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Goods Fees – 2026 changes

Fees and levies that New Zealand Customs Service (Customs) and Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) charge for goods management will be changing from 1 April 2026. These changes aim to ensure fairer cost recovery and better reflect the true cost of border management.

From 1 April 2026, existing Customs goods fees will be replaced by levies.

Please read the packs below that relate to your industry. These will help you prepare for the changes from 1 April 2026.

Downloadable PDF industry packs  

You can share these packs with your teams and any interested associates. 

Change # 1 – Low Value Goods levy

Moving to consignment-based charging for low-value goods.

This pack is for low-value goods importers and exporters.

# 1 - Low value goods levy information pack (PDF, 750 KB)

Change # 2 – Empty Container Levy (Sea)

Introducing a levy for empty shipping containers.

This pack is for shipping lines or anyone who imports empty shipping containers into New Zealand for the movement of international cargo. 

# 2 - Empty container levy information pack (PDF, 737 KB)

Change # 3 – Charging International Transhipments

Introducing a levy for international transhipment requests.

This pack is for freight forwarders or anyone who submits an International Transhipment Request for goods that arrive in New Zealand where the final destination is not New Zealand and the goods are removed from the arriving craft before leaving New Zealand. 

# 3 - Charging International Transhipments Levy information pack (PDF, 756 KB)

Change # 4 – High Value Goods

Moving to differential levy rates for high-value sea and air import and export cargo.

This pack is for high-value goods importers and exporters via Air and Sea, or Secure Exports Scheme (SES) members.

# 4 – High Value Goods information pack (PDF, 725 KB)

Change # 5a – Import UPU Mail (Air)

Introducing a levy for import UPU (Universal Postal Union) mail.

This pack is for owners and operators of aircraft carrying Import UPU mail.

# 5a – Import UPU Mail (Air) information pack (PDF, 855 KB)

Change # 5b – Import UPU Mail (Sea)

Introducing a levy for import UPU (Universal Postal Union) mail.

This pack is for owners and operators of seacraft carrying Import UPU mail.

# 5b – Import UPU Mail (Sea) information pack (PDF, 825 KB)

Change # 6 – Commercial Vessel Levy

Introducing a Commercial Vessel Levy.

This pack is for owners or operators, or the agents of owners or operators, of commercial vessels arriving in New Zealand.

# 6 – Commercial Vessel Levy information pack (PDF, 769 KB)

Additional information and support

You are welcome to join our online Teams sessions where we talk through the changes in more detail. Email us to find out which date is most relevant to you. If you have an invite, you are welcome to forward it to anyone else who may be interested in attending.

For any questions, or requests to join an online session, please email Trade.Programme@customs.govt.nz

More goods fees information

  • Goods fees and hourly rate – provides detailed breakdowns of fees before and after 1 July 2025 and outlines the transition to levies.
  • Goods clearance fees review – includes tables comparing current goods fees with the new levy structure effective from 1 April 2026.
  • Notice announcing fee changes – summarises the structure and rates of Customs and MPI’s fees and levies that will change from 1 April 2026. Includes the consultation document and public submissions.