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Customs and Excise Act 2018

Customs powers - Powers of entry, search warrants, use of aids, etc

223: Entry to examine goods subject to control of Customs

You could also call this:

"Customs officers can enter places to check goods, but need permission or a warrant to enter homes or marae."

Illustration for Customs and Excise Act 2018

If you are a Customs officer, you can enter a place to check goods that are under Customs control or that you think might be. You can do this to use powers given to you under section 227 or section 228. This is so you can examine goods that are under Customs control and are in a sealed package.

You can enter a place to check these goods, but there are some exceptions. If you want to enter a private home or a marae, you need to have permission from the person who lives there or owns it.

If you do not have permission, you can only enter with a warrant, which is a special document that allows you to do so.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM7039493.

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222: Entry to Customs-controlled areas and CASEs, or

"Customs officers can enter special areas to do their job"

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"Customs officers can patrol and inspect areas to catch people breaking the law"

Part 4Customs powers
Powers of entry, search warrants, use of aids, etc

223Entry to examine goods subject to control of Customs

  1. A Customs officer may enter any place for the purpose of exercising any power under section 227 or 228 in respect of goods that are, or that the officer suspects are,—

  2. subject to the control of Customs; and
    1. in a sealed Customs package.

      1. However, a Customs officer must not enter a private dwelling or marae except—

      2. with the consent of an occupier or owner of that dwelling or marae; or
        1. under a warrant.

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