drug Order (Gazette 2022-go164) as an unapproved psychoactive substance; notably, personal possession of a temporary-class drug is NOT an offence, but supply and import are.
- Consequences if caught
- Personal possession carries no penalty under a Temporary Class Drug Order; supply and import are penalised.
- If prescribed or medical
- An unapproved/unregistered substance — there is no licensed etizolam medicine.
- Documentation
- No lawful commercial import route; personal possession is not an offence but importing is.
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.
Before you travel
Verify current rules with the destination country’s official drug authority and your own country’s embassy before traveling. Find the destination’s U.S. embassy & official country guidance →
Non-U.S. travelers: check your own government’s travel advisory and embassy.
If you’re detained or arrested abroad
Contact your own country’s embassy or consulate in the destination immediately — not the destination’s authorities. U.S. citizens: contact the nearest U.S. embassy/consulate and the U.S. State Department at +1-202-501-4444 (from abroad). If a U.S. citizen is arrested or detained abroad →