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

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