19647 Explain the Customs Investigations Unit and Its Investigative Processes
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Title / Explain the Customs Investigations unit and its investigative processes
Level / 3 / Credits / 4
Purpose / People credited with this unit standard are able to: describe the purpose and structure of the Customs Investigations unit; explain the relationships that enable the effective performance of the Customs investigations function; and explain the procedures and processes involved in a Customs investigation and resources available to support a Customs investigation.
Classification / Public Sector Services > Border Management
Available grade / Achieved
Explanatory notes
1Performance in relation to the outcomes and evidence requirements must comply with current legislation, policies and procedures, including:
Customs and Excise Act 1996;
Misuse of Drugs Act 1975;
Misuse of Drugs Amendment Act 1978;
New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990;
Trade Marks Act 2002;
Copyright Act 1994;
The State Services Code of Conduct, Standards of Integrity and Conduct (available from
New Zealand Customs Service Code of Conduct (available from NZ Customs Service, PO Box 2218, Wellington 6140,
2Agencies include but are not limited to New Zealand Immigration Service, New Zealand Police, Accident Compensation Corporation, Work and Income New Zealand, Inland Revenue Department.
Outcomes and evidence requirements
Outcome 1
Describe the purpose and structure of the Customs Investigations unit.
Evidence requirements
1.1The structure and functions of the Customs Investigations unit are explained.
RangeFraud and Prohibitions, Drug Investigations unit.
1.2Legislation that impacts on a Customs investigation is identified.
Rangeincludes but is not limited to – Customs and Excise Act 1996, Misuse of Drugs Act 1975; Misuse of Drugs Amendment Act 1978, Trade Marks Act 2002, Copyright Act 1994, New Zealand Bill of Rights Act 1990.
1.3The priorities and outputs utilised to measure the Customs Investigations unit’s functions are identified.
Outcome 2
Explain the relationships that enable the effective performance of the Customs investigations function.
Evidence requirements
2.1The purpose and role of the Customs investigation unit’s function is explained in terms of their co-relation to Customs border protection responsibility.
Rangeproactive, reactive.
2.2The critical relationships established by the Customs Investigations Unit and their impact on investigation activities are explained.
Rangeinternal relationships – Customs business units (Airports and Marine, Goods Management, Intelligence);
external relationships may include but are not limited to – Police, other government agencies.
2.3The protocols of agency liaison are explained.
Rangeincludes but is not limited to – memorandums of understanding, agreements between Customs and Police.
Outcome 3
Explain the procedures and processes involved in a Customs investigation and resources available to support a Customs investigation.
Evidence requirements
3.1Processes involved in a fraud investigation are explained.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – debt recovery, prosecution.
3.2Procedures for a drug investigation are explained.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – evidence, prosecution.
3.3Processes applicable to a general investigation are explained.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – prohibited goods (importation and exportation), seizure.
3.4Resources that are available to support Customs investigations are identified.
Rangemay include but is not limited to – forensics, recording
equipment (video and audio), communications equipment.
Status and review information
Registration date / 16 July 2010Date version published / 16 July 2010
Planned review date / 1 February 2015
Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP) reference / 0121
This AMAP can be accessed at
Please note
Providers must be granted consent to assess against standards (accredited) by NZQA, or an inter-institutional body with delegated authority for quality assurance, before they can report credits from assessment against unit standards or deliver courses of study leading to that assessment.
Industry Training Organisations must be granted consent to assess against standards by NZQA before they can register credits from assessment against unit standards.
Providers and Industry Training Organisations, which have been granted consent and which are assessing against unit standards must engage with the moderation system that applies to those standards.
Consent requirements and an outline of the moderation system that applies to this standard are outlined in the Accreditation and Moderation Action Plan (AMAP). The AMAP also includes useful information about special requirements for organisations wishing to develop education and training programmes, such as minimum qualifications for tutors and assessors, and special resource requirements.
Comments on this unit standard
Please contact The Skills Organisation if you wish to suggest changes to the content of this unit standard.
The Skills OrganisationSSB Code 100401 / New Zealand Qualifications Authority 2018