Using information collected by the Australian Border Force, Customs can now preclear 98% of cruise ship passengers travelling across the Tasman, before they arrive in New Zealand.

Precleared passengers no longer have to present their passport upon arrival in New Zealand. Instead, a Customs Officer will just screen their arrival card.

Customs’ Deputy Comptroller – Operations, Bill Perry, says the speed of the new process means that precleared cruise ship passengers will have minimal or no wait to have their arrival card screened.

“Customs has been working closely with the Australian Department of Home Affairs, the Australian Border Force and Immigration New Zealand to enhance the arrival experience for cruise ship passengers travelling to New Zealand from Australia.”

“This has been a real trans-Tasman team effort to deliver a faster, smoother process. The Australian Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Border Force have been outstanding to work with and this improvement would not have been possible without them.”

“The new process allows Customs to focus its border resources on those cruise ship passengers who present a risk, and it allows us to better manage the expected growth in cruise ship passenger numbers.”