customs.govt.nz Import Clearance & Entry Procedures : New Zealand Customs Service

Name of the Organization : New Zealand Customs Service
Type of Facility : Import Clearance & Entry Procedures
Country : New Zealand

Website : https://www.customs.govt.nz/

Import Clearance & Entry Procedures :

It is our job to know what is coming into New Zealand. We work on behalf of the New Zealand Government collecting duties, charges and taxes on imported goods.

Related : New Zealand Customs Service Internet Shopping : www.statusin.org/6862.html

We also work closely with other agencies to make sure that what is coming into our country will be safe and will not compromise either our security or our livelihood.

The import entry clearance gives us detailed information on the goods you are importing. We can confirm your duties and taxes and any restrictions or quarantine requirements that may apply before you can receive your goods.

We rely on you to give us correct and thorough information to ensure the prompt clearance of your goods.

Import entry process:
All goods brought into New Zealand for business or commercial use need to be cleared by submitting an “import entry” or Electronic Cargo Information (ECI). In most cases clearance is undertaken by a Customs broker on your behalf. Most freight receivers or fast courier companies have in-house brokers who can undertake this clearance for you. New Zealand Post Ltd has in-house brokers who can undertake the clearance of goods sent via the mail system.

Brokers submit clearances electronically via Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), or over the internet using the TSW Online (www.tsw.govt.nz) or third party providers.

There are two types of clearances:
Import entry – provides full details of the goods to be imported, including the classification of the goods under The Working Tariff Document of New Zealand. This is used for goods valued at NZ$1,000 or more.
Electronic Cargo Information (ECI) – provides summary details of single or multiple exempt-entry consignments. The tariff classification of the goods is not required.

The import entry clearance requires you as the importer (or the broker acting on your behalf) to provide us with detailed information about your goods. From this information we can determine any customs charges payable as well as any security or quarantine procedures that may need to be undertaken.

The TSW Online website can only be used by registered Customs brokers, or by importers who are qualified to compile an import entry and have the necessary Customs Declarant code to do so. Full information on the process of registration of users for the Customs Trade Single Window (TSW) system can be found in the JBMS Fact Sheet: Applying to be a TSW registered user.

If your goods are valued at NZ$1,000 or more, you will need a client code and a supplier code. These are unique numbers that identify you, as the importer, and also your supplier.

Customs clearance:

Once your goods arrive in New Zealand they will need to be cleared by Customs. The process involves a number of people: you or your customs broker; the shipping company, agent or freight forwarder; the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI); and of course Customs itself.

Customs’ initial clearance is done using the import entry clearance or electronic cargo information (ECI), so you need to make sure these are filled in correctly and fully. We may examine the goods either in the warehouse or on the port.

If there are any queries we will contact either you, your customs broker, the shipping company, your agent, or the freight forwarder.

In some cases your goods may be detained or seized and we will issue you with written notice if this is the case.

We will also check that all duties and charges have been accounted for before releasing the goods to you.

If the goods require quarantine or security checks MPI will be responsible for these.