NZ Customs Clearance

Container free time appears in two types, demurrage and detention. Demurrage - the time containers are allowed on the NZ Port prior to carrier collection (or drop off in the case of exports).  Imports: Free time for general cargo is 3 calendar days on imports from the time the container is offloaded from the ship and the import vessel has departed. Times are generally rounded to 6am of the 4th calendar day (public holidays etc are regarded as full business days unless otherwise stipulated).  For Dangerous Goods (DG) cargo, free time is 24 hours from the time the container is offloaded from the ship and the import vessel has departed.  Exports: Free time for general cargo is 7 calendar days on exports from the time the container is delivered to the port until the arrival of the intended export vessel. Note; if a vessel is delayed in arrival pushing the ETA outside of the 7 calendar day window, demurrage will be incurred even though the original ETA was within the initial free time.  Containers delivered to or collected from the Port by carriers outside of this time period will incur demurrage charges by the Port of operation. Detention - the time containers are allowed to be available to the consignee (or consignor in the case of exports) prior to acceptance of the container to the Port of Export or Empty Container Dehire Yard for Imports.  Generally, this is 7 calendar days for most carriers by default to allow for loading/unloading, however this can be negotiated with shipping lines; please talk to the Hobbs Global Team to discuss this further.  Containers delivered to the Port of Export or the Empty Container Dehire Yard outside of this time period will incur charges by the Shipping Line.  Both demurrage and detention charges are used as a means to encourage container and operational turnover, to minimise Port backlogs/congestion and ensure containers are readily available for reuse where applicable.  If you'd like more information, or to discuss how demurrage and/or detention timings may affect your shipments, please get in contact with the Hobbs Global Team; info@hobbsglobal.co.nz.

We have received notice this morning that the cancellations of ferry sailings across Cook Strait are continuing to cause delays in freight services moving between the North South Islands. Mechanical issues to the Kaiarahi (one of the ferries) have further contributed to delays and congestion. Carriers are working tirelessly to ensure freight is moved as quickly as possible and backlogs are cleared. At this stage, backlogs are likely to continue into early next week. Please expect delays and notify your customers accordingly. If you have any questions, reach out to the Hobbs Global Team. info@hobbsglobal.co.nz

We have been issued updates from our Chinese agent overnight that new Chinese Export Compliance Regulations will take effect on 1st October 2025, with the transition period running from now until 30th September 2025. The changes bring into effect the requirement for China to have export licenses for a range of commodities and for Chinese exporters to comply with Chinese export control regulations. This includes: Mandatory Tax Registration - Exporters must register with Chinese tax authorities before Customs Clearance. Prohibition on Third-Party Declarations - The use of an unrelated company's name to declare exports is now prohibited. Dual-Title Requirement - Factories without export licenses are required to appear on Customs documentation alongside a licensed Customs Broker. Factories are to be noted as the 'production and sales entity' in these instances accompanied by tax verification details. Compliance Pathway - Factories can become compliant by adding to their business scope as an 'importer exporter', registering via China's Single Window System and/or completing the process with local tax authorities. Violations may result in Chinese shippers facing substantial fines or legal penalties. Please expect possible shipment delays in the weeks leading up to this for cargo ex-China as China operations adjust. With Christmas shipping season on our doorstep, it's important to ensure you give yourselves plenty of time for your freight to arrive ex China. As always, please reach out to the Hobbs Global Team if you have any questions or concerns. info@hobbsglobal.co.nz