NZ Customs Release Issue 710

Customs, in joint international operations with Australia and Canada, have stopped 713 kgs of methamphetamine at the New Zealand border.

This is the largest-ever methamphetamine seizure in New Zealand, surpassing the previous record (set just a year ago) by around kgs kilograms.

In praising the work by those involved, Customs and Police senior leaders note their agencies are seeing an increase in large-scale drug smuggling attempts by international organised crime groups targeting New Zealand and the wider Pacific region.

Customs has arrested three Malaysian nationals for their involvement in smuggling nearly 500,000 cigarettes into New Zealand, evading approximately $675,000 in tobacco taxes.

The two men and one woman appeared in the North Shore District Court yesterday. They are charged with defrauding Customs' revenue, importing prohibited goods, and making erroneous Customs entries.

Customs began its investigation following contact from a New Zealand company who discovered via their Customs Broker that their address had been used on import documents without their prior knowledge.

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.

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 suppliers of products subject to the Product Safety Standard (Sunscreen) Act 2022 are reminded of requirements that came into effect on 8 September 2022.

From 8 September 2023, all sunscreen products, regardless of the date of manufacture or import, must comply with the Sunscreen (Product Safety Standard) Act 2022 which sets AS/NZ 2604:2012 as the product safety standard.

The new standard includes rules to ensure sunscreen products go through consistent and internationally recognised performance testing, and requirements about how SPF ratings and user instructions are presented on the product. This requirement applies to sunscreens, and insect repellents and skin care products making SPF claims.
 

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.