A substantial tobacco smuggling operation from Tonga to New Zealand, that allegedly amounted to around $1.8 million, in evaded tobacco excise was intercepted in an investigation by New Zealand Customs.

A  59-year-old Auckland businessman has been arrested and faces multiple charges, including defrauding Customs revenue and importing prohibited goods.

NZ Customs stated on 17 November, they mounted the operation early in 2022 after seizing nearly 450 kilos of illicit tobacco from Tonga in November 2021, and after reports from members of the public about black market ‘tapaka’ or ‘Tongan chop’

Investigations in October 2022 found another shipment of over 593 kilos of tobacco smuggled in a shipping container of food items sent from Tonga to Auckland.

“All up the two shipments totalled more than 1,000 kilos of illegal loose leaf tobacco.”

Customs’ investigations indicated these consignments were destined for sale locally in New Zealand, particularly amongst the Pasifika community.

The warning from NZ Customs is that people buying cheap tobacco from other people’s homes or acquaintances should be sceptical of sellers’ claims that the tobacco is legal.

Permit

NZ Customs stated that to import or bring tobacco products into New Zealand, must comply with New Zealand laws, and must pay all relevant taxes on imported tobacco at the border.

“From 25 May 2022, water-pipe tobacco is a prohibited import requiring a permit to import.

“This means it is treated in the same manner as tobacco products, tobacco leaf and tobacco refuse that became a prohibited import from 1 July 2020 unless a permit to import has been issued by the New Zealand Customs Service.

“Water-pipe tobacco includes flavoured, hookah, shisha, molasses and fruit tobacco.

“Permits are approved and issued by Customs, which means if you want to import any kind of tobacco product including as a gift, you will have to apply for a permit.

“You need to have the permit before you import the goods. If the goods arrive and you do not have a permit, the goods will be seized and destroyed. Permits are issued free of charge,” it stated.

Meanwhile, a permit is not required to import cigars, cigarillos, chewing tobacco, snuff and snus - these exempted items can be imported through international mail.