NZ Customs Release

Issue

824

20 March 2026

New Biosecurity and Customs Goods Management Levies

A new levy structure for Biosecurity and Customs goods management levies takes effect from 1 April 2026.

The changes more fairly recover costs for border processing services from those whose activities create the need for such services.

To help your business prepare, you can download industry information packs from Customs' website at Goods Fees – 2026 changes. 

You can download Customs' quick reference guide for all goods levies that will apply from 1 April 2026 at: Quick reference guide - goods management levies from 1 April 2026.

You can read the regulations:
- Customs and Excise (Goods Management Levies) Order 2025
- Customs and Excise (Postal Articles) Amendment Regulations 2025
- Biosecurity (Import Levies and Commercial Vessel Levy) Order 2026 
- Customs and Excise (Goods Management Levies) Amendment Order 2026.

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

Middle East security situation

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has issued updated advice for New Zealanders living and travelling in the Middle East.
 
Visit the SafeTravel website for the latest updates.

Most used small craft won't meet requirements for duty free entry 

Customs wishes to advise that most used vessels, including those that sail to New Zealand under their own power or arrive on a transport vessel after being used overseas, will not meet the direct shipment requirements for duty free entry.

These provisions require goods to travel directly from the place of manufacture to New Zealand without being imported into another country not party to the agreement.

As part of the clearance process, importers will be expected to verify any preferential duty rate claims. If these claims cannot be verified, then the normal duty rate of 5% will be used.

More information is available on our website.

DTR Sea project mailbox now closed

This notice is to advise that the DTR (Domestic Transhipment Request) Sea Project mailbox (DTR@mpi.govt.nz) was permanently closed on 13 March 2026. DTRs have been mandated for the sea pathway across various groups throughout 2023/2024, and all submitters, ports, and shipping lines are now fully onboarded and DTR compliant.

From 13 March 2026, any emails sent to this mailbox will receive an automated response directing users to contact TSW User Support at Tswusersupport@customs.govt.nz as part of transitioning to a business-as-usual support model. 

Please refer to the DTR Sea Information page on the Customs website which includes helpful guidance.
 
Thank you for your support and collaboration throughout the DTR Sea Project. 

MFAT Market Intelligence Reports

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