The Customs On-line Declarations website is designed for regular exporters who have sufficient knowledge of Customs requirements to clear their own exports with Customs. Clearance via the internet is generally more economical for lower-frequency exporters than installing EDI software. The entries that can be submitted via this site are a legal declaration under the Customs and Excise Act 1996. Among other offences under the Act, it is an offence to make an erroneous entry or declaration. Administrative Penalties may be applied, or prosecution action taken.
If you are unfamiliar with how to determine the tariff classification, Customs valuation or permit requirements for the goods you export, Customs suggests you engage your freight forwarder or a Customs broker to lodge import clearances on your behalf.
Customs brokers and freight forwarders are listed in New Zealand business directories under those headings. A list of brokers affiliated to the Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Association (CBAFF) is also available at www.cbaff.org.nz (non Government website).
Alternatively, you can email CBAFF at freighttrain@cbaff.org.nz about training programmes you can attend to equip yourself to lodge your own entries.
Registration
Before you can use the Customs On-line Declarations website:
(1) You must have a Customs Client Code for the exporter in whose name the entries will be lodged, and an additional client code for your company only if you are a broker/agent for the exporter.
(2) Each person who is going to lodge clearances via the website must be individually approved with Customs as a registered user of the entry processing system. To become a registered user:
You will be advised of your registration by mail and supplied with a Customs declarant code that is to be inserted on clearances, and a unique user identifier (UUI) with the following conditions for use:
- the identifier is to be used in the same way as a Personal Identification Number (PIN) when you log onto the Customs On-line Declarations website
- the UUI identifies the person responsible for lodging an electronic entry and is considered to be the electronic signature
- a Customs declarant (individual) may only have one current UUI
- the UUI is issued to an individual and all reasonable precautions should be taken to keep the UUI confidential
- UUIs may be transferable when individuals move from business to business
(3) You or your employer must be set up with ECN to handle your electronic transmissions. The Electronic Commerce Network (ECN) is a company contracted by Customs to manage the On-line Declarations website and to carry electronic declarations and responses between the website and the Customs processing system. After you have obtained a Customs client code and registered user code, you must set up with ECN.
Charges
There is no charge to register with Customs or ECN. However, once you start using the site, ECN will charge your company for the clearances you submit.