Thank you for your e-mail requesting information.  New Zealand Customs
Service (Customs) will respond to your request as soon as possible. Please
note that this e-mail address is checked workdays Monday to Friday 08:00
to 17:00 and there may be delays in replying to you.

For your information, please find attached an Advice to Travellers
brochure. Further infomation is available on our website
[1]www.customs.govt.nz.

Parcel Delayed, or "Awaiting Customs Clearance" Messages

Customs does not physically store or deliver parcels. If you have an
enquiry about a Customs matter, example duty charges,  in relation to your
item, we will require a Customs Reference number to locate the details
which you should have been advised of by your carrier example NZ Post, we
can be contacted on 0800 428 786.

If you are expecting a parcel or package, you will need a parcel tracking
number and you should contact the company bringing the item to New
Zealand. For mail articles other than Australian Post, (EMS or USPS)
please contact NZ Post on 0800 478 287 (option 2).

Please note if you have tracked your parcel and the message indicates a
Customs delay this does not mean that customs are holding your package but
that your carrier (e.g NZ Post) has yet to arrange clearance and you need
to contact that specific carrier to arrange the clearance.

Other contact points

The following border agencies may also be of assistance:

Ministry for Primary Industries - [2]www.mpi.govt.nz or phone 0800 003
333.  (Bringing food or plant material into NZ)

Aviation Security - [3]www.avsec.govt.nz or phone 04 495 2430. (Taking
liquids or other restricted articles on to an aircraft)

Ministry of Health - [4]www.medsafe.govt.nz. or phone 09 580 9141.
(Bringing prescription medicines into NZ)

 

Thank you

New Zealand Customs Service
PO Box 29 Auckland

DDI 0800 428 786

Email: [5][email address]

 

--- The information contained in this e-mail may be privileged and/or
sensitive. It is intended for the addressee only and is not necessarily
the official view or communication of the New Zealand Customs Service. If
you are not the intended recipient you are asked to not disclose, copy, or
make use of its contents. If received in error you are asked to destroy
this e-mail and contact the sender immediately. Your assistance is
appreciated.---

References

Visible links
1. http://www.customs.govt.nz/
2. outbind://97-000000000F63228C3F2B904E8DA0BCC584603F6B07008293D21C16FB404E86A1DEB857E238C200000075EDF800003B0E921D935B8A44A7BEFCE172CEB41B000001717BB50000/www.biosecurity.govt.nz
http://www.mpi.govt.nz/
3. outbind://97-000000000F63228C3F2B904E8DA0BCC584603F6B07008293D21C16FB404E86A1DEB857E238C200000075EDF800003B0E921D935B8A44A7BEFCE172CEB41B000001717BB50000/www.avsec.govt.nz
file:///tmp/blocked::outbind:/97-000000000F63228C3F2B904E8DA0BCC584603F6B07008293D21C16FB404E86A1DEB857E238C200000075EDF800003B0E921D935B8A44A7BEFCE172CEB41B000001717BB50000/www.avsec.govt.nz
4. outbind://97-000000000F63228C3F2B904E8DA0BCC584603F6B07008293D21C16FB404E86A1DEB857E238C200000075EDF800003B0E921D935B8A44A7BEFCE172CEB41B000001717BB50000/www.medsafe.govt.nz
file:///tmp/blocked::outbind:/97-000000000F63228C3F2B904E8DA0BCC584603F6B07008293D21C16FB404E86A1DEB857E238C200000075EDF800003B0E921D935B8A44A7BEFCE172CEB41B000001717BB50000/www.medsafe.govt.nz
5. mailto:[email address]
file:///tmp/blocked::mailto:[email address]

Dear Alan Heward

Thank you for your email.

I have forwarded your request to the appropriate department for their
response.

Regards

Kylie Adams | Auckland Client Services| New Zealand Customs Service |
Auckland Customhouse | 50 Anzac Avenue | Auckland | Ph: 0800 428 786|
Email: [email address]

-----Original Message-----
From: Alan Heward [mailto:[OIA #614 email]]
Sent: Sunday, 21 October 2012 17:36
To: feedback
Subject: Official Information Act request - Details regarding the
siezure of Weetabix company products

Dear New Zealand Customs Service,

I am interested in information regarding the case of a Palmerston
North retailer "Tastes of the UK", and seizure by Customs of all
products from the Weetabix company.

1. Please provide correspondence to or from external organisations
relating to their request for Customs to seize and search the
shipment.
2. Please provide notes from Customs meetings that substantiate the
complaint, and uphold the legal position of Customs searching the
shipment on behalf of the complainant.

3. Information on what grounds Customs searched the shipment, the
veracity of the source and any checks that Customs performed to
validate the authenticity of the intelligence received.

4. How a 'search for drugs' can result in other unrelated
merchandise being siezed.

5. Any documentation Customs has reviewed, or legal advice sought,
that equates the company name Weetabix, with the Sanitarium owned
product brand of Weet-bix.

Yours faithfully,
Alan Heward

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[OIA #614 email]

Is [email address] the wrong address for Official
Information Act requests to New Zealand Customs Service? If so,
please contact us using this form:
http://fyi.org.nz/help/contact

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be
published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
http://fyi.org.nz/help/officers

If you find this service useful as an OIA officer, please ask your
web manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

The information contained in this e-mail may be privileged and/or sensitive. It is intended for the addressee only and is not necessarily the official view or communication of the New Zealand Customs Service. If you are not the intended recipient you are asked to not disclose, copy, or make use of its contents. If received in error you are asked to destroy this e-mail and contact the sender immediately. Your assistance is appreciated.

hide quoted sections

Dear Mr Heward

This email acknowledges receipt of your request for official information
held by the New Zealand Customs Service. Requests for official
information are processed within 20 working days from the time of their
receipt.

Would you kindly provide verification that you are a person entitled to
request official information as per section 12 of the official
Information Act 1982 please.

Persons entitled to request official information can be any of the
following:

(a) a New Zealand citizen; or

(b) a permanent resident of New Zealand; or

(c) a person who is in New Zealand; or

(d) a body corporate which is incorporated in New Zealand; or

(e) a body corporate which is incorporated outside New Zealand but which
has a place of business in New Zealand,-

A copy of the biographical page of your passport or confirmation of your
residential address in New Zealand should suffice in this respect if you
are a New Zealand citizen or are resident in New Zealand.

Also, if you are requesting information on behalf of a person or
organisation for who you are requesting information about, would you
kindly provide authorisation from that person or organisation thanks.

Yours sincerely
Procedures & Support Team
New Zealand Customs Service

-----Original Message-----
From: Alan Heward [mailto:[OIA #614 email]]
Sent: Sunday, 21 October 2012 17:36
To: feedback
Subject: Official Information Act request - Details regarding the
siezure of Weetabix company products

Dear New Zealand Customs Service,

I am interested in information regarding the case of a Palmerston
North retailer "Tastes of the UK", and seizure by Customs of all
products from the Weetabix company.

1. Please provide correspondence to or from external organisations
relating to their request for Customs to seize and search the
shipment.
2. Please provide notes from Customs meetings that substantiate the
complaint, and uphold the legal position of Customs searching the
shipment on behalf of the complainant.

3. Information on what grounds Customs searched the shipment, the
veracity of the source and any checks that Customs performed to
validate the authenticity of the intelligence received.

4. How a 'search for drugs' can result in other unrelated
merchandise being siezed.

5. Any documentation Customs has reviewed, or legal advice sought,
that equates the company name Weetabix, with the Sanitarium owned
product brand of Weet-bix.

Yours faithfully,
Alan Heward

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[OIA #614 email]

Is [email address] the wrong address for Official
Information Act requests to New Zealand Customs Service? If so,
please contact us using this form:
http://fyi.org.nz/help/contact

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be
published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
http://fyi.org.nz/help/officers

If you find this service useful as an OIA officer, please ask your
web manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

The information contained in this e-mail may be privileged and/or sensitive. It is intended for the addressee only and is not necessarily the official view or communication of the New Zealand Customs Service. If you are not the intended recipient you are asked to not disclose, copy, or make use of its contents. If received in error you are asked to destroy this e-mail and contact the sender immediately. Your assistance is appreciated.

hide quoted sections

Dear Mr Heward

Thank you for your two emails concerning the requests for official
information that you emailed to Customs on 20 and 21 October 2012.

Your two requests were received on 23 October 2012; this being the first
business day following Labour weekend when you sent your requests.
Saturdays, Sundays and Labour Day are not working days within terms of
the Official Information Act 2012.

The information you requested is due to be signed out to you by 20
November 2012.

Yours sincerely
Procedures & Support Team
New Zealand Customs Service

-----Original Message-----
From: Alan Heward [mailto:[OIA #614 email]]
Sent: Saturday, 17 November 2012 22:25
To: IPC Procedures and Support
Subject: RE: Official Information Act request - Details regarding the
siezure of Weetabix company products

Dear IPC Procedures and Support,

I was anticipating your prompt response to my OIA request by Friday
16th. Can you advise why there is a delay, I trust this is nothing
to do with external factors such as a court case, or Sanitarium
applying undue influence? Please advise when I'm likely to hear the
results of my request.
Thanks
Yours sincerely,

Alan Heward

-----Original Message-----

Dear Mr Heward

This email acknowledges receipt of your request for official
information
held by the New Zealand Customs Service. Requests for official
information are processed within 20 working days from the time of
their
receipt.

Would you kindly provide verification that you are a person
entitled to
request official information as per section 12 of the official
Information Act 1982 please.

Persons entitled to request official information can be any of the
following:

(a) a New Zealand citizen; or

(b) a permanent resident of New Zealand; or

(c) a person who is in New Zealand; or

(d) a body corporate which is incorporated in New Zealand; or

(e) a body corporate which is incorporated outside New Zealand but
which
has a place of business in New Zealand,-

A copy of the biographical page of your passport or confirmation of
your
residential address in New Zealand should suffice in this respect
if you
are a New Zealand citizen or are resident in New Zealand.

Also, if you are requesting information on behalf of a person or
organisation for who you are requesting information about, would
you
kindly provide authorisation from that person or organisation
thanks.

Yours sincerely
Procedures & Support Team
New Zealand Customs Service

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Please use this email address for all replies to this request:
[OIA #614 email]

Disclaimer: This message and any reply that you make will be
published on the internet. Our privacy and copyright policies:
http://fyi.org.nz/help/officers

If you find this service useful as an OIA officer, please ask your
web manager to link to us from your organisation's FOI page.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

The information contained in this e-mail may be privileged and/or sensitive. It is intended for the addressee only and is not necessarily the official view or communication of the New Zealand Customs Service. If you are not the intended recipient you are asked to not disclose, copy, or make use of its contents. If received in error you are asked to destroy this e-mail and contact the sender immediately. Your assistance is appreciated.

hide quoted sections

Dear Mr Heward

Please find attached the information you have requested below as
follows:

Response letter to your request

Three files containing information released by the New Zealand Customs
Service.

Yours sincerely

Procedures & Support Team

New Zealand Customs Service

From: Alan Heward [mailto:[OIA #614 email]]

Sent: Sunday, 21 October 2012 17:36

To: feedback

Subject: Official Information Act request - Details regarding the
siezure of Weetabix company products

Dear New Zealand Customs Service,

I am interested in information regarding the case of a Palmerston

North retailer "Tastes of the UK", and seizure by Customs of all

products from the Weetabix company.

1. Please provide correspondence to or from external organisations

relating to their request for Customs to seize and search the

shipment.

2. Please provide notes from Customs meetings that substantiate the

complaint, and uphold the legal position of Customs searching the

shipment on behalf of the complainant.

3. Information on what grounds Customs searched the shipment, the

veracity of the source and any checks that Customs performed to

validate the authenticity of the intelligence received.

4. How a 'search for drugs' can result in other unrelated

merchandise being siezed.

5. Any documentation Customs has reviewed, or legal advice sought,

that equates the company name Weetabix, with the Sanitarium owned

product brand of Weet-bix.

Yours faithfully,

Alan Heward

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Please use this email address for all replies to this request:

[OIA #614 email]

The information contained in this e-mail may be privileged and/or sensitive. It is intended for the addressee only and is not necessarily the official view or communication of the New Zealand Customs Service. If you are not the intended recipient you are asked to not disclose, copy, or make use of its contents. If received in error you are asked to destroy this e-mail and contact the sender immediately. Your assistance is appreciated.

hide quoted sections