Red tape perks for FrontLine partners

By ELLEN READ

Businesses can reduce the red tape surrounding their import and export activities in exchange for helping the Customs Department protect New Zealand's borders under a scheme unveiled by Deputy Prime Minister Jim Anderton yesterday.

FrontLine is a joint business-Customs programme aimed at streamlining and protecting border operations.

The first three businesses to sign up to the programme were NZ Yachts, TNT Express Worldwide (NZ) and the Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Federation.

More are expected to join in coming months.

"Customs is doing an excellent job stopping drugs and other contraband being smuggled into New Zealand, but local companies can help by keeping their eyes open and taking precautions to prevent their imports and exports being used for smuggling," Mr Anderton said.

"The new partnerships programme between Customs and business means Customs gets partners in protecting our borders while businesses get tailored deals that reduce red tape."

For example, NZ Yachts imports components which it then exports as part of completed yachts.

At present the company must pay GST on the imported components, which it then claims back once a completed yacht is exported.

Under FrontLine it can register the parts it imports with Customs and avoid having money tied up for several months.

In return, the business will learn how to identify risk packages and activities and pass on any suspicions to Customs.