Customs Concessions

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30961, 18 January 1966, Page 10

Customs Concessions

The withdrawal of some customs concessions hitherto extended to New Zealand travellers returning to the Dominion has caught some people unawares. Under regulations made with the authority of the Customs Act travellers enjoyed, until this month, dispensations for the importing of cameras, furs, radios, television sets and tape recorders. The curtailment of these concessions was announced by the Minister of Customs five months ago, but the relief from import duty on these items was apparently better known than the decision to reduce the limits of this relief. The Customs Department cannot be held responsible for ignorance of the changes; it took reasonable steps to make the intentions of the Government known. Travellers cannot expect shopkeepers abroad to advise on New Zealand customs regulations and even if salesmen have the necessary information they are not very likely to make much of it if it will upset a sale. So the traveller who is lucky enough or rich enough to acquire goods at low prices abroad must look after his own interests. Before embarking on a shopping expedition overseas, he should consult the New Zealand embassy or high commission in the country he is visiting, or a travel agent, about the regulations that may affect him. Import duties are levied to protect New Zealand industry and commerce or simply to produce revenue by a convenient means. Changes in the regulations concerning the concessions allowed to New Zealanders returning from abroad were made because, in the opinion of the Minister of Customs, the earlier concessions were being improperly used. Such changes can be made at any time and travellers would be wise to obtain information on current duties before returning from overseas. The responsibility for doing so can only be theirs.