Anne Marie Taggart
Growth in abandoned and seized tobacco at international airports and sent from overseas has prompted Customs to remind travellers and friends or family to be aware of the limits and help spread the word.
There has been a noticeable increase in the amount of tobacco being abandoned by travellers and this may be because they are unaware of the limits.
Maximum quantity admissible
The current duty-free allowance is 50 cigarettes, or 50 grams of cigarettes, cigars or tobacco. Duty will be applied to any cigarettes, cigars or tobacco over this limit.
Not declaring or hiding excess tobacco is a criminal offence – this tobacco will be seized and there could be serious consequences.
There has also been growth in the amount of tobacco abandoned or seized that has been sent from overseas, and in particular from the Asian region, through international mail or by freight.
There is no gift or duty-free allowance and whoever the tobacco is addressed to, is considered to be the ‘importer’ and is liable for the taxes.
Huge numbers intercepted
In 2017, more than three million cigarettes and cigars and around half a tonne of loose tobacco was intercepted by Customs, with more than 2.5 tonnes of tobacco abandoned as people did not want to pay the extra charges.
Customs will shortly be running a campaign to raise awareness about the limits and the duty that must be paid for excess tobacco.
Public support
Everyone can play a part in this by making sure their friends and family are aware of the allowances.
We want people to be aware of the additional costs that will be incurred before they travel, or send from overseas, to avoid having their tobacco abandoned or seized.
Any tobacco that is intercepted or abandoned will be destroyed.
Anne Marie Taggart is Group Manager, Border Operations at New Zealand Customs.
