A German-style stick grenade has sparked a bomb scare at a Sulphur Point customs warehouse in Tauranga.

Police have evacuated the premises on Mirrielees Road and have suggested it is too early to say whether the device is genuine.

Police are in attendance at a customs warehouse at Sulphur Point. Photos: Luke Balvert.

Bomb disposal experts are currently on their way to the scene from Auckland.

Tauranga Police Seargent Tristan Murray said: "A customs official was unpacking a container that had been shipped from overseas when they came across what appears to be a grenade.

"They stopped unpacking immediately and evacuated the area, which was the right thing to do.

"We're treating it like a real grenade for now."

Staff who had earlier been evacuated from nearby Sandfords have been allowed to return to their building.

Staff outside the Mirrielees Road premises after being evacuated.