New Zealand Customs Clearance Services Parcels, Air Cargo and Sea Freight, Handled by One Broker

Platinum Customs® Clearance

Every import shipment into New Zealand needs a customs clearance. Your customs broker submits the shipping and supporting documents to the New Zealand Customs Service (NZCS) and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). As a result, any duty and GST are calculated and your goods are risk assessed by both agencies.

Whether you are an individual or a business, a customs clearance is required when your goods are valued at over NZ$1,000. Our customs brokers handle the paperwork and any queries along the way, so your goods are cleared quickly and accurately.

How NZ customs clearance works

Sea Freight: LCL and FCL

Smaller sea freight shipments travel as a Less than a Container Load (LCL), sharing container space with other importers. Larger shipments travel as a Full Container Load (FCL), with a container to themselves. LCL is cost-effective for smaller shipments, while FCL is the most economical way to import if you have enough cargo to fill a container.

Either way, Platinum® monitors your shipment from departure overseas through to New Zealand, then clears it through NZCS and MPI. For FCL, we can also arrange unpacking and delivery.

FCL customs clearance

Air Freight Imports With Platinum Cargo®

Air cargo needs to be pre-cleared before it arrives, because the airline cargo terminal starts charging storage soon after arrival. Platinum Cargo® works with your overseas supplier and with you to make sure the paperwork is correct before we lodge the entry with NZCS and MPI.

Once your cargo is checked in at the terminal, you can collect it, or we can deliver it to you. Our air freight expertise comes from more than 25 years of clearing air cargo into New Zealand.

Air freight customs clearance

NZ Post Customs Clearance

When a parcel valued at over NZ$1,000 arrives through the mail network, NZ Post sends you a letter advising that it is held for a customs entry. You can then either let NZ Post clear it for a fee, plus any import taxes and an entry fee, or ask Platinum Customs® to process the clearance on the same day.

Platinum® cannot pre-clear NZ Post parcels. We need you to receive the NZ Post letter first, so send it through as soon as it arrives.

With our One Touch™ policy, you deal with one contact from start to finish, and your parcel is released to continue on its way to you.

NZ Post customs clearance

Your Platinum® Customs Broker

Your customs broker plays a critical role in the import process. They collate your import paperwork and prepare the data for NZCS and MPI, drawing on extensive knowledge of the Customs and Excise Act and its regulations.

With more than 25 years of experience, Platinum®'s customs brokers work closely with importers to keep every clearance accurate and compliant.

About Platinum®

Importing Advice Before You Buy

Where time permits, Platinum® gives you customs clearance advice before you buy from your overseas supplier. However, many importers contact us after the goods are purchased, or even after they arrive. Either way, we tell you about issues that may not be front of mind.

Being well informed helps you make decisions that reduce costs and avoid complications, so your cargo travels safely and is processed through the border promptly.

Importing guides by sector