NZ Customs Release Issue 709

Officials from the Thai Office of Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) were welcomed by Customs at Te Manukanuka o Hoturoa Marae at Auckland Airport this week. 

Co-hosted by Customs and Police, the focus of the visit was on illicit drug smuggling including prevention, intelligence and detection. The delegation's itinerary included Customs sites in Auckland and Wellington, including Auckland International Airport and meeting with Customs' Detector Dog Unit.

This was an opportunity to strengthen a key bilateral relationship and support ongoing work to combat the illicit transnational narcotics trade in the Asia-Pacific region.

Accredited exporters can soon benefit from quicker connections to Japan, with Customs' Secure Exports Scheme opening up to air freight from 23 June 2023.  
 
The Secure Exports Scheme is designed to help businesses become trusted traders, reduce red tape, improve certainty in key export markets and speed up cargo into and out of New Zealand. 
 
Craig Chitty, Customs' Group Manager Revenue and Assurance, said the arrangement with Japan was previously only available for sea cargo exports. 
 
"This move opens the door for fresh produce and perishable goods exporters looking to get their products to Japan securely and quickly. Customs is pleased we can contribute to the supply chain security and success of accredited New Zealand businesses which rely on air freight for faster connections to their customers."
 
Customs will be contacting Japanese Secure Exports Scheme partners directly to provide further detail.

The annual adjustment to the excise and excise-equivalent duty rates on alcoholic beverages will take effect on 1 July 2023. The annual adjustment is based on movements in the Consumer Price Index over the 12-month period ended 31 March 2023.

Changes to the Pae Ora (Healthy Futures) Alcohol Levy rates will also take effect on 1 July 2023.

Alcohol products removed from a licensed manufacturing area or imported after midnight on 30 June 2023 will be subject to the new rates.

A number of Customs clearance forms have been updated and can now be found on our website. The following forms have been updated and are dated February 2023: 218, 263, 224-A and 231.

Customs ask that brokers please replace their current forms with the up to date forms. There will be a grace period of one month and Customs will accept both old and new forms, however we strongly encourage brokerages to update their records as soon as possible.
 
Low Value Goods process: When New Zealand GST is believed to have been charged by an overseas supplier, Customs requires evidence on the invoice. The invoice should include the overseas registered supplier's GST number as well as specifying that New Zealand 15% GST has been included. If Customs is not provided with this information, GST will be charged at the border. If the importer believes they have already paid GST to the supplier, and therefore requires a refund, they must contact the supplier directly.

Exporters and their agents are reminded that the 'importer' field on Trade Single Window (TSW) is to be completed with the details of the overseas consignee in the country where the goods are physically destined.

The 'importer' field is not to be completed with the details from the invoice unless the goods are physically being consigned to invoiced entity in the country of destination. 

Example:
- Goods sold by exporter Company A to Company B, in Country B.
- The goods are being shipped by the exporter Company A to Company C in Country C.
- The 'importer' field on TSW is to contain Company C details in Country C.  

Importers and their agents are reminded that a range of transmitting products and equipment are prohibited imports. Importers of such devices should familiarise themselves with the list of prohibited equipment. 

For a list of items covered, use the link below. 

If you are unsure or have any questions about a product you are looking to import, you can email Radio Spectrum Management, a business unit within the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (info@rsm.govt.nz) before you purchase the goods. 

From 3 July 2023, a Domestic Transhipment Request (DTR) will be required to move uncleared sea-freight from one approved facility (CCA/TF) to another approved facility. An approved facility is a Customs Controlled Area (CCA) and Transitional Facility (TF).

This change is part of a three-phase pilot with Ministry for Primary Industries.

Further information about these changes, requirements, what you may need to do, and training is available on Customs' website.