NZ Customs Release

Customs is consulting on the proposed topic and scope for its Long-term Insights Briefing (LTIB).

Customs' LTIB will explore the use of New Zealand Tariff goods classification to identify goods of interest at the border.

We are interested in your views on whether this would be a useful topic for Customs to develop as its LTIB, and your views on the proposed scope of the LTIB. 

Consultation opened on 14 January 2025 and will run until 31 January 2025.

Exporters and importers of non hazardous e-waste are advised of the update to the Basel Convention affecting these goods. With effect from 1 January 2025, the Basel Convention, the global Convention which sets the requirements on the import and export of hazardous and certain other waste, has been amended. 
 
All exporters of e-waste, whether hazardous or non-hazardous, are required to have a permit (prior informed consent) before they ship their waste.
 
Shipments without a permit may be:
 
-Denied entry into the country of import,
-Stopped at a transit/tranship country en route to the country of import,
-Required to be shipped back to the country of origin.
 
Importers and exporters of e-waste are reminded that ALL e-waste must be classified under 8549 in the HS Tariff, per the 1 January 2022 tariff amendments.

Any questions, please contact basel@mfe.govt.nz. 

Customs has arrested three alleged drug couriers at Auckland International Airport, in separate smuggling attempts during the first week of January, seizing a total of an estimated 27 kilograms of methamphetamine worth NZ$10.23 million.

New Zealand has now signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
 
The CEPA broadens New Zealand's network of Free Trade Agreements, providing greater opportunities and market diversification options to New Zealand exporters. 

The rate of compensatory interest payable under sections 154 and 161 of the Customs and Excise Act 2018 has now changed from 10.91% to 10.88%.