NZ Customs Release

Issue

782

28 March 2025

Drug courier caught with 15 kilograms of methamphetamine

Customs has arrested a 23-year-old woman for smuggling approximately 15.1 kilograms of methamphetamine on a flight from Canada on Wednesday night (26 March 2025).  
 
During a baggage search at Auckland International Airport, Customs officers found 14 individually vacuum-sealed packages containing a white crystal substance. Initial testing returned a positive result for the presence of methamphetamine. 
 
The woman is facing charges of importation and possession for supply of a Class A controlled drug.

Customs Controlled Area alcohol licence applications set to launch on Business Connect

Businesses, organisations and individuals applying for a Customs Controlled Area (CCA) licence to manufacture alcohol (Licenced Manufacturing Area (LMA) licence) or store alcohol (OSS) will be able to use Business Connect to submit their application from 1 April 2025.

This change provides a better user experience, enabling applicants to apply for their CCA licence independently and ensure they provide the information Customs needs to start processing the application. 

The Business Connect application offers an alternative to submitting applications via Trade Single Window (TSW).

For applications submitted through Business Connect, Customs will use the information provided to register the CCA in TSW on behalf of the applicant. The TSW application remains available where applicants are comfortable with independently completing this in TSW.

Other CCA licence application types are not covered by this change and will continue to be lodged through TSW.

Traveller jailed for MDMA smuggling 

A 29-year-old foreign national has been jailed for five years and nine months for smuggling approximately 25.7 kilograms of MDMA (ecstasy) through Auckland International Airport last year.

Arriving in New Zealand on 13 March 2024, he was subject to questioning and a baggage search where Customs officers located 25 black vacuum-sealed packages containing the illicit substance. As a result, he was charged with importation and possession for supply of a Class B drug.

Customs Auckland Airport Manager Paul Williams said, "With every smuggler Customs catches and prosecutes, we are a sending a message that we will not tolerate unlawful behaviour. In this instance alone, Customs officers prevented an estimated $5.3 million in social harm and cost to New Zealand." 

If you have suspicions about drug smuggling, call Customs confidentially on 0800 WE PROTECT (0800 937 768) or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Changes to Service Delivery forms 

Several forms in Service Delivery have been updated to simplify and standardise content. 

-  NZCS 218 Bring personal household items into New Zealand 
-  NZCS 231 Bring a pet or other animal into New Zealand 
-  NZCS 263 Bring general items into New Zealand as a private individual.
 
These changes will provide a better user experience and make the forms easier to understand.  

The forms are now available for use on Customs website.