A Bill set to strengthen Customs’ ability to combat organised crime and the increasing threats to New Zealand’s borders has been introduced to Parliament.
The Bill introduces a range of measures including:
- strengthening security requirements in Customs-controlled areas and export storage facilities;
- increasing penalties and introducing enforcement tools to deter serious offending;
- providing Customs additional operational powers;
- modernising information-sharing and digital border capabilities;
- enabling provisions for enhanced officer safety.
“Our border is a critical line of defence against the transnational, serious and organised crime (TSOC) groups that are actively targeting our country and supply chains,” said Customs Minister, Casey Costello.
“The border threat environment we face today is very different from even a few years ago and Customs needs improved tools and powers to deal with this.”
The Minister said the Customs and Excise (Border Security) Amendment Bill intends to ensure New Zealand’s legislation keeps pace with changing threats.
“The most obvious issue is the massive increase in illicit drugs being seized – the volume of drug intercepts more than quadrupled from 2018 to 2024 from 1.5 to 6.5 tonnes. TSOC groups are leveraging technology and exploiting legitimate trade and travel systems, and they have targeted and corrupted people with access to secure border areas such as baggage handlers,” she said.
“Customs needs improved powers to address this, and the growing trade in child exploitation material.”
“When the original Customs and Excise Bill was passed in 1996, the main border issues involved individuals, offensive material in magazines and on videos and people trying to bring in extra cartons of duty-free cigarettes.
“We are now dealing with criminal cartels and serious criminal activity involving huge sums of money. This is backed by threats and intimidation, and violence.
“Customs needs to have appropriate powers to address this, and its staff need to be better protected from the risks involved.”
Ms Costello says the Bill also recognises Customs’ role in protecting national security and its role with partner agencies, and it establishes a framework for information sharing with industry partners.
The introduction of the Amendment Bill means that it has now been formally presented to Parliament and published on the parliamentary website.
