Important notices

Find updates to regulations, notes on revisions to forms and documents, and info on what’s new and what’s happening.

Changes to the Arms Act 1983

Most semi-automatic firearms became prohibited firearms on 12 April 2019.

Valuation Rulings: creating more certainty for commercial importers

Interacting with Customs is part of day-to-day business for commercial importers, either directly or through service providers that manage border logistics and compliance.

Goods affected by Brown Marmorated Stink Bug

The Parsifal Voyage 841 has been infested by the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug.

Updated advice on Brown Marmorated Stink Bug invested vessels

On 16 February, we sent an Important Notice about vehicles carried on vessels infested with the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug.

New rates for tobacco and tobacco products

The annual indexation increase to excise and excise-equivalent duty rates together with a separate 10% increase will take place on 1 January 2019.

Record highs forecast this summer

Customs is ready for predicted record highs in travellers this summer.

Working Tariff Document reprint

The Working Tariff document (WTD) has been reprinted with an effective date of 30 December 2018.

Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Goods) Levy changes from 1 January 2019

There will be increases in levy rates and additional goods under the Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Goods) Levy.

Proposal to allow Customs to join AISA

Submissions are open on a proposal to allow Customs to join an Approved Information Sharing Agreement.

New excise duty rates for motor spirits from 30 September 2018

An increase of 3.5 cents per litre of motor spirit in the excise and excise-equivalent duty rates on motor spirits will take place on 30 September 2018.

New excise duty rates for motor spirits from 30 September 2018

An increase of 3.5 cents per litre of motor spirit in the excise and excise-equivalent duty rates on motor spirits will take place on 30 September 2018.

What's My Duty Mobile App removal

Please note that if you have the ‘What’s my duty?’ app downloaded on your mobile phone, it is no longer supported and will not be up-to-date.

Mid-year Passenger Survey launched

We've launched our annual passenger survey that helps us to research ways of improving service delivery at the border.

Annual Goods Survey 2018

We are launching our Annual Goods Client Survey.

Competency assessment for excise agents

Customs has developed an agent competency assessment for excise declarations, as part of an update to Trade Single Window last year.

How ready are you for the Customs and Excise Act changes?

We’re undertaking a customer readiness survey to understand whether customers are informed about the new Act changes.

New Health Promotion Agency (HPA) Levy rates for alcohol from 1 July 2018

The annual adjustment to the levy rates on alcoholic beverages will take place on 1 July 2018.

New excise duty rates for alcohol from 1 July 2018

The annual adjustment to the excise and excise-equivalent duty rates on alcoholic beverages takes place on 1 July 2018.

Strengthening supply chains and reducing delays for transTasman traders

Last week the Government announced significant new funding for Customs in Budget 2018.

Email scam alert

An email scam impersonating demanding payment is circulating - learn how to spot it

GST on imported low-value goods proposals launched

The Government has launched proposals for offshore suppliers of low-value goods to collect and return GST on those goods.

WCO3 information sessions

We are looking to hold information sessions on the WCO3 messages around the country.

Goods affected by Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs

In recent days four ships have been affected by infestations of Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs.

NZBN mandatory in TSW Registrations from 28 January

TSW users who create client codes, please note that this weekend the New Zealand Business Number (NZBN) field will become mandatory.

New rates for tobacco and tobacco products

The annual indexation increase to excise and excise-equivalent duty rates together with a separate 10% increase will take place on 1 January 2018.

WTO - ITA Concessions transferred

World Trade Organization (WTO) – Information Technology Agreement (ITA) Concessions transferred from Part 11 to Part I of the Tariff.

Customs ABC staff relocate to ACIF

Customs ABC staff relocate to ACIF on 4 December

WTO - IT Agreement Concessions being transferred

This amendment will not alter the tariff rates for these goods.

TSW administrator function now available to all

The Administrator of Organisation function is available to any organisation that wishes to use it.

New mandatory date proposed for WCO3 messages

1 July 2018 is the proposed mandatory date for using the main cargo reporting and clearance messages.

Changes to Customs forms

Customs (Excisable Goods Entry) Amendment Rules 2017 – summary of changes

Barriers to trade: Non-tariff barriers

Trade barriers that favour local suppliers are called non-tariff barriers.

Annual Goods Survey 2017

New Zealand Customs Service is launching its Annual Goods Client Survey.

Fuels: Increase in PEFML 1 July 2017

The PEFML levy will increase on 1 July 2017 to 0.3 cents per litre.

New HPA Levy rates for alcohol

The annual adjustment to the levy rates on alcoholic beverages will take place on 1 July 2017.

New excise duty rates for alcohol from 1 July 2017

The annual adjustment to the excise and excise-equivalent duty rates on alcohol will be on 1 July.

Sending Certificate of Origin data to China

In December 2016, NZ Customs and China Customs launched the Joint Electronic Verification System.

JBMS Release 10 outage 7–8 April 2017

Goods considered for Trust delivery during the period of the R10 outage must fall under the following criteria

Rules of Origin — 2017 versions now published

New regulations have been made to update the Product Specific Rules (PSRs).

Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Goods) Levy rate changes

New levy rates will apply to the Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Goods) Levy on 1 January 2017.

New excise duties rates for tobacco and tobacco products

The annual indexation increase to duty rates together and separate increase will take place on 1 January.

Advice for licensed manufacturing areas affected by earthquake

Customs is aware the earthquake may have caused damage or loss for licensed manufacturers of alcohol.

Upcoming Regulation changes to streamline alcohol excise

Customs has been working with representatives from the alcohol industry on changes to the excise system.

Certificate of Origin data for export entries to China

On 1 October 2016, a change to the Customs Export Entry Rules 1997 will come into effect.

Annual Goods Survey 2016

New Zealand Customs Service is launching its annual goods client survey.

Low value imports – update and next steps

Imports of low-value goods (under $1000) have been growing steadily and is expected to continue.

Tariff classification of men’s swimwear made from woven fabric

Customs has considered the Tariff Classification of men’s swimwear made from woven textile materials.

New excise duty rates for alcohol from 1 July 2016

The annual adjustment to the excise and excise-equivalent duty rates on alcohol occurs on 1 July 2016.

New HPA Levy rates for alcohol from 1 July 2016

The annual adjustment to the levy rates on alcoholic beverages will take place on 1 July 2016.

FUELS: Increase in the Petroleum or Engine Fuel Monitoring Levy (PEFML) on 1 July 2016

The PEFML levy will increase on 1 July 2016 to 0.2 cents per litre.

Application of the Part 2 reference 75 concession (Presents or gifts)

This allows entry of gifts except tobacco products sent from abroad to a resident in New Zealand.

Tariff changes from 1 October 2017

Customs has received some queries about concessions and Tariff changes which took effect from 1 October 2017.