Closer cooperation on Customs with the Netherlands

Last week Comptroller of New Zealand Customs, Christine Stevenson met with the Director General of Dutch Customs, Nanette van Schelven at the Hague to affirm the close relationship New Zealand has developed with the Netherlands on Customs matters.

The primary objective of this engagement was to sign the Memorandum of Arrangement that sits alongside the Customs Mutual Administrative Assistance Agreement which was signed in Wellington earlier this year.

Christine said it was a pleasure to celebrate the signing of the Agreement and the Memorandum between our two countries. Dutch Customs is a very important and valued partner of the New Zealand Customs Service.

This agreement will assist in the prevention of harm from reaching the borders of our nations and will help protect our families and communities. It will also work to underpin our cooperation on matters around trade, research and development, and the sharing of best practices, says Christine.

The Memorandum and the Agreement will enable both countries to access to important information and, which will assist in strengthening our border systems and preventing harm from reaching our communities. It will also allow us to share information on customs matters that would also provide assurance over supply chains and further help facilitate New Zealand exporter access to the Netherlands.