New Zealand Customs Service
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Customs Service (In Māori, Te Mana Arai o Aotearoa) is a state sector organisation of New Zealand whose role is to provide border control and protect the community from potential risks arising from international trade and travel, as well as collecting duties and taxes on imports to the country. New Zealand's Minister of Customs is the Hon. Nanaia Mahuta.
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[edit] History
A Customs Department was first established in New Zealand in 1840, when New Zealand first became a British colony. An early establishment was necessary to collect revenue for the fledging Government, and over the years duties, tariffs and taxes collected by Customs have remained a major source of revenue for the country, although customs has also been used to impose various control over the movement of people and the distribution of particular products, in particular alcohol and tobacco. In 1997 the New Zealand Customs Department was renamed the New Zealand Customs Service.
[edit] Responsibilities
The Customs Service is responsible for intercepting contraband, and checks travellers and their baggage, as well as cargo and mail, for banned or prohibited items. It is also responsible for assessing and collecting Customs duties, excise taxes and Goods and Services Tax on imports and protecting New Zealand businesses against illegal trade. It exercises controls over restricted and prohibited imports and exports, including pornography, drugs, firearms and hazardous waste and also collects import and export data.
The New Zealand Customs Service works closely with New Zealand's other border agencies, the Quarantine Service and the Immigration Service.
[edit] See also
- Customs Law Act, 1908
- Customs Act, 1932
- Customs Orders Confirmation Act, 1988
- Customs And Excise Act 1998 (No. 3) Amendment Act
- Customs and Excise Act 2000 Amendment Act
- Customs and Excise Amendment Act 2006
