Glossary

• electronically lodged entries processed within 30 minutes
• manually lodged entries processed within 24 hours.

​These are levies imposed under the Alcoholic Liquor Advisory Council Act 1976. Customs collects them on behalf of ALAC, a Government agency whose aim is to encourage responsible attitudes to alcohol. Levies are based on alcohol content. Drinks with a higher volume of alcohol contribute a higher proportion to the levy. New rates come into effect every 1 July. Find our more on the ALAC website.

http://www.alac.org.nz/Home.aspx

​These are levies imposed under the Alcoholic Liquor Advisory Council Act 1976. Customs collects them on behalf of ALAC, a Government agency whose aim is to encourage responsible attitudes to alcohol. Levies are based on alcohol content. Drinks with a higher volume of alcohol contribute a higher proportion to the levy. New rates come into effect every 1 July. Find our more on the ALAC website. http://www.alac.org.nz/Home.aspx

​These are notifications about people, goods or craft who are suspected of border or revenue transgressions.

​A charge or tax imposed to offset any advantage or gain that might come from dumping imported goods in New Zealand. Customs collects anti-dumping duties on behalf of the Ministry of Economic Development.

​Australia New Zealand Closer Economic Relations Trade Agreement. A bilateralreciprocal free trade agreement also known as CER.

​The Agreement between New Zealand and Singapore on a Closer Economic Partnership.

​Asia Pacific Economic Co-operation. A trade grouping of countries on the Pacific Rim that includes the USA and Japan.

​Advance Passenger Information.

​The following best practice credit management procedures are followed by Customs:

• potential deferred payment clients will be advised of the terms and conditions of the Service's deferred payment scheme
• regular credit assessments of all deferred payment account holders will be undertaken
• clients with overdue payments will be followed up
• bad debts will be pursued.

​An agreement or arrangement between two parties or countries eg, ANZCERTA with Australia, ANZSCEP with Singapore.

​The use of complicated algorithmic equations to identify people. By electronically analysing an actual person’s facial features, including eyes and face shape, and comparing them with the corresponding digital information encoded in that individual’s passport, this system can make a 100% accurate match. It is used in SmartGate technology at airports.

​The border sector is the name given to the five core government agencies – and associated agencies – collectively responsible for operations at New Zealand’s borders.

​Customs-approved area for storing exports.

Customs Controlled Area. Refer CCA.

​Chief Customs Officer.

​Documentation needed by commercial aircraft or ships as they leave New Zealand. The information includes details of departure, crew, passengers and cargo.

​Cost Insurance Freight. The valuation method used for the calculation of duty and GST.

​Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

​A unique identification number for importers, exporters and manufacturers. Client codes are only issued to New Zealand entities, such as registered New Zealand companies. The codes are required where import and export shipments are valued in excess of NZ$1,000.

​Coastwatch is a nationally coordinated, 24 hour hotline to Customs which you can use to report any suspicious border activity to Customs. Call Coastwatch on 0800 4 CUSTOMS (0800 428 786).

​Following an alert, goods will be checked by Customs to ensure their compliance with import and export regulations. All inspections, whether the goods are held or cleared, are registered as compliance checks.

​A contractor’s note containing delivery instructions for a driver.

​A concession is granted when Customs duty is reduced or removed from goods that would normally be subject to it. Some goods may be admitted free of GST as well.