Privacy Policy & Terms of Trade

1. Privacy Policy

Cusmode respects your privacy and treats client information seriously. We collect personal, business and shipment-related information only where it is reasonably required for our customs brokerage, import, export, MPI biosecurity, freight support, advisory or related services.

This may include your name, business name, address, phone number, email address, importer/exporter/supplier/consignee details, customs client codes, GST numbers, invoices, packing lists, bills of lading, airway bills, arrival notices, freight documents, product details, values, origin details, tariff information, shipment instructions, authority to act forms, identification documents, compliance records, payment records, website enquiry form details and email correspondence.

We use this information to respond to enquiries, provide quotes and service information, review documents and shipment requirements, prepare or support customs and MPI-related processes, communicate with relevant parties involved in a shipment, maintain records required for business, legal, customs, tax, accounting and compliance purposes, and improve our website, customer service and business operations.

We may share relevant information with third parties only where required or reasonably necessary to provide our services, comply with legal obligations, protect our rights, or progress a shipment or enquiry. This may include New Zealand Customs Service, MPI, port companies, shipping lines, airlines, freight forwarders, transport operators, depots, warehouses, inspection facilities, IT service providers, professional advisers, debt collection agencies and other relevant service providers.

We do not sell personal information. We take reasonable steps to protect information from unauthorised access, loss, misuse or disclosure. However, no email, website, online form or electronic communication system can be guaranteed as fully secure.

2. Terms of Trade & Scope of Services

These Terms of Trade apply to all enquiries, advice, quotes, services and work carried out by Cusmode. Cusmode provides customs brokerage, import, export, MPI biosecurity support, freight-related assistance, document review, advisory and related services.

• Customs clearance support
• Import and export documentation review
• MPI biosecurity guidance
• Tariff, duty, GST and valuation guidance
• Client code and supplier code guidance
• Personal effects, commercial shipment and vehicle import documentation support
• Liaison with freight forwarders, depots, shipping lines, airlines, ports, transport providers and government agencies
• Urgent shipment support where available

We are not responsible for delays or decisions caused by government agencies, shipping lines, airlines, ports, depots, freight forwarders, transport companies, overseas suppliers or any other third party.

Authority to Act & Client Responsibilities

By instructing Cusmode, you authorise us to act on your behalf for the purpose of progressing your customs, MPI, freight, import, export or related matter. You agree to provide full, accurate and complete information. You remain responsible for the accuracy of all documents, values, descriptions, origin details, quantities, product information and declarations provided to us.

If information is incomplete, incorrect, late or misleading, this may result in delays, extra costs, penalties, inspections, storage, demurrage, seizure, amendment fees or other consequences. These remain the client’s responsibility.

The client is responsible for checking documents, confirming cargo descriptions, advising whether goods are personal, commercial, food, animal, plant, vehicle, dangerous goods or restricted, ensuring goods comply with New Zealand import/export laws, paying all duties/GST/fees/third-party charges, responding quickly to information requests, and advising Cusmode immediately if shipment details change.

Quotes and Estimates

Any quote, estimate or indication of charges is based on the information available at the time. Unless clearly stated in writing, quotes do not include all possible third-party costs, government charges, Customs duty, GST, MPI charges, inspection costs, storage, demurrage, port charges, airline charges, depot charges, transport charges, amendment fees, fumigation, treatment, disposal, re-export, legal costs or other external costs.

Third-party and government charges may change without notice. The client remains responsible for all such charges.

Payment Terms

Cusmode does not provide automatic credit terms. All invoices are payable immediately on issue unless otherwise agreed in writing.

We may require payment in advance before work is started, continued or completed. This may include payment for brokerage fees, consultancy fees, Customs duty, GST, MPI charges, port charges, freight-related charges, third-party costs and other disbursements.

Where urgent work is requested, payment may still be required immediately. If payment is not received, Cusmode may suspend work, decline further instructions, withhold release of documents where lawful, or refer unpaid amounts for recovery. The client is responsible for reasonable debt collection costs, legal costs and recovery costs arising from unpaid invoices.

Consultation and Advice Fees

General initial enquiries may be answered without charge at our discretion. However, consultation, technical advice, document review, tariff/GST guidance, import/export planning, compliance advice, urgent support, problem-solving, shipment strategy or detailed written guidance may be subject to a fee.

A consultation or advisory fee may apply where we review documents but the client does not proceed with us, the client uses our advice to complete the shipment themselves, the client shares our advice with another broker, forwarder, supplier or third party, the enquiry requires technical review, urgent attention or detailed written response, or the matter involves disputes, penalties, amendments, seizures, inspections, MPI issues or government follow-up.

Confidentiality and Use of Information

Any advice, guidance, quote, email, document, template, calculation, procedure, instruction, contact, strategy or information provided by Cusmode is confidential and intended only for the client or recipient it was provided to.

You must not copy, forward, publish, share, reuse or provide Cusmode’s advice, emails, templates, calculations, instructions, methods, contacts or service information to another broker, freight forwarder, supplier, consultant, competitor or third party without our written consent.

You must not use Cusmode’s advice or information to obtain a commercial advantage, avoid paying for our services, or allow another party to complete the same work using our guidance. If our information or advice is used in this way, Cusmode may charge a reasonable consultation, document review or advisory fee.

Urgent and 24/7 Service

Cusmode may provide after-hours, weekend or 24/7 support where available. This service is strictly intended for urgent, critical or time-sensitive import/export matters, including perishable goods, food or biosecurity-sensitive cargo, medical/health/essential goods, critical machinery or business-critical parts, urgent export cut-offs, government/Customs/MPI deadlines, and cargo at risk of storage, demurrage, expiry, missed vessel/flight or operational disruption.

General enquiries, routine quote requests, non-urgent paperwork and standard shipment questions may be handled during normal business hours. After-hours or urgent support may attract additional fees.

Delays, Inspections and Third-Party Decisions

Cusmode will use reasonable care and skill when providing services. However, we cannot guarantee clearance times, inspection outcomes, MPI decisions, Customs decisions, port release, shipping line release, airline release, depot availability, transport timing or third-party response times.

The client remains responsible for all costs arising from delays, inspections, holds, storage, demurrage, detention, treatment, fumigation, disposal, re-export, amendment, examination or other government or third-party action.

Limitation of Liability, Business Customers and Website Information

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Cusmode is not liable for indirect loss, loss of profit, loss of opportunity, business interruption, loss caused by delay, or loss caused by third-party decisions or client-provided information.

Where liability cannot legally be excluded, Cusmode’s liability is limited to the amount of fees paid to Cusmode for the specific service giving rise to the claim, unless the law requires otherwise. Nothing in these terms limits any rights that cannot legally be excluded under New Zealand law.

Where services are acquired for business purposes, the client agrees, to the extent permitted by law, that any consumer guarantees or similar protections that may be lawfully excluded for business-to-business services are excluded. This does not remove any rights that cannot legally be excluded.

Information on this website is general information only. It should not be treated as legal, tax, financial, accounting or formal regulatory advice. Customs, MPI, freight, tariff, duty, GST and import/export requirements can change depending on the goods, documents, country of origin, supplier, importer, intended use and government requirements. You should contact us for advice specific to your shipment.

Changes to These Terms

Cusmode may update this Privacy Policy and Terms of Trade from time to time. The latest version published on our website applies from the date it is posted.

Contact Cusmode

For questions about this Privacy Policy, Terms of Trade, invoices or services, please contact:

Cusmode Customs Brokers / Cusmode Holding Limited
Website: www.cusmode.co.nz
Email: info@cusmode.co.nz
Phone: 09 927 8059 / +64 21 807 814