NZ Customs Release Issue 711

Accredited exporters can benefit from quicker connections to Japan, with Customs' Secure Exports Scheme opening up to air freight from today (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.

On June 20 2023, our Detector Dog Unit celebrated 50 years since the first Customs detector dogs started in New Zealand. 

Customs Officers Geoffrey Wellborne and Bill Treliving were appointed to the roles, with Geoffrey assigned detector dog Jess and Bill assigned Prince. 

They began training at the Police Dog Training Centre a few days later and became operational in March 1974. Both dog teams were initially based in Wellington attached to the waterfront team with a focus on screening vessels. In the early days, dogs didn't get deployed to airports. 

The PEFML levy will increase on 1 July 2023 to 0.72 cents per litre (an increase from the existing rate of 0.65 cents per litre).

The levy applies to petroleum or engine fuel that is specified in the Excise and Excise-equivalent Duties Table as:

- motor spirit
- diesel
- biodiesel
- ethyl alcohol (under the heading Fuels in Part A or B of the Table).

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.

The temporary reduction of excise and excise-equivalent duty rate on motor spirits was extended until 30 June 2023.

Motor spirit excise and excise-equivalent duty will increase 25 cents on 1 July 2023, a return to the full rate (70.024 cents per litre plus 8¢ per g of Pb).

If you wish to see the relevant legislation, the Order in Council has been gazetted and published on Customs website.

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.