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| | | NZ-UAE Free Trade Agreement enters into force | | | The New Zealand–United Arab Emirates (UAE) Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) is now in force.
The NZ-UAE CEPA, our first trade agreement in the Middle East, offers exciting opportunities for export growth in a premium market.
From today 98.5% of New Zealand's exports to the UAE will be able to enter duty-free under the CEPA, growing to 99% by the start of 2027.
Full Customs provisions are available on our website. | | | | | | | | | | 
| | | Are you a New Zealand business operating in China? This workshop could be for you. | | | New Zealand businesses operating in China are invited to register for a New Zealand Government regulatory workshop in Shanghai on Friday 5 September 2025.
This is an opportunity to hear the latest from Customs and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) on trade regulations including food safety, biosecurity, and customs procedures that are relevant to exporting to China.
Guest speakers:
- Brendan Pearce, Customs Counsellor in Beijing (New Zealand Customs)
- Chad Tustin, interim Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)
- Deputy Director-General China Relations in Beijing
Spaces are limited. To register, email shanghai.enquiries@mft.net.nz with your name, job title and company/organisation, mobile number and your topics of interest. | | | | | | | | | 
| | | Updated guidance for suspected quarantinable disease on domestic and international vessels | | | Health New Zealand, in partnership with Customs and Maritime NZ, has updated the Vessel Management Framework: Guidance for managing maritime vessels when a quarantinable disease is suspected or confirmed on board.
This guidance supports port and vessel operators, unions, agents, government officials, and the National Public Health Service in managing suspected or confirmed cases among crew or passengers, international or domestic.
Originally developed during COVID-19, the framework now applies to any quarantinable disease. It reflects best practice and should be read alongside any outbreak-specific legislation or guidance. | | | | | | | | | | 
| | | Import Entry Transaction Fee refunds | | | Customs has become aware of an administrative issue which resulted in some individuals being charged the Customs portion of the Import Entry Transaction Fee (IETF) in error.
This error impacted individuals importing goods through mail during the period 1 July 2021 to 3 March 2023.
This only pertains to Import Clearances completed by Customs.
Customs invites importers who may have been impacted to apply for a refund. Guidance on how to apply and what information is required to support a refund application is available on Customs' website's Important Notices section. | | | | | | | | | | 
| | | Customs seize record amount of GBL | | | A joint Customs and New Zealand Police operation has resulted in New Zealand's largest ever seizure of gamma butyrolactone (GBL) at the border and four arrests in Wellington.
GBL is commonly known as Fantasy or liquid ecstasy.
Earlier this month an estimated 1,950 litres of GBL have been seized. Four men are now before the courts on a range of significant drugs charges. | | | | | | | | | | 
| | | Police and Customs 'one step ahead' as $37m methamphetamine shipment is foiled | | | Police and Customs have sprung upon a $37 million methamphetamine shipment concealed amongst machine parts sent through air cargo.
Seven people now face criminal charges and 124 kilograms of methamphetamine has been prevented from reaching New Zealand communities. | | | | | | | | | | 
| | | Customs makes arrest after seizing 927,000 cigarettes | | | A 43-year-old man was scheduled to appear in the Manukau District Court on Tuesday 26 August for importing 927,000 uncustomed cigarettes and evading NZ$1.4 million in taxes.
Customs arrested the defendant on Monday 25 August following search warrants conducted with assistance from New Zealand Police at a range of Auckland addresses, including storage facilities and residences. He is charged with importing prohibited goods, defrauding Customs revenue, and possession of uncustomed goods. | | | | | | | | | | 
| | | Sentencing for air passenger found with gift-wrapped methamphetamine | | | A Canadian national who attempted to smuggle gift-wrapped methamphetamine through Auckland International Airport in December last year, has been sentenced to three years and two months' imprisonment.
The 30-year-old woman appeared in the Manukau District Court last Friday (22 August), charged with importation of a Class A controlled drug, which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
The defendant had arrived in Auckland on a flight from Vancouver last December. She was arrested by New Zealand Customs officers after a baggage search identified five packages of crystal methamphetamine wrapped as Christmas gifts.
The total approximate weight was 9.9 kilograms, with a purity of 80 percent. | | | | | | | | | | 
| | | MFAT Market Intelligence Reports | | | The latest edition of the weekly global trade and economic update for New Zealand businesses has been published. | | | | | | | | |