New Zealand Customs Release Issue 735

For the past four years, duty payers have been able to apply for a remission or refund on interest and penalties on late duty payments, if they had been significantly affected by COVID-19.

This support ends on Monday 25 March 2024, due to the revocation of Customs and Excise (Refunds and Remissions) Amendment Regulations 2022.

Over the four-year period Customs has supported more than 500 clients specifically impacted by the pandemic. This was through the establishment of payment plans and other targeted financial support to the value of $215.6 million; of this amount 99.1% has been repaid.

Duty payers who experience cash flow issues can continue to contact Customs revenue team to discuss payment options.

The New Zealand Traveller Declaration (NZTD) collects travel, customs, immigration and biosecurity information. It aims to improve the safety and security of New Zealand.

As part of the transition to NZTD, the Passenger Arrival Card (PAC) is being phased out at the end of this month on 31 March 2024.  

Everyone entering New Zealand needs to submit a NZTD. It's free and can be completed on the NZTD website or NZTD app, using your phone or computer. The NZTD app can be downloaded at the Apple Store or Google Play.

From 1 April 2024, any travellers that have not been able to complete a digital NZTD, will be able to complete a NZTD paper declaration form instead.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is seeking views on the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) General Review.

Your feedback will help to ensure that CPTPP remains relevant to the trade and investment issues and challenges New Zealand currently faces.

Customs recently attended Super Sourcing Oceania, which brought together Indian exporters and New Zealand's business community across a two-day event hosted by the India New Zealand Business Council.

Allwyn Neto, Senior Policy Analyst, spoke on behalf of Customs and shared insights and guidance on exporting to India including the regulatory framework, dos and don't for traders, pain-points and practical advice.

Allwyn said "Customs welcomed the opportunity to connect with Indian exporters and New Zealand's business community and share our insights and guidance on exporting to New Zealand."
 
You can see photos from the event on the India New Zealand Business Council Facebook page.

Meet our new recruits of 2024 (from left to right - Miska, Kelly and Maverick) who arrived in New Zealand at the end of January. All three dogs are 12 months old and have already settled into their new daily routines. 

Miska is currently based in Auckland and Kelly and Maverick are in Christchurch and have begun their initial preparation training and are showing great potential. Keep an eye out for updates on the next phase of their Customs journey.

Also, don't forget to tune in to Dog Squad next week to see what else our Detector Dogs will find.

Dog Squad airs on TVNZ 1 at 8pm on Mondays, or can be streamed on TVNZ+.