Note: Since this news item was published, NZ Customs have now extended the date for a further 12 months. Cruisers with vessels in New Zealand under the Temporary Import Scheme (TIE) will receive an extension until 30 June 2023.

Published 2 years ago

Update:

Since this news item was published, NZ Customs have now extended the date for a further 12 months. Cruisers with vessels in New Zealand under the Temporary Import Scheme (TIE) will receive an extension until 30 June 2023.

Original news item:

New Zealand’s COVID-19 response has restricted the movement of private vessels currently in New Zealand on a Temporary Import Entry (TIE).

In January 2022 the New Zealand Customs Service advised owners that “because some of these craft may not be able to meet their agreed date of departure, the New Zealand Customs Service has made a decision to provide a blanket extension to those TIEs affected.”

The notice from the NZ Customs Service states:  “If the TIE for your private yacht/vessel is covered by the current extension until 30 June 2021 or is due to expire after that date, a further extension has been given until 30 June 2022. June 30th 2022 will be the final date for export for any vessels affected by the COVID-19 response. Any extensions beyond this date will be considered on a case-by-case basis.  All crew members should have valid NZ visa permits and must approach Immigration NZ to ensure the validity of the visas. If you have any questions or require further clarification, please email NZ Customs.“

In February, the New Zealand government announced a staged re-opening of its borders culminating in foreign travellers being allowed to return to the country in the latter part of 2022.

However, despite the air border regulations being announced, the maritime border restrictions for New Zealand remain the same. At this stage only NZ registered vessels with NZ passport holding crew are allowed to enter without applying for a laborious exemption and visa application process.

NZ Customs have also advised that International vessels here on the extended Temporary Import Entry will have to leave by 30 June 2022 or face a hefty duty and GST bill.

“This is very concerning for owners of boats that are stuck in NZ while they have been unable to return since the border closed early in 2020,” according to Viki Moore from Island Cruising NZ.

Viki has been helping yachties lobby the various officials in an attempt to gain an exemption or the ability to enter the country early to enable them to prepare their vessels for a safe passage out of the country.

“I have been advising boat owners with vessels in NZ that are here on the TIE but with crew are stuck overseas to write to the NZ Customs Department and apply for an extension,” Viki said.

“Many have already done so, but no one has had a reply as yet from either NZ Customs or Immigration Departments.”

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Noonsite has not independently verified this information.