NZ Customs Release

A formal Customs arrangement, signed on 6 August 2024, will further strengthen ties between New Zealand and India to ease trade and increase enforcement cooperation. 

Comptroller and Chief Executive of the New Zealand Customs Service, Ms Christine Stevenson, and Chairman of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs of India, Shri Sanjay Kumar Agarwal, signed a Customs Cooperative Arrangement (CCA) at a virtual signing ceremony. 

The CCA will enter into effect from the day of signing.

Customs has charged a third person in connection with an investigation into the smuggling of approximately 58 kilograms of methamphetamine hidden in bitumen rolls shipped from the United States.

A 42-year-old Auckland man appeared in the North Shore District Court yesterday after being arrested by Customs.

He is being jointly charged with a woman at the property on two charges of unlawful possession of a pistol, and unlawful possession of ammunition

Police and Customs have disrupted a Mexican crime syndicate operating out of central Auckland, allegedly importing and distributing methamphetamine.

Three arrests have been made and 180 kilograms of methamphetamine has been seized as part of the joint investigation into the international syndicate.

All three men, aged 23, 27 and 32, are Mexican nationals and appeared in the Auckland District Court this past Wednesday.

They are facing serious charges, including participating in an organised criminal group, importation of methamphetamine and possession and supply of methamphetamine.

An Irish national has sentenced to two-years-and-10-months' imprisonment following the seizure of nearly two kilograms of methamphetamine from his luggage at Auckland Airport in November 2023.

Customs officers searched the man's luggage after questioning him on his arrival from Malaysia last November, where the defendant had lived for several years. They located approximately 1.91 kilograms of methamphetamine hidden in the lining of five cardboard boxes in his luggage

On 31 July 2024, the Chief Executive of Customs made a suite of new Chief Executive Rules in order to standardise and modernise the language used, to ensure these documents are easier to follow and easier for Customs' clients to better understand their obligations.

11 of the 25 Chief Executive Rules have been remade, with the remainder to be done in two phases later this year (one to be completed in October, the final phase will be completed in December).

These new 2024 Rules are available for inspection on Customs' website.
 

The Coalition Government's Q3 Action plan for New Zealand includes a commitment to begin consultation on changes to improve the efficiency and fairness of goods fees by 30 September 2024.
 
Customs and the Ministry for Primary Industries have been working with a range of stakeholders to scope potential options, to ensure that options consulted on are well developed, and the information needed to assess them is provided through the consultation document. 
 
Once the Government has determined the options that it will consult on, we will provide a link to information on the consultation process and the consultation material in forthcoming Customs Release issues.

Get your New Zealand Traveller Declaration done online, ahead of time. 
 
Everyone travelling to or returning to New Zealand needs to complete a Declaration. You'll answer questions about your trip and what's in your bags.  
 
You can complete your Declaration at a time that suits you, on the online form or by downloading the NZTD app. And you can submit it 24 hours before your trip back to New Zealand. 
 
Head to www.travellerdeclaration.govt.nz or download the NZTD app to start your declaration today.