Over four tonnes of tobacco have been abandoned at airports in the 12 months since duty free limits were dropped on November 1 last year.

The duty-free restricts passengers to 50 cigarettes or 50 grams of tobacco.

Around 390kg left by passengers at Customs awaits destruction. Photo: Supplied.

Passengers are given the choice of paying duty and GST on any extra tobacco if they wish, or trashing it in a Customs bin, says Customs Minister Nicky Wagner.

'Passengers choosing not to pay duty dumped almost 3.8 tonnes of tobacco – almost enough to fill a 20-foot shipping container – in Customs bins at international airports.”

Travellers have got the message, says Nicky.

Almost 500kg of tobacco per month was abandoned in the first months after the lower limit came into effect, but in September this year just over 250kg was left at airports.

'I'm pleased the duty free change is deterring travellers from bringing tobacco through the border – this contributes to reducing the harm caused by smoking and the government's goal of making New Zealand smoke-free by 2025.

'Hundreds of kilograms of tobacco sent by mail also end up as unclaimed cargo if importers don't pay the duty. This all adds to the significant quantity of tobacco that Customs destroys on a regular basis.

'The change was signalled well in advance and passengers have the opportunity to declare and discard excess tobacco when they arrive. People who don't must pay the additional duty and GST.

'With Christmas and the summer travel season just ahead of us, this is a timely reminder to everyone that there is a 50 cigarette or 50 gram duty free limit for arriving passengers, and no gift allowance for tobacco sent by mail.”

Customs recorded around 10,100 transactions for people who chose to pay duty, with the total revenue collected in the year adding up to $1.62 million.

The photo shows approximately 390kg of tobacco left by passengers as a result of the tobacco duty free changes.