WELLINGTON: Customs Minister Nicky Wagner says over four tonnes of tobacco was abandoned at airports in the year since the duty free limits were dropped on 1 November 2014.
As previously reported, New Zealand changed its regulations on 1 November, 2014 forcing passengers to declare any tobacco over the 50 cigarettes or 50 grams, and either dispose of the excess or pay duty on it. Tobacco sent by mail or cargo also no longer qualifies for a gift allowance.
Wagner reveals that passengers choosing not to pay duty dumped almost 3.8 tonnes of tobacco – almost enough to fill a 20 foot shipping container – in Customs bins at international airports.
According to the MP, hundreds of kilograms of tobacco sent by mail also end up as unclaimed cargo if importers don’t pay the duty. This all adds to the significant quantity of tobacco that Customs destroys on a regular basis.
The photo shows approximately 390kg of tobacco left by passengers as a result of the tobacco duty free changes. Abandoned tobacco is destroyed by Customs.
“Almost 500kg of tobacco per month was abandoned in the first months after the lower limit came into effect, but in September this year just over 250kg was left at airports,” says Wagner.
“I’m pleased the duty free change is deterring travellers from bringing tobacco through the border – this contributes to reducing the harm caused by smoking and the Government’s goal of making New Zealand smoke-free by 2025.
“The change was signalled well in advance and passengers have the opportunity to declare and discard excess tobacco when they arrive. People who don’t must pay the additional duty and GST.”
Customs recorded around 10,100 transactions for people who chose to pay duty, with the total revenue collected in the year adding to $1.62m.
