NZ Customs Release

Issue

815

5 December 2025

Customs arrests a 19-year-old passenger with 15 kilograms of methamphetamine

A 19-year-old man appeared in the Manukau District Court after Customs officers found an estimated 15.17 kilograms of methamphetamine in his luggage at Auckland International Airport on 30 November 2025.

The Canadian-national is charged with the importation of a Class A Controlled drug.

The individual was identified as a 'risk passenger' through Customs' standard pre-arrival screening. Frontline officers then questioned the man upon his arrival from Vancouver, Canada, and he was further referred for a baggage check. 

An examination of his suitcase located approximately 15 vacuum-sealed packages hidden amongst clothing. The crystal-like substance inside tested positive for methamphetamine, with a potential retail value of approximately NZ$4.55 million.

Jail for global child sexual abuse ring member

An Auckland man was today sentenced at the Manukau District Court for his involvement in the online sexual exploitation of children. He received four years and ten months' imprisonment following a Customs investigation which began in August 2024.

New Customs Goods Management Levies

New Regulations have been made that give effect to the Customs levies announced in March 2025.  

This allows Customs and MPI to recover the costs of managing goods crossing our border.
 
You can read the Customs and Excise (Goods Management Levies) Order 2025 and the Customs and Excise (Postal Articles) Amendment Regulations 2025.  

The new levy structure will take effect on 1 April 2026. It modernises our goods cost recovery framework, and also makes the way we recover costs fairer for levy payers and for taxpayers. 

Helping businesses prepare 

We're hosting industry meetings and online sessions to explain the changes and answer questions. You can download our industry information packs from Customs website at Goods Fees – 2026 changes. 

For more information, email trade.programme@customs.govt.nz.  

New excise and excise-equivalent duty rates for tobacco, tobacco products, and heated tobacco products from 1 January 2026

The annual indexation increase to excise and excise-equivalent duty rates will take place on 1 January 2026.

These increases will raise excise and excise-equivalent duty rates on tobacco, tobacco products, and heated tobacco products by 2.96 percent.

Consultation on proposals to strengthen New Zealand's Export Control Regime now

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade has released a public consultation document on options to strengthen New Zealand's Export Control Regime. Exporters, their agents and those associated with any aspect of military or dual use goods or intangible technology transfers should take the opportunity to consider the document and provide their views on the proposals.

To learn more, interested parties can register for both online and in-person consultation events. These commence 8 December 2025.

Consultation closes 5pm, 16 January 2025.

Please contact ecrreview@mfat.govt.nz with any queries.

You can view the consultation document and register via the link below.

MFAT Market Intelligence Reports

The latest edition of the weekly global trade and economic update for New Zealand businesses has been published.