New Zealand Customs to require cargo reports for transits from Australia

New Zealand Customs to require cargo reports for transits from Australia    The New Zealand Customs Service said it would require inward cargo reports for vessels and planes entering the country from Australia, effective Nov. 30.
   The agency said it had hoped to work with its Australian counterparts on ways to receive the advance data from reports that already exist with the Australian Customs Service. “This would preclude craft operators from having to coordinate the lodgement of such cargo reports into customs’ systems, so would reduce compliance costs and complexity,” New Zealand Customs said.
   Australian Customs has expressed interest in the effort, but its current priority is to implement its Integrated Cargo System. “We will continue to work toward a solution, but this is unlikely to be completed before March,” New Zealand Customs said.
   The agency said in the interim it would require inward cargo reports to be filed for vessels and planes arriving directly from Australia. Ocean freight reports will need to be filed no less than 24 hours before arrival of the vessel in New Zealand. Air cargo reports will need to be filed before planes originating in Australia land in New Zealand.
   “Customs is mindful of the impact house level reporting would have on industry given the implementation timeline, and will therefore require reporting at master air waybill or ocean bill level only,” New Zealand Customs said. “Where customs requires individual shipment level detail for transshipment or U.S.-bound transit cargo, customs will work with carriers to obtain this.”