Head Office
New Zealand Customs Service
The Customhouse
1 Hinemoa Street
Harbour Quays
Wellington 6011
Customer Service
Phone: 0800 428 786
Phone: 1 800 301 861 (calling from Australia)
Phone: +64 9 927 8036 (overseas)
Email: feedback@customs.govt.nz
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About New Zealand Customs Service
New Zealand Customs Service is a government agency formed in the year 1840 and responsible for protecting New Zealand’s borders. The Minister of Customs heads the department. Governed by the New Zealand Government, the customs service employs more than 1,300 and operates from its headquarters at Wellington. There are 23 branch offices to facilitate and resolve queries related to taxes and duties. Many of them are located at airports and ports. The airports include Auckland International Airport, Christchurch International Airport, Dunedin International Airport, Queenstown Airport and Wellington International Airport. The ports include Auckland, Dunedin, Invercargill, Napier, Nelson, New Plymouth, Opua, Tauranga, Timaru, Wellington and Whangarei. Customs also has offices in Bangkok, Beijing, Brussels and Washington DC.
The website of New Zealand Customs Service claims it is the country’s oldest government agency. It’s priorities remain to protect the country’s borders, check threats and inspect goods that are illegal, objectionable or hazardous entering the country. It further enforces import and export restrictions and collects duties, excise taxes and the goods and services tax (GST).
According to the website, the agency can “check containers, vessels, baggage, mail, persons or property – whether entering or leaving the country”. Those arriving in New Zealand will need to fill out a passenger arrival card and report any items that total more than a certain value or any prohibited or restricted items like drugs or weapons. The list of prohibited and restricted items are listed on the website. The Customs might charge duties based on how much you have paid for items. You are not required to declare any items that you had before you left the country.
Travellers leaving the country are required to complete the NZ passenger departure card. You may not be allowed to leave the country if you have criminal convictions or any outstanding fines. You are not required to declare personal items when you leave New Zealand. Note that you also have to pay duty and GST on not only imports but also when shopping online. There is the customs duty calculator to estimate the duties and taxes you need to pay. The tool applies to goods imported for personal use. Customs can be paid using credit card, internet banking and cheque payable to New Zealand Customs Service.
Need to know the import allowances and charges, there is a separate section on the website that lists the goods and mentions the duties and other charges. The website also allows individuals to download forms and documents for import and export. For more information or queries on payment, refund, cancellation, forms, duties, or others, reach the New Zealand Customs Service support.
