What you need to know
You'll be handed or posted an Infringement Notice that details the offence(s) you have committed, and your options. From here, you can do one of the following:
- pay the fee
- request the infringement notice be revoked
- request a hearing in court.
Option 1: Pay the infringement
You can either pay immediately, or pay within 28 days.
Pay immediately by one of the following:
- Visa or MasterCard (a convenience 1.9% fee applies)
- $NZ cash or EFTPOS at a New Zealand international airport (Note: this is only available at the time you arrive at an international airport).
Pay within 28 days of being issued the infringement notice or receiving a reminder notice by one of the following:
- Visa or MasterCard (a convenience 1.9% fee applies)
- Internet banking to 03-0049-0000706-26. Use the Infringement Notice number in the particulars field and leave the other fields blank.
Note: Customs does not accept payment plans for infringement notice fees.
Option 2: Request your fine be revoked
You can request that the infringement notice be revoked if you think that:
- no offence has been committed
- you are not the person who committed the offence
- you have a reasonable excuse for why the offence was committed.
An Infringement Notice cannot be revoked if you have paid it.
You must provide information in writing to Customs to support your request. You must make your submission within 28 days of the date on the Infringement Notice.
- Use Form NZCS 395: Application to request revocation (Doc, 263 KB) to request your fine be waived.
- Include your name (as shown on the Infringement Notice) and the Infringement Notice number.
- Include any supporting evidence in your submission that you want taken into consideration.
The Infringement Notice will be reviewed by an officer not involved in issuing it. We'll inform you of the outcome of your request.
If your request is unsuccessful, you can either pay or request a hearing.
Option 3: Request a court hearing
Note: If you have paid your Infringement Notice you cannot seek a court hearing.
You can request a hearing if either of the following apply:
- You believe there is enough doubt that the offence was committed.
- You admit liability and want the court to consider whether you should pay the full amount of the fine.
Use Form NZCS 396: Application for an Infringement Notice Hearing (DOC, 929 KB) to request a hearing.
You must provide your submission within 28 days of the date on the reminder notice.