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Customs and Excise Act 2018

Customs powers - Powers in relation to goods

230: Questioning certain persons about cargo to be exported

You could also call this:

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

Illustration for Customs and Excise Act 2018

A Customs officer can ask you questions about cargo to be exported if you own or operate a vehicle that they think has certain goods in or on it. They can also ask you questions if they think you own or occupy premises with these goods. The goods must be subject to the control of Customs and in a sealed Customs package. You might be asked questions if you work for someone who owns or operates a vehicle or premises with these goods. If a Customs officer asks you a question under this rule, you cannot refuse to answer because you think it might incriminate you, according to Section 383(3).

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM7039522.

Topics:
Money and consumer rights > Import and exportGovernment and voting > Government departmentsBusiness > Industry rulesBusiness > Import and export
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229: Questioning employees of airlines and shipping companies about international cargo or domestic cargo, or

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

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231: Powers if vehicles suspected to be transporting certain goods involved in offences, etc, or

"Customs officers can stop and search vehicles if they suspect illegal goods are inside."

Part 4Customs powers
Powers in relation to goods

230Questioning certain persons about cargo to be exported

  1. A Customs officer may question any of the following persons about any cargo to be exported:

  2. a person who is the owner or operator of a vehicle that a Customs officer has reasonable cause to suspect has in or on it, or has within the previous 72 hours had in or on it, goods that are—
    1. subject to the control of Customs; and
      1. in a sealed Customs package:
      2. a person who is the owner or occupier of premises that a Customs officer has reasonable cause to suspect have in or on them, or have within the previous 72 hours had in or on them, goods that are—
        1. subject to the control of Customs; and
          1. in a sealed Customs package:
          2. a person employed by a person described in paragraph (a) or (b).

            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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