SES is an internationally recognised programme that certifies New Zealand exporters who meet Customs secure supply chain expectations.

SES is a World Customs Organization (WCO) Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) Programme. 

The WCO AEO programme focuses on three areas, which underpin the SES:

  • Collaboration between businesses and customs administrations to increase supply chain security and safety
  • Cooperation among customs administrations to increase security and facilitate trade
  • Customs authorities and Other-Government and Inter-Government Agencies working together to harmonise and standise security requirements.
What the SES is

The Secure Exports Scheme (SES) is designed to make business easier by helping New Zealand’s exporters clear customs both here and overseas. Exporters joining the scheme need to ensure their goods are packed, stored, and transported in a way that meets global customs standards.

Supply chain security and the facilitation of low-risk goods across international borders is a key part of international trade. For Customs, the SES means we have confidence in the security of the supply chain. For exporters and their customers, it means less chance of border delays and greater certainty at international borders.

New Zealand’s SES is aligned with the World Customs Organization (WCO) Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) programme.

Different versions of this AEO programme exist around the world, managed by the customs agencies of those countries.

Customs launched our programme in 2004. The SES is focused on exports, while some of our partner countries have both import and export schemes.

Examples of overseas AEO schemes include:

The SES provides assurance to the customs agencies of overseas countries that our partners have a secure supply chain, which means they can trust the shipments of SES goods coming into their countries.

More information and details on the WCO framework and what an AEO programme can be found on the AEO | Home (wcoomd.org) website.

Types of businesses that can join the SES

Exporters: It does not matter if you physically pack the goods yourself or organise someone to pack goods on your behalf.

Loading sites: If your business packs and loads goods on behalf of another business who wants to be in the SES scheme, you will need to become a Secure Load Site (SLS).

Transport operator: If your business transports shipping containers of export goods, you are eligible to become an accredited transport partner. As with secure load sites, for an export business to become a partner they need transport providers to also be approved, as they are a critical part of the supply chain.

Becoming an exporter

If your business is not currently exporting goods but intends to start soon, there are some key things to consider that will help your entry into the Secure Exports Scheme (SES) when appropriate.

The Ministry of Foreign affairs has some general exporting resources to get you started. New Zealand Trade and Enterprise also has resources to assist you in becoming an exporter. There are also customs requirements that you will need to meet when you start exporting.

Key SES considerations if you are setting up an export business:

  • Access to your site should be controlled. This means the public should not have access to where you pack and load goods.
  • Ideally, as you load goods into a container or package, they will be recorded electronically by scanning a barcode or other automatic system as you will need to ensure accurate records are kept.
  • Encourage a culture of security awareness, such as challenging unknown people in secure areas, not sharing access codes, and being proactive when something suspicious is spotted.
  • Putting in place good digital security practices, for example having individual logins making sure the security systems are up to date.
  • Maintaining a record of training that your staff receive.

These are some of the key things that you can start to put in place now to prepare for becoming an SES exporter in the future. For more information, read the full standards.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss your specific circumstances, please contact us at ses@customs.govt.nz.

International recognition

The Secure Exports Scheme is recognised as meeting international supply-chain security standards set by the World Customs Organization. It achieves international recognition through Mutual Recognition Arrangements (MRAs) between customs administrations of different countries and economies with similar supply chain security standards.

In the countries and territories we have MRAs with, goods from New Zealand's SES partners are seen as a low security risk and can receive fast-tracked customs processing through their borders.

Customs currently has MRAs with:

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • Hong Kong
  • India
  • Japan
  • the Republic of Korea
  • Malaysia
  • Singapore
  • Taiwan
  • Thailand
  • the United Kingdom
  • the United States of America.

SES exporters are 3.5 times less likely than other traders to have their goods examined for security purposes by United States Customs and Border Protection, and seven times less likely to be examined when entering China.

Expanding MRAs

Customs is working on MRAs with additional countries to benefit more exporters. India and Malaysia were added in 2025.

Customs arranges new MRAs by assessing the AEO scheme of the other country, what their security standards are, and how their scheme operates.

If their security standards are generally on the same level as ours, we agree to work together collaboratively to create an MRA.

This means that countries with MRAs are working together to have similar security standards and a more secure supply chain. 

When a new MRA is signed 

When an MRA is signed with a new country, Customs works to finalise how our SES partners will get the facilitation benefits. We will notify our partners of the changes and the specific details needed to get those benefits. 

Current SES members

Resources, information and guidance for existing Secure Exports Scheme partners
Not yet an SES member

You can apply to become an SES member if you meet the scheme requirements.
SES Resources

Guides, tools and templates to assist in your Secure Exports Scheme journey