In the past month, Customs has caught three men who traded child exploitation material online and they warn other offenders will be caught.
The men were arrested in separate stings across the country.
Customs investigators identified and arrested a 29-year-old Taranaki man in mid-April after an international referral that a New Zealander had uploaded child exploitation material on to a popular social networking site.
He is charged with knowingly exporting and distributing objectionable publications, and faces a maximum of 14 years' imprisonment.
A 23-year-old man was similarly identified and arrested in Auckland after an international referral that someone had uploaded a large number of child exploitation material to a popular image-hosting site.
He is also charged with knowingly exporting objectionable publications. Further charges are likely after forensic examination of his electronic devices.
Last week a 22-year-old man was arrested in Dunedin, after a popular social messaging application reported he was sending child exploitation material to other users.
He is charged with knowingly exporting objectionable publications, with more charges likely.
Customs Investigations Manager Bruce Berry said offenders should be aware the use of web-based or social media apps doesn't guarantee them anonymity. A global network of organisations and law enforcement agencies are out to catch them and identify any child victims.
"This is not harmless browsing; it is a serious crime and will be treated as such. There is no justification for viewing, downloading, uploading, sharing or worse - producing - images or videos of innocent children being sexually abused, exploited or tortured."