What We Do

The New Zealand Customs Service (Customs) is the government agency with the job of protecting the community from potential risks arising from international trade and travel, while facilitating the legitimate movement of people and goods across the border. Our Maori name - Te Mana Arai o Aotearoa - translates as the authority that screens and protects New Zealand.

We do this by:

• intercepting contraband (such as illegal drugs)
• checking travellers and their baggage, cargo and mail
• assessing and collecting Customs duties, excise taxes and Goods and Services Tax (GST) on imports
• protecting New Zealand businesses against illegal trade
• enforcing import and export restrictions and prohibitions
  collecting accurate import and export data.

As New Zealand’s gatekeepers, we use intelligence and risk assessment to target our physical checks of containers, vessels or travellers. We also conduct investigations and audits, and prosecute offenders.

We work closely with the other border agencies, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Quarantine Service and the Immigration Service.