Fact Sheet 7 - Questions 15 to 16

What are duty concessions?
How do I apply for a duty concession?

What are duty concessions?

Duty concessions allow goods for which suitable alternatives are not produced by New Zealand manufacturers to be imported free of Customs duty. A consolidated list of current duty concessions, covering a wide range of goods, is published by Customs on behalf of the Ministry of Economic Development (MED), which is responsible for the administration of the concession system. Concessions are generally available for use by any importer.

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How do I apply for a duty concession?

Applications for duty concessions must be made on an approved form which is available from Customs offices or from MED. The completed application form must be sent by mail to the Ministry of Economic Development, Box 1473, Wellington 6140, New Zealand and must be accompanied by an application fee. Where MED is satisfied that an application complies with certain core criteria, a concession can be approved.

Applications must be accompanied by a supporting statement which must include:
 

• The purpose and function of the goods.
• Illustrations, brochures, or other literature which describes the goods.
• Written evidence of inquiries made to ascertain whether similar goods are or could be made in New Zealand.
• Reasons which rule out the use of New Zealand manufactured goods.

   

Applications for duty concessions are advertised in the New Zealand Gazette to provide local manufacturers an opportunity to object to the granting of a concession if they consider they are producing or are capable of producing a suitable alternative to the goods covered by the application. When a duty concession is approved, it is normally effective from the first day of the month in which the application is received by MED. For further information, contact the Executive Officer, Tariff Concessions, Ministry of Economic Development, Box 1473, Wellington 6140, New Zealand.

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