NZ Customs Release 629

Customs has reviewed how Border Cash Reports (BCR) are processed, to ensure that individuals and financial institutions comply with anti-money laundering and countering financing of terrorism legislation. 

Customs has determined that the intent of the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009 is for the beneficial owner to complete and submit the BCR form to Customs. 

A representative of the individual or the company that owns the unaccompanied cash, cheque or other bearer negotiable instruments must complete a BCR. 
They are also responsible for forwarding the BCR report to their broker/customs agent to be attached to the related trade entry. Cash, cheques or other BNI moved through any other means are also required to have a BCR submitted.

From 1 October 2021, Customs will no longer accept BCR forms completed by cash transporters moving cash on behalf of their client. 

From 01 October 2021, all importers of water pipe tobacco, also known as molasses tobacco, fruit tobacco, shisha, sheesha and other names (Tariff item 2403.11) will need to provide evidence of the products tobacco content for duty calculation purposes. 

The information should be supplied at the time the import entry is lodged and will be required before release is approved. We strongly encourage importers to source this information before shipping to New Zealand. 

New Zealand Customs may also choose to verify this information directly with the manufacturer of the product.

New border processing levy rates from 1 December 2021 are intended to fully recover the cost of Customs' and MPI's border processing services over the next levy period, and technical changes will improve the management of the levies.

Importers and exporters are advised of the continuation of controls on a range of goods. These controls were formerly in the Customs Import Prohibition Order 2017 and the Customs Export Prohibition Order 2017, and the Customs Import Prohibition (Trout) Order 2018.

From 1 October 2021, these goods continue to be regulated, but under the following prohibition orders:
- Vehicles with no or inaccurate odometer
- Scheduled offensive weapons
- Pounamu
- Strategic goods     
- From 30 September 2021, the import of trout is regulated under the Customs Import Prohibition (Trout) Order 2021.

The Cabinet paper detailing the decisions to continue these import and export controls can be found here five-customs-prohibition-orders.pdf.