Once your goods arrive in New Zealand they will need to be cleared by Customs. The process involves a number of people: you or your customs broker; the shipping company, agent or freight forwarder; the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI); and of course Customs itself.
Customs' initial clearance is done using the import entry clearance or electronic cargo information (ECI), so you need to make sure these are filled in correctly and fully. We may examine the goods either in the warehouse or on the port.
If there are any queries we will contact either you, your customs broker, the shipping company, your agent, or the freight forwarder.
In some cases your goods may be detained or seized and we will issue you with written notice if this is the case.
We will also check that all duties and charges have been accounted for before releasing the goods to you.
If the goods require quarantine or security checks MPI will be responsible for these.
Customs itself does not generally hold your goods physically. Your agent or whoever you have used to import the goods will retain them until they have been cleared.
You, your customs broker, agent, shipping company, or freight forwarder will then be contacted so that arrangements can be made for the goods to be uplifted.
You will be issued with a Customs delivery order which you will need in order to collect your goods.
