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Customs and Excise Act 2018

Final and miscellaneous provisions - Offences - Interference with goods or cargo

361: Interference with seals, etc

You could also call this:

"Don't touch or break Customs seals or locks without permission"

Illustration for Customs and Excise Act 2018

If you are in New Zealand, you must not open, alter, break, or erase any seal or lock put on goods or a craft by a Customs officer without their permission. This includes any marks or devices on a craft or its cargo. You can only do this if a Customs officer says you can. You will commit an offence if you do not follow this rule without a good reason. The person in charge of the craft must make sure you follow this rule.

If you are in charge of a craft, you must ensure that nobody interferes with the seals or locks. If you fail to do this, you will commit an offence. If you break this rule, you can be fined up to $5,000 if you are an individual, or up to $25,000 if you are a company. You can find similar information in the 1996 No 27 s 197 legislation. This rule is important for Customs officers to do their job properly.

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View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM7039823.

Topics:
Crime and justice > Police and safetyMoney and consumer rights > Customs and tradeBusiness > Import and exportBusiness > Industry rulesTransport and travel > Shipping and cargo
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360: Interference with cargo, or

"Don't touch imported goods until they're cleared by Customs"

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362: Unauthorised use of seals, interference with sealed Customs packages, etc, or

"Don't mess with Customs seals or packages, or you could get a big fine."

Part 6Final and miscellaneous provisions
Offences: Interference with goods or cargo

361Interference with seals, etc

  1. No person may, except with the permission or at the direction of a Customs officer, open, alter, break, or erase any fastening, lock, mark, seal, marking, substance, or device that has been used by a Customs officer—

  2. in relation to any goods in or on a craft in New Zealand; or
    1. on any hatchway, opening, or other place or device on a craft in New Zealand.

      1. A person commits an offence if, without reasonable excuse, the person contravenes subsection (1).

      2. The person in charge of a craft must ensure compliance with subsection (1).

      3. The person in charge of a craft commits an offence if the person fails to ensure compliance with subsection (1).

      4. A person who commits an offence under this section is liable on conviction,—

      5. in the case of an individual, to a fine not exceeding $5,000:
        1. in the case of a body corporate, to a fine not exceeding $25,000.

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