New Zealand

More complaints about fine for prohibited goods

14:44 pm on 10 March 2010

Complaints about fines issued for bringing prohibited goods into New Zealand almost doubled last year.

In the financial year to June 2009, the revenue collected from infringement fees reached $742,000.

Complaints about fines, made to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, leapt from 121 in 2008 to 216 in 2009.

By far the most common category to trigger a fine was fruit, although footwear, meat and honey also featured prominently.

The minimum fee for bringing in undeclared and risky goods is $200.