Hon Kris Faafoi
Minister of Customs
28 September 2018
PĀNUI PĀPĀHO
MEDIA STATEMENT
New Customs and Excise Act completes modernisation of Customs legislation
Customs Minister Hon Kris Faafoi says a once in a generation modernisation of Customs’ legislation will be complete when
a new Act comes into force on Monday.
“This legislation is really important for border security, trade and travel – with Customs annually processing 14
million international passengers and 16 million trade transactions, and collecting $14.4 billion of revenue on behalf of
the Crown.
“The new Customs and Excise Act 2018 replaces its 1996 equivalent and is a result of five years planning, consulting and
implementation. It was important to get this process right and several changes that reflects modern business practice
came out of consultation with the import and export sector.”
There are 10 new services and initiatives arising from the Act, including the provision to store business records
offshore or in the cloud, a new valuation rulings service, and the ability to seek informal reviews of Customs
assessments as an alternative to more time-consuming appeals to the Customs Appeal Authority.
“The new Act aims to make it easier to understand and comply with border requirements, and it removes remnants from the
1913 and 1966 Acts. The way the new Act is structured will also reduce the need for Customs to come to Parliament to
seek legislative amendments due to future changes in technology, business practice and advances in border security.
“I want to thank the industry stakeholder reference group that assisted and advised Customs over the past five years.
Its contribution has been invaluable, along with feedback received from the Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders
Federation, Privacy Commissioner, public, and business community,” says Mr Faafoi.
More information on the Customs and Excise Act 2018 is available online atwww.customs.govt.nz/ce2018
ends