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Fact Sheet 11 - Registration of Users for Customs Computerised Entry Processing System

This Fact Sheet is provided to inform Customs EDI clients how to become a registered user of the Customs Computerised Entry Processing System.

Under Section 131 of the Customs and Excise Act 1996, all clients who wish to become users of the Customs Computerised Entry Processing System are required to be registered.

Set up prior to registration
How do I become registered?
About Unique User Identifiers (UUIs)
Responsibilities for clients using a UUI
Cancelling a UUI
Enquiries
Set up prior to registration
It is the responsibility of the applicant to:

  • meet the Customs hardware and software compatibility requirements – these should be discussed with ECN, who can be contacted on 0800-692 878 or email help@ECNgroup.co.nz; and
  • provide their own hardware and software, and pay for the EDI link and any associated costs.
  • The applicant will be required to develop or purchase EDI software, which contains the features necessary to transmit CUSDEC messages and receive CUSRES responses.

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How do I become registered?

  • Complete the application form, Regulation Form 9 (a copy is included on pages 3 and 4).
  • This form should then be delivered in person to your nearest Customs office.
  • Applicants will also need to provide an original birth certificate and one other form of photo identification e.g., passport, or NZ driver’s licence. If the application is in a name different to that on the identity documents, the applicant will be required to provide evidence of a legal change of name, e.g., a marriage certificate or deed poll of name change. The applicant will need to provide translations by a service approved by Customs for any documents not written in English.
  • Applicants may provide certificates of completion of approved courses as evidence of their competence to use the Customs Computerised Entry Processing System. Otherwise, they will need to be assessed by a Customs Officer and should contact their nearest Customs Client Services section to undertake this process. Customs may set conditions of use for the applicant.

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About Unique User Identifiers (UUIs)
The successful applicant will be advised of their registration and supplied with a Unique User Identifier (UUI) by mail shortly after application.

The identifier is to be used in the same way as the more commonly known Personal Identification Number (PIN).

The UUI identifies the person lodging any electronic entry and is considered to be an electronic signature. When compiling an electronic entry, declarants will insert their UUI as a signature prior to the entry being transmitted to Customs. The identifier is considered to be sufficient evidence that the declarant has transmitted that information.

The characteristics of UUIs: 

  • Each UUI is unique to a declarant, so several people in a company will each have their own UUI.
  • UUIs are automatically created by the Customs computer.
  • UUIs are confidential to the individual. Customs staff do not have access to individual UUIs.
  • UUIs may be transportable when individuals move from business to business.

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Responsibilities for clients using a UUI
Each Customs client using a UUI will undertake to:

  • keep their UUI confidential to themselves
  • use only their UUI for lodging their entries
  • accept legal responsibility for all entries lodged using their UUI
  • take all reasonable precautions to ensure no one else can find out or knows their UUI
  • advise Customs National Call Centre of any change in the details provided on their Regulation Form 9 application by submitting a signed and completed NZCS Form 229 (Customs Computerised Entry Processing System Registered User Update) to the National Call Centre, New Zealand Customs Service, PO Box 29, Shortland Street, Auckland 1140
  • advise the National Call Centre on 0800-428 786 (0800 4 CUSTOMS) immediately if they consider that their UUI number has been compromised
  • advise the National Call Centre if they wish to cease using their UUI for lodging entries.


Under Section 184 of the Customs and Excise Act 1996, it is an offence to fail to comply with any condition imposed on the use of the UUI, or to make use of another individual’s UUI.

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Cancelling a UUI
Where a declarant feels that the security of their UUI has been compromised, or it has been misplaced or forgotten, they should immediately contact the National Call Centre, freephone 0800-428 786 (0800 4 CUSTOMS), or email feedback@customs.govt.nz, to have their current UUI cancelled and a subsequent UUI generated.

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Enquiries
Enquiries regarding an application for a UUI should be directed to your nearest Customs Client Services section.

For further information, contact your nearest office of the New Zealand Customs Service, visit the Customs website www.customs.govt.nz, or call Customs on 0800-428 786 (0800 4 CUSTOMS).

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