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Importing commercial goods into New Zealand can involve more than simply arranging freight. Customs clearance, biosecurity requirements, documentation and border procedures can all affect how quickly your goods are released after arrival.

Cusmode Customs assists importers with customs clearance throughout New Zealand, including shipments arriving through Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch and other New Zealand ports and airports.

Whether your goods arrive by sea freight, air freight or courier, preparing for clearance before arrival can help reduce unnecessary delays, storage costs and other problems at the border.

Customs Clearance Services Across New Zealand

Commercial goods entering New Zealand may require clearance through the New Zealand Customs Service.

Depending on the type of goods being imported, Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) biosecurity requirements may also apply.

Cusmode can assist with shipments arriving through locations including:

• Auckland
• Tauranga
• Wellington
• Christchurch
• Napier
• Nelson
• New Plymouth
• Dunedin
• Other New Zealand ports and airports

A customs broker does not necessarily need to be physically located beside the port where your goods arrive. Much of the New Zealand import clearance process is handled electronically, allowing us to assist importers throughout the country.

What Does a Customs Broker in New Zealand Do?

A customs broker assists businesses with the requirements involved in bringing commercial goods into New Zealand.

Depending on the shipment, this may include reviewing commercial documentation, determining tariff classifications, preparing import entries, dealing with Customs queries and assisting with applicable duty and GST requirements.

Where goods are subject to biosecurity controls, MPI requirements may also need to be addressed before the shipment can be fully released.

Customs Clearance and MPI Clearance Are Different

New Zealand Customs and MPI perform different functions at the border.

New Zealand Customs Service deals with matters including import declarations, tariff classification, Customs duty, GST, prohibited and restricted imports and border compliance.

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) manages New Zealand’s biosecurity requirements.

Products such as food, plant material, timber, animal products and other biosecurity risk goods may require additional documentation, permits, certificates, treatment or inspection.

Some shipments therefore require both Customs clearance and MPI clearance before the goods can be released.

What Documents Are Needed for Import Clearance?

Requirements vary according to the goods, country of origin and method of transport.

Common documents include:

• Commercial invoice
• Packing list
• Bill of Lading for sea freight
• Air Waybill for air freight
• Import permits where applicable
• Certificates or other supporting documentation required for regulated goods

Certain products may also require phytosanitary certificates, health certificates, treatment certificates, declarations or other documentation.

Providing these documents to your customs broker early gives more time to identify potential problems before the shipment arrives.

Sea Freight Customs Clearance in New Zealand

Containerised and other sea-freight shipments enter New Zealand through ports including Auckland, Tauranga and other regional ports.

Where possible, import documentation should be provided before the vessel arrives.

Waiting until a container is already at the port before starting clearance can create unnecessary pressure if Customs or MPI requires additional information, examination, inspection or treatment.

Early preparation may also help reduce the risk of avoidable storage, detention and other container-related charges.

Air Freight Customs Clearance

Air freight moves considerably faster than sea freight, so documentation should ideally be available before or shortly after the goods depart from the country of export.

Commercial air-freight shipments may require formal Customs clearance and, depending on the goods, MPI clearance.

Importers should therefore avoid assuming that using air freight removes normal New Zealand border requirements.

First-Time Importers to New Zealand

If you are importing commercial goods into New Zealand for the first time, it is worth checking the requirements before your supplier ships the goods.

A product being freely available overseas does not automatically mean it can be imported into New Zealand without conditions.

Depending on the product, there may be biosecurity requirements, import restrictions, permits, certificates, treatment requirements or other regulatory conditions.

Checking the import pathway before committing to a shipment can prevent a relatively small documentation issue at origin from becoming a much more expensive problem after arrival.

Customs Broker Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch and Nationwide

Cusmode Customs assists businesses importing commercial goods throughout New Zealand.

Whether your shipment is arriving through Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, Christchurch or another New Zealand port or airport, you can contact us before the goods depart or while they are in transit.

Early communication gives us more time to identify documentation or border-clearance requirements before they become costly problems.

If you have an upcoming shipment to New Zealand, send us your commercial invoice, packing list and available shipping details. We can review the information and assist you with the New Zealand customs clearance process.