Fact Sheet 17 - Deferred Payment Scheme Frequently Asked Questions

How do I obtain a copy of a deferred payment statement?
How do I find out the Duty/GST split on the deferred payment statement?
How do I reconcile incorrect debits that appear on the deferred statement?
How can I confirm an account balance?
Where can I get information for account reconciliation?
Why is there a direct debit of less than the amount specified on the statement?
What happens if I change bank accounts?
What can I do about an entry held due to insufficient credit?
Can I apply for an increase in credit limit?

How do I obtain a copy of a deferred payment statement?

Current statements will not be faxed out in duplication of those already posted. Copies of historic statements can be posted out upon receipt of a written request received on your organisation’s letterhead. Please fax your request to 09-359 6604 or post to PO Box 29, Shortland Street, Auckland 1140.

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How do I find out the Duty/GST split on the deferred payment statement?

Please phone the National Call Centre (NCC) on 0800 4 CUSTOMS (0800-428 786).

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How do I reconcile incorrect debits that appear on the deferred statement?

Please refer to your customs broker to request cancellation of the relevant entry from your account. To ensure the incorrect amount is not debited from your bank account please contact the National Credit Control Unit (NCCU) on 09-359 6360 for assistance.

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How can I confirm an account balance?

Advice concerning account balances can be obtained at any time by contacting the NCC or NCCU. Please note that the close off time for the deferred payment statement is 6:00 pm on the last day of the month. Therefore any figure obtained before that time may differ from the final figure that appears on the statement.

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Where can I get information for account reconciliation?

Please refer to your customs broker for details of any debits that appear on the deferred payment statement, or to provide you with copies of invoices/import entries referred to on the statement. If you cannot obtain this information from your broker, please contact the NCC for assistance.

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Why is there a direct debit of less than the amount specified on the statement?

These discrepancies may occur if your customs broker has requested that an entry be adjusted after the statement has been generated. The entry adjustment may raise a credit, which appears on the subsequent deferred payment statement, and is taken into account in the current direct debit run. If required, you should request details of any entry adjustments from your customs broker.

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What happens if I change bank accounts?

You must complete a new direct debit form (NZCS 615). This form is available online in the library section of the Customs website www.customs.govt.nz or contact the NCCU on 09-359 6360. Send the completed original direct debit form to:

National Credit Control Unit, New Zealand Customs Service

• By courier – Level 8, 50 Anzac Avenue, Auckland 1010.
• By post – PO Box 29, Shortland Street, Auckland 1140.

Please note that the banking system will only accept original direct debit forms bearing authorised signatures. Any completed forms that are emailed or faxed will be rejected.

Note:
To allow sufficient lead time for the changes to be processed by the NCCU and the bank, the completed form must be received by the NCCU at least 10 working days before the direct debit is due to run.

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What can I do about an entry held due to insufficient credit?

Customs’ database will automatically process an import entry that exceeds the credit limit by no more than 10 percent. If an entry does exceed the credit limit by more than 10 percent, it will automatically be rejected. There are two ways in which a rejected entry could be entered for processing;

• Upon re-lodgement, the payment status of the entry is changed to cash and processed. However, delivery would not occur until payment is received.
• A cheque of sufficient value to enable the entry to be processed must be delivered to the NCCU crediting to the relevant deferred payment account.

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Can I apply for an increase in credit limit?

Applications must be in writing and can be faxed to 09-359 6604 or emailed to creditlimit@customs.govt.nz. Customs will contact you if evidence of your organisation’s current financial position is required.

For queries or comments concerning any of the above, Phone: 09-359 6360, Email: creditlimit@customs.govt.nz, or Fax: 09-359 6604.

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Back to Fact Sheet 17