28568 (2025). Hon Jenny Salesa to the Minister of Customs

28568 (2025). Hon Jenny Salesa to the Minister of Customs: How many incidents, if any, have been recorded since 2022 where individuals attempted to export undeclared or suspicious funds, and how many led to successful restraint?

Hon Casey Costello: I am advised by the New Zealand Customs Service that there were 409 attempts to export undeclared cash or bearer negotiable instruments for the period 1 January 2022 to 4 June 2025. Of the 409 attempts, Customs retained undeclared cash on 35 of these occasions, under the Customs and Excise Act 2018. There are various reasons why cash is undeclared at the border, ranging from unintentional misunderstanding of reporting obligations to deliberate concealing of cash. Customs officers follow national consistency guidelines that apply an enforcement response proportionate to the circumstances and intent of the person carrying the cash. The range of enforcement responses starts with education and written warning, and graduates towards arrest and seizure. Any property restrained under the Criminal Proceeds (Recovery) Act 2009 is the responsibility of the New Zealand Police.