Secure Exports Scheme
Helping you do business
Securing international supply chains is vital for New Zealand's export-driven economy.
The New Zealand Customs Service has an important role in keeping trade flowing and in helping ensure prompt trade recovery in times of global crisis.
The Secure Exports Scheme (SES) is designed to give New Zealand exporters greater certainty at international borders by minimising the risk of delays from Customs intervention by giving them priority in trade recovery situations.
A large number of businesses exporting from New Zealand have already joined the SES as partners.
The enhanced security assurances that the SES gives their shipments means increased certainty about the movement of their goods, especially to and through the countries with which New Zealand Customs has mutual recognition arrangements (MRAs).
In consultation with Customs, SES partners put measures in place that protect their goods against tampering, sabotage, or smuggling, from the point of packing to delivery to the port.
This commitment ensures containers are secured with a Customs-approved seal or marking. This signals that it is under Customs control and can be considered secure by overseas customs administrations.
SES partners make a commitment to ensure that all contents of a container are secure and accurately reported at the place of packing, and that nothing else has been added.
This extra assurance generally means that SES partners require substantially less Customs intervention in their export activities.
Customs’ responsibilities
Under the SES, Customs is responsible for:
- 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
- ensuring you comply with, and maintain, the agreed level of security
- providing security assurance to your trading partners.
The principles
The following principles underpin all SES partnerships.
- The SES is voluntary.
- There is 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 SES will be required to make a commitment to security measures.
- You will need to have a security plan that meets Customs minimum standards for security. The plan can incorporate existing security measures that enhance these standards (Refer Fact Sheet 34A – Secure Exports Scheme).
- Your participation in the SES will be formalised once your security plan has been approved by Customs.
- In the primary sector all parties recognise that the food safety standards administered by the New Zealand Food Safety Authority and MAF Biosecurity New Zealand add to supply chain security.
Trade is the lifeblood of the New Zealand economy. Your exports are an important part of that and ensuring trade moves quickly and efficiently is crucial.
By becoming an SES partner you are providing us with increased assurance surrounding the security of your exports.
You will also significantly reduce the likelihood of your shipments requiring examination for security purposes.
You will demonstrate to offshore business contacts that you are committed to providing them with goods from a secure environment and in compliance with World Customs Organization standards.
The World Customs Organization’s Framework of Standards to Secure and Facilitate Global Trade is being adopted and implemented by a large number of customs administrations in other countries. By joining the SES, partners will already have in place security measures that comply with these standards.
New Zealand has a reputation as a safe and secure trading partner. As an SES partner, you are contributing to a more secure international environment.
Advantages of joining the SES include:
- reduced fees for the lodgement of all export entries
- a secure supply chain from the point of packing to delivery to the port
- the ability to demonstrate compliance with security standards when contracting to supply overseas importers that are committed to supply chain security
- enhanced border clearance privileges in MRA partner countries
- exports that are more likely to experience minimal disruption as their security is assured
- advice and assistance from New Zealand Customs if you encounter unexpected issues with your export goods at borders of countries Customs has MRAs with.
One of our SES partners is Click Clack, who joined in 2004. Click Clack designs, manufactures, and exports consumer durable products such as storage containers and tableware, to over 50 countries.
“Prior to the partnership, container inspection was as frequent as fortnightly. After becoming an approved partner, this gradually extended to monthly, then to quarterly, to what seems to be now as little as two containers per year.”
Craig Dais
Chief Executive Officer
Click Clack Limited |
Entering an SES partnership means you are responsible for securing your logistical operations and for monitoring and maintaining an agreed level of security and data integrity.
Our expectations of partners are simple:
- Accurate advance export information
- The agreed level of security is maintained
- Working together in partnership for a ‘no surprises’ environment.
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 SES.
A set of fact sheets are available to assist you with this process.
Fact Sheet 34 – Secure Exports Scheme
Fact Sheet 34A – Secure Exports Scheme Security Plan
Fact Sheet 34B – Secure Exports Scheme Process Map
Fact Sheet 34C – Secure Exports Scheme Site Plan
Fact Sheet 34D – Secure Exports Scheme Transport Operators
For more information contact your nearest Customs office or contact the Customs call centre on 0800 4 CUSTOMS (0800 428 786).
For a PDF copy of the SES brochure please click here. For a hard copy of the SES brochure, contact the National Call Centre.