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Story: Customs and tariffs

Bonded tobacco factory, around 1915

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Bonded tobacco factory, around 1915

Tobacco was a major source of customs revenue. Because duties raised the price considerably there was an incentive for smuggling. Here members of the New Zealand Tobacco Company stand outside their factory. The windows of the building were barred, and movements in and out of the factory would have been closely monitored by the Department of Customs.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Tesla Studios Collection (PAColl-3046)

Reference: 1/1-017327; G

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page

Tony Simpson, Customs and tariffs – Tariffs for revenue, 1840–1940, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/22569/bonded-tobacco-factory-around-1915 (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Tony Simpson, published 12 April 2010.