Changes aimed at ensuring fairness and cost recovery for Customs services.
The New Zealand government has introduced new border fees and levies to make them more fair and recoverable from those who benefit or create the need for border processing services. According to Customs Minister Casey Costello, the changes are necessary to ensure that Customs and Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) can protect against biosecurity risks and organised crime activity.
The fee changes have two parts: some Customs fees will increase from 1 July this year, while structural changes to the fee regime will take place in April 2026. The Minister said that these changes are needed to address inequities in the current regime and benefit New Zealand retailers and taxpayers. For example, low-value goods purchased from international online suppliers will no longer have border processing costs mostly paid by taxpayers.
The cost recovery system for Customs goods fees has been in place for two decades, with the last review taking place in 2019. The structural changes announced today will take effect from 1 April 2026, and details are available on the Customs website. Adjustments to Customs fees will be made from 1 July 2025 to ensure sustainable cost recovery.
The fees changes underwent extensive consultation with industry and the wider public, and Customs and MPI will work with stakeholders to implement the changes smoothly.