Tourism Industry Aotearoa expresses concern over border processing levy amendments

9 June, 2021

Tourism Industry Aotearoa (TIA) stated (08-Jun-2021) the New Zealand Customs Service and New Zealand's Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) are reviewing the border processing levy (BPL), which was introduced in 2016. The BPL is currently NZD20.11 (USD14.46) each for air passengers and NZD21.96 (USD15.79) for cruise passengers. The consultation document released by Customs and MPI proposes a range of options from no change through to an option which would see the levy increase on 01-Dec-2021 to NZD160.76 (USD115.58) per air passenger and NZD70.23 (USD50.49) for cruise passengers. TIA CEO Chris Roberts stated: "We risk piling cost upon cost and imposing a significant handbrake on reviving our visitor economy", with TIA stating the BPL needs to be left as it is for the foreseeable future. [more - original PR]