Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Customs and Excise Act 2018

Entry and exit of goods, persons, and craft - Arrival and departure of goods, persons, and craft - Arrival of craft in New Zealand

18: Offences in relation to craft that arrive at place other than Customs place, etc

You could also call this:

"Breaking rules when arriving in New Zealand by boat can lead to fines or prison time."

Illustration for Customs and Excise Act 2018

If you are in charge of a craft, you commit an offence if you do not follow the rules in section 17(1) or (2). You can get in trouble if you break these rules. If you are found guilty, you could go to prison for up to 12 months or get a fine of up to $15,000.

If you are not a Customs officer and you do not follow the rules in section 17(3), you also commit an offence. You can get a fine of up to $5,000 if you are found guilty.

You should check the rules to make sure you are doing the right thing when your craft arrives in New Zealand.

This text is automatically generated. It might be out of date or be missing some parts. Find out more about how we do this.

This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM7039210.

Topics:
Transport and travel > BoatingCrime and justice > Police and safety
Previous

17: Craft must arrive at Customs place, or

"When bringing a boat to New Zealand, it must arrive at a special place called a Customs place."

Next

19: Persons leaving or boarding arriving craft before inward report made, or

"Wait for clearance before getting on or off a boat in New Zealand"

Part 3Entry and exit of goods, persons, and craft
Arrival and departure of goods, persons, and craft: Arrival of craft in New Zealand

18Offences in relation to craft that arrive at place other than Customs place, etc

  1. The person in charge of a craft commits an offence if the person fails to comply with section 17(1) or (2).

  2. A person who commits an offence under subsection (1) is liable on conviction to—

  3. imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months; or
    1. a fine not exceeding $15,000.

      1. A person (other than a Customs officer) commits an offence if the person fails to comply with section 17(3).

      2. A person who commits an offence under subsection (3) is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000.

      Compare