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Customs and Excise Act 2018

Customs powers - Powers in relation to persons

216: Use of electronic communication devices prohibited in certain places

You could also call this:

"No using phones or computers in some areas like airports"

Illustration for Customs and Excise Act 2018

When you are in certain areas, you cannot use electronic devices like phones or computers. These areas include places where people arrive in or leave New Zealand, like airports or ports. You might see a sign that says you cannot use certain devices.

A Customs officer can put up a sign that says you cannot use certain electronic devices. If you see this sign, a Customs officer can tell you to stop using your device. They can do this to anyone in the area.

An electronic device is something like a phone, computer, or any other device that can send or receive information, except for devices that help people with disabilities. This includes devices that can send sound, compute information, or communicate in other ways using technology. You can find more information about this rule by looking at the Customs and Excise Act 2018 or similar laws, such as s 32A.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM7039479.

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Transport and travel > Air travelGovernment and voting > Border control
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217: Offence in relation to use of electronic communication device, or

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Part 4Customs powers
Powers in relation to persons

216Use of electronic communication devices prohibited in certain places

  1. This section applies to—

  2. any Customs-controlled area or Customs place that is used by persons arriving in, or departing from, New Zealand; and
    1. any other place that is being used by persons arriving in, or departing from, New Zealand.

      1. A Customs officer may erect a sign in the area or place prohibiting the use of any electronic communication device indicated on the sign.

      2. If a sign has been erected in accordance with subsection (2), a Customs officer may direct any person in the area or place not to use, or to stop using, any electronic communication device identified on the sign.

      3. In this section, electronic communication device means any of the following:

      4. a telephone or computer:
        1. any other electronic device (except a disability device) that is capable of—
          1. transmitting sound; or
            1. computing information; or
              1. communicating in any other way using any technology (including telecommunication, radiocommunication, and broadcasting technology).

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