NZ Customs Release Issue 712

A Police and Customs operation across Auckland has uncovered an alleged drug importation and money laundering operation valued at more than $60 million.

Four people have been arrested and vehicles, jewellery, ammunition, and cash totalling around $1 million have been seized following a six-month joint investigation. Operation Chartruese, targeting an organised criminal group alleged to have been involved in the importation, sale and supply of Methamphetamine and MDMA as well as precursor chemicals and the laundering of the funds generated.

Earlier this week, on June 26, we observed International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. This year the theme was 'People First: Stop stigma and discrimination, strengthen prevention.' At the border, Customs focus remains on preventing drugs from reaching and harming our communities. Every seizure counts.

From 1 January 2023 to 31 May 2023, Customs has prevented $1.4 billion in potential harm by intercepting a total of 1.3 tonnes of methamphetamine. Just a couple of weeks ago, we shared the news of Operation Regis, which saw a further 713 kgs of methamphetamine, hidden in maple syrup, being intercepted at our borders. This is our largest-ever single seizure of methamphetamine in Aotearoa New Zealand, eclipsing the previous record set last year by around 100 kilograms. In 2022, 1.8 tonnes was seized for the whole year.

Customs has import entry guidelines on how to account for international transportation and insurance costs, where goods have been sold for export to New Zealand on a Cost Insurance and Freight (CIF) or similar basis. These are set out below and should be used by used by anyone lodging import entries to ensure consistency.

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.