Guptill will be available for the start of the campaign, with Ashley Giles's side hoping to be the first county to retain the T20 trophy after their success last summer. The 29-year-old will arrive once he has fulfilled his IPL commitments with Mumbai Indians.
He was the first New Zealand batsman to record a double-century in a One-Day International and he also holds the record for the highest score in a World Cup match, after scoring 237 not out against West Indies last year.
Guptill has previously played for Derbyshire as an overseas signing and will become the second New Zealand international to represent the Red Rose this season after Neil Wagner, who has already made a formidable impression.
The Auckland-born batsman has a superb record in ODI cricket of 4,844 runs at an average of 43.25, scoring ten centuries and 30 fifties for New Zealand. Guptill has also developed a talent for the shortest format of the game, attracting the interest of Mumbai Indians for their 2016 campaign, featuring alongside another Lancashire player in Jos Buttler.
Director of Cricket, Ashley Giles, said: "Martin is a formidable batsman, particularly in white ball cricket, and is currently ranked the world's third best batsman in T20 cricket.
"He is currently playing IPL cricket alongside Jos Buttler and will be ready to hit the ground running when he arrives at Emirates Old Trafford. He's got the ability to take games away from the opposition very quickly once he gets going and I'm sure our fans will really enjoy watching him play."
The Black Caps batsman added: "I am delighted to be heading back to England for another stint of county cricket, particularly for a club with such a rich history as Lancashire.
"I hope I can make a real impact and help with their pursuit for another trophy in white ball cricket."
Lancashire's opening fixture in the T20 blast is against Derbyshire Falcons on May 21 at Old Trafford.
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