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Customs and Excise Act 2018

Customs powers - Powers in relation to goods

229: Questioning employees of airlines and shipping companies about international cargo or domestic cargo

You could also call this:

"Customs officers can ask airline and shipping company staff about cargo they handle."

Illustration for Customs and Excise Act 2018

A Customs officer can ask you questions about international or domestic cargo if you work for an airline or shipping company and are involved in receiving, handling, or sending cargo. You can also be asked questions if you work in a special area that is controlled by Customs for certain purposes, such as those described in section 56(1)(c), (e), or (f). If you are in one of these areas, you may be asked questions, even if you do not work there.

If a Customs officer asks you a question, section 383(3) does not apply, which means you cannot refuse to answer the question because you think it might get you in trouble.

You might be asked questions if you are in a Customs-controlled area that is licensed for certain purposes, such as those described in section 56(1)(c), (e), or (f), and a Customs officer wants to know something about the cargo.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM7039521.

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"Customs can search the data on your electronic devices if they think you've done something wrong."

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230: Questioning certain persons about cargo to be exported, or

"Customs officers can ask you questions about goods being sent overseas if they think you're involved."

Part 4Customs powers
Powers in relation to goods

229Questioning employees of airlines and shipping companies about international cargo or domestic cargo

  1. A Customs officer may question any of the following persons about any international or domestic cargo:

  2. a person who, as an employee of an airline or a shipping company, manages or carries out the receipt, handling, custody, or dispatch of international or domestic cargo by that airline or shipping company:
    1. a person employed by the licensee of a Customs-controlled area that is licensed for any of the purposes described in section 56(1)(c), (e), or (f):
      1. any other person who is in a Customs-controlled area that is licensed for any of the purposes described in section 56(1)(c), (e), or (f).

        1. Section 383(3) (failure to answer questions on ground of self-incrimination) does not apply in respect of a question asked under this section.

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