Customs collects and uses personal information through a variety of channels and applications, for a number of differing purposes.

As required by the Privacy Act 2020 and to ensure we're transparent with you and where we collect personal information, we provide a statement telling you why we're collecting the information and what we use that information for.

Below is a list of some key Customs privacy statements.

General
  • Customs General Privacy Statement - This tells you how Customs collects, stores, safeguards, uses and shares personal information in our work generally. It also outlines your rights to view and correct your own personal information. It applies to most activities Customs performs in its work to manage the movement of people, goods and craft across the New Zealand border.
  • Website Privacy Statement - This privacy notice applies to personal information collected by us through the use of this website (customs.govt.nz) in accordance with the New Zealand Government Web Usability Standard 1.4
  • Border Protect - This statement describes how Customs will use information when you submit a report of suspicious activity to Border Protect.
Trade related
  • Trade Single Window - The privacy statement applying to use of the Trade Single Window portal is available in the bottom-right corner of the portal's login page.
Travel related
  • New Zealand Traveller Declaration - The privacy information on this page applies to:
    • personal information collected through the New Zealand Paper Arrival Card
    • information collected digitally via the New Zealand Traveller Declaration
    • information collected via the travellerdeclaration.govt.nz website.  
  • eGates - This outlines how Customs, Biosecurity and Immigration officials will use the information you provide when you use eGate.
CCTV privacy notice

Purpose of CCTV use by Customs

Customs’ core functions are empowered by the Customs and Excise Act 2018 and include:

  • Protection – Making our country safer and more secure by managing the risks associated with the international movement of goods and people.
  • Trade and Revenue – Supporting the efficient flow of trade and revenue collection as goods cross our border, and the collection of excise duty on goods produced in New Zealand.
  • Travel – Providing secure border processes that facilitate legitimate international travel and reduce associated threats.

Customs’ functions cover a broad range of activities across different sites and types of locations. Customs uses CCTV for a variety of purposes including detecting, investigating, and prosecuting border-related crime.

CCTV is also used for the purposes of deterring crime against individuals and property at Customs Places or on Customs’ premises. CCTV is used to promote staff safety and to monitor potential safety hazards.

Disclosure of CCTV footage

CCTV footage will only be disclosed by Customs in accordance with the Privacy Act 2020 or other authorising legislation, such as a search warrant issued under the Search and Surveillance Act 2012. Customs may disclose footage to Police or other agencies if it believes that disclosure is necessary to avoid prejudice to the maintenance of the law.

Requests for access to CCTV footage

Under the Privacy Act 2020, you have the right to request access to, and correction of, any information held about you by an agency. Direct requests for access to CCTV footage to crams@customs.govt.nz with:

  • your name and contact details
  • the date, time and location of the CCTV recording.

Complaints or questions

For queries or complaints about Customs’ use of CCTV, email feedback@customs.govt.nz, or you can file a complaint in writing and send to:

New Zealand Customs Service
PO Box 2218
Wellington 6140

Customs call centre - privacy information

Customs’ call centre automatically records all inbound and outbound calls.
Careers - privacy information

When applying for a career at Customs, you need to tell us about yourself to help us decide if you have the right skills for the role.