05/05/2025
Customs says officers at Wellington International Airport have stopped a 35 year-old Indonesian passenger from smuggling five cartons of cigarettes through security.
The passenger had hidden 1620 cigarettes underneath their shirt, Customs said. The hidden cigarettes had a value of $2447.
The man had arrived in Wellington off a flight from Jakarta via Sydney last Wednesday, allegedly concealing the tobacco within his clothing.
Customs said he had been a frequent traveller to New Zealand, “having been employed by and working on New Zealand flagged fishing vessels”.
“The man’s Work to Residence visa has since been cancelled and he has been refused entry into New Zealand,” Customs said.
Passengers travelling into New Zealand are limited to 50 cigarettes, or 50g of tobacco products through the duty-free process.
Tobacco products exceeding the limit must be declared, with duty and GST being added to the excess amount.
The Customs website states, “If you fail to declare tobacco, it will be seized. You could face further action, including a fine or prosecution.”