Established in February 2008, the medal was first presented 5 May 2008 by then Prime Minister Helen Clark.

The medal is circular and made of silver metal.

On the obverse is the crowned effigy of the Sovereign.

The reverse bears a representation of the Badge of the New Zealand Customs Service.

The medal hangs from a 32 mm wide ribbon of 5 stripes of dark blue at the edges, light blue in the centre, bordered by yellow.