NZ Customs Release Issue 706

If you export or import goods, Customs is the gateway to and from New Zealand for your products. 

Join this webinar to learn first-hand from experts about how to make things easier for your business in the short and long term. 

New Zealand's free trade agreement (FTA) with the United Kingdom will enter into force on 31 May 2023.

The agreement is expected to contribute between $700 million and $1 billion to New Zealand's GDP and to boost New Zealand's goods exports to the UK by over 50 percent.

Customs was involved to ensure that Customs procedures are efficient, consistent, and transparent, making it easier for businesses to make use of preferential access.

Customs was pleased to welcome a delegation from the United States Department of Homeland Security to sign a Memorandum of Cooperation at Auckland Customhouse on Friday 5 May.

The Memorandum of Cooperation strengthens the partnership between our agencies, building on operational collaboration and the trusted exchange of intelligence. This is a vital relationship in our work to disrupt transnational organised crime and prevent harm from reaching New Zealand's border.

We look forward to our continuing partnership.

Customs has carried out a review of broker and client deferred accounts that have been inactive for two or more years.

On 29 May 2023 these inactive accounts will be cancelled. 

Account holders that are affected can contact the team for further information by emailing revenue@customs.govt.nz.

Importers and their agents should note that the Arms Amendment Regulations, which enable the Firearms Registry, were released 11 May 2023. These provide details on how the Firearms Registry will work, what needs to be registered and when registration needs to happen.

From 24 June 2023 firearms licence holders must record  information about any firearms, restricted weapons, major firearm parts, prohibited magazines or pistol carbine kits in their possession.