Helping You do business
Securing supply chains is vital for New Zealand's export-driven economy.
At Customs, we recognise the importance of keeping trade flowing and secure. The Secure Exports Scheme supports this and is helping put New Zealand exporters on the front foot at international borders.
The scheme can minimise red tape and the risk of delays to New Zealand exporters on the front foot at international borders.
The scheme can minimise red tape and the risk of delays to New Zealand exports from Customs' intervention and inspection. You can benefit from this by becoming a partner.
Topics:
How it works
Advantages for exporters
Green Lane vs Red Lane
What we ask of you
Customs’ responsibilities
The principles
How do I join?
A large number of businesses exporting from New Zealand have already joined the Secure Exports Scheme as partners. The enhanced security of their supply chain means greater certainty as it smooths the progress of their shipments to and through the United States, and around the world.
The scheme is voluntary and open to all exporters, by all modes of transport, to all destinations.
The scheme’s partners make a firm commitment to have measures in place to protect their goods against tampering, sabotage or smuggling, from the point of packing containers, to delivery at a site for export loading.
This commitment ensures:
- Goods exported from New Zealand under the scheme are packed securely.
- Partners have adequate measures in place to assure the security of goods.
- Goods are conveyed securely and without interference to the place of shipment.
- Sea freight containers or other packages are secured with a Customs-approved seal or marking which signals that it is under Customs control and can be considered secure by overseas Customs administrations. Partners make a commitment to ensure that all contents of the container are reported accurately and that nothing else has been added.
By providing an increased level of assurance over exports, partners generally require less Customs intervention in their export activities.
Our expectations of partners are simple. We require:
- Accurate advance export information.
- That you maintain an agreed level of security.
- That we work in partnership.
Trade is the lifeblood of the New Zealand economy. Your trade is an important part of that and ensuring trade moves smoothly and quickly is crucial.
By becoming a Secure Exports Scheme partner you are providing us with increased confidence in the security of your exports. You will also significantly reduce the likelihood of your shipment requiring examination.
You will demonstrate to off-shore business contacts that you are committed to providing them with goods in a secure and timely fashion.
The advantages of joining the scheme include:
- Secure supply chain from point of packing to time of loading for export.
- 'Green lane' status means cargo can be moved to port/airport facilities knowing the potential for Customs intervention for security is low.
- Ability to demonstrate compliance with security standards when contracting to supply overseas importers that are committed to supply chain security.
- Joining the scheme will enhance your border clearance privileges in the United States provided your client is a member of C-TPAT (Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism) initiated by US Customs and Border Protection.
- In the event of trade disruption caused by security alerts, partners' exports are likely to experience minimal disruption as their security can be assured.
- The World Customs Organisation's Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade is being adopted and implemented by a large number of international Customs administrations. By joining this scheme, partners will already have in place security measures that comply with these standards.
- Reduced fees for the lodgement of all export entries.
- Customs can provide advice and assistance if you strike unexpected issues with your export goods at overseas borders.
New Zealand has a reputation as a safe and secure trading partner. As a Secure Exports Scheme partner you are contributing to a more secure international environment.
The New Zealand Customs Service applies the Green Lane-Red Lane concept to the border control of exports.
Secure Exports Scheme partners qualify for Green Lane status that provides maximum facilitation and minimum intervention.
All other exporters are in the Red Lane. This lane has high potential for intervention because security of goods cannot be assured.
Entering a Secure Exports Scheme partnership means you are responsible for securing your operations and for monitoring and maintaining an agreed level of security.
“With the help of our wool scour partners, it’s proven easy to introduce new measures and comply with the Secure Exports Scheme. Introducing new processes is usually very difficult and time consuming but with the practical assistance and advice provided by New Zealand Customs Service staff, we were able to complete our process and documentation very quickly.” – Keith Cowan, Managing Director, H Dawson & Sons (Wool) NZ Ltd
Secure Exports Scheme partner
Under the scheme Customs is responsible for:
- Ensuring you comply with, and maintain, the agreed level of security.
- Managing your application to become a partner and providing feedback and advice on this process.
- Assisting where you have questions or concerns about your supply chain.
- Providing security assurance to your trading partners.
The following principles underpin all Secure Exports Scheme partnerships.
- The Secure Exports Scheme is voluntary.
- There will be a standard process for all businesses that participate in supply chain security.
- The Government will seek to minimise red tape and compliance costs wherever possible.
- Every business that applies to join the Secure Exports Scheme will be required to make a commitment to security measures with Government, represented by Customs.
- Participation in the scheme will be formalised in the approval supported by your Security Plan.
- The Security Plan will meet Customs guidelines for security and will incorporate existing security measures.
- In the primary sector all parties recognise that the New Zealand Food Safety Authority and MAF administer food safety standards and these contribute greatly to supply chain security.
If you want to be part of securing New Zealand’s export trade, and believe you can meet the requirements, you can apply to join the Secure Exports Scheme.
For more information or an application form, contact:
- Your nearest Customs office.
- Customs call centre 0800 4 CUSTOMS (0800 428786).
- Customs website www.customs.govt.nz; or
- see our Secure Export Scheme Facts Sheets.