Increased penalties for quarantine violations in New Zealand
The penalties for bringing risk goods into New Zealand without proper biosecurity clearance have been increased dramatically. Any person convicted of knowingly:
- having unauthorized goods (not properly cleared by an inspector);
- buying, selling, exchanging or otherwise disposing of unauthorized goods; or
- tampering with or removing without an inspector's permission seized risk goods
will be liable to imprisonment for up to five years, a fine up to 100 000,- NZD or both. The penalty rises to 200 000,- NZD if a corporation is convicted of any of these offences.
Sources
"Clearance of imported risk goods" (1993)
Sentinel No. 32, (1993-09-15), p. 2