What are the authorities doing to stop illicit trade?
In 2025, 2025 Ministerial Advisory Group on Transnational and Serious Organised Crime found “[h]igh duties on cigarettes has made the importation of black market tobacco (undeclared and uncustomed tobacco) a massive growth industry. Organised criminal groups are exploiting the lower risks involved with importing tobacco, compared to drugs, to profit off the New Zealand public and to take those profits offshore.
The Australian experience is that violence and other crime normally associated with control of the illicit drug market will soon emerge in New Zealand in relation to black market tobacco, as this lucrative industry becomes more competitive, placing additional demands on the New Zealand justice system.”
Since 2022, a dedicated tobacco team has proven successful by investigating and prosecuting the illicit import or distribution of tobacco products and to counter tax evasion from tobacco smuggling. During 2024/25, Customs Officers arrested 10 people on 66 charges related to the manufacture, possession, and distribution of illicit tobacco, including revenue evasion and other criminal acts
In 2025, Customs confirmed a new Border Security Bill is being drafted to strengthen its ability to counter transnational and serious organised crime. The legislation is being shaped by insights from the independent Ministerial Advisory Group on Transnational, Serious and Organised Crime, and updates to the multi-agency transnational and organised crime strategy.
You can continue to follow these important announcements in relation to the fight against illicit tobacco being introduced via the Stop Illicit website at: www.stopillicit.co.nz.
Illicit tobacco is tobacco that is grown, manufactured and/or produced in New Zealand without an appropriate excise licence, or imported into the domestic market without customs duty being paid.
The illegal tobacco trade falls broadly into four categories.