ISSN 1175-396X

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CUSTOMS FACT SHEET

» IMPORTANT INFORMATION

PERMITS TO IMPORT ALERTS Some goods require approval to import from a government department or agency. This fact sheet outlines the import prohibitions and restrictions that are covered by alerts on CusMod — the New Zealand Customs Service’s computerised entry processing system. WHAT ELECTRONIC COMPLIANCE CHECKS ARE UNDERTAKEN FOR PERMITS?

CusMod includes a provision for entries in the CUSDEC format to be subject to electronic compliance checks to ensure the importer/customs broker has obtained an approval to import from the appropriate agency. Electronic compliance checks will be undertaken for approvals issued by: » Ministry for Primary Industries » Ministry of Health/Office of Radiation Safety. The New Zealand Customs Service or the policy agency may audit the use of permits that are subject to the electronic compliance checks. This may include the provision of information on the details declared on the entry for which the permit was presented to Customs. HOW SHOULD PERMIT NUMBERS BE USED?

The permit number(s) for the above organisations must be entered onto the entry as follows: » Where the permit is for all of the goods covered by the entry, the permit number should be entered in the permit number field of the header to the entry. Up to ten approval numbers may be entered in this section of the entry.

» Where the permit does not cover all of the goods on the entry, the permit number should be entered into the appropriate permit number field on the detailed line of the entry. Up to five approval numbers may be entered into each detailed line. The inclusion of the permit number forms a part of the entry and declaration made by the importer/broker to Customs. The permit number must be used to clear the goods for which it was issued by the policy agency. Misuse of the permit number will be a false declaration and will be treated seriously by the New Zealand Customs Service. WHAT PERMIT DECLARATIONS ARE IMPORTERS/AGENTS REQUIRED TO MAKE ON GOODS SUBJECT TO IMPORT RESTRICTIONS?

The New Zealand Customs Service endeavours to ensure that its alerts on CusMod for permit requirements are targeted specifically at goods requiring the permit. In a number of instances, the alerts include the provision for the importer/broker to declare that the goods are subject to an import restriction. These are for: » used equipment and machinery requiring Ministry for Primary Industries clearance » controlled drugs » hazardous wastes.

Details of the codes that are to be entered into the field are set out overleaf. In instances where an approval to import and so on must be presented to Customs (for example, approval for controlled drugs), the importer/broker will receive a message after the entry has been accepted with Customs stating that approval to import is required. FURTHER INFORMATION

» Fact Sheet 2—United Nations Export and Import Sanctions » Fact Sheet 3—Ozone Layer Protection Act 1996 » Fact Sheet 5—Import Prohibitions and Restrictions » Fact Sheet 12—Intellectual Property Rights—Trade Marks and Copyright » Fact Sheet 24—Controls on the Importation of Hazardous Substances » Import Permit List. These documents are available on the Customs website www.customs.govt.nz or by contacting the Customs National Contact Centre on 0800 428 786 (0800 4 CUSTOMS). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Contact your nearest office of the New Zealand Customs Service, visit the Customs website www.customs.govt.nz or call Customs on 0800 428 786 (0800 4 CUSTOMS).

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CUSTOMS FACT SHEET 9

WHAT IMPORT PROHIBITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS ARE COVERED BY ALERTS? Agricultural products Ministry for Primary Industries

A wide range of agricultural products (see Import Permit List) requires Ministry for Primary Industries’ clearance to import. The Ministry’s biosecurity clearance number (MPI, AF1, AF2, AF3, AF5, AF6, or AF9 + permit number) must be entered in the permit number field of the import entry.

Agricultural items — used goods Ministry for Primary Industries

A wide range of used equipment and machinery, such as used agricultural equipment, (see Import Permit List) requires Ministry for Primary Industries’ approval to import. In the majority of instances, new and used equipment is not separately classified within the tariff. •

For new goods, enter the code NEW in the prohibited field of the entry.

•

For used equipment and machinery, enter the code MUD in the prohibited goods field, and the Ministry’s biosecurity clearance number in the permit number field of the entry.

Anti-personnel mines Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is required under the Anti-Personnel Mines Prohibition Act 1998 to import anti-personnel mines. The approval to import must be presented to Customs.

Asbestos in its raw fibrous state Environmental Protection Authority

Approval from the Environmental Protection Authority is required under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 to import asbestos in its raw fibrous state. The approval to import must be produced to Customs.

Chemicals Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is required under the Chemical Weapons (Prohibition) Act 1996 to import chemical weapons and a range of chemicals that may be used in the manufacture of chemical weapons. A list of the chemicals that are covered by the Chemical Weapons (Prohibition) Act and their classification in the Tariff can be obtained from the Customs website www.customs.govt.nz or by contacting the Customs National Contact Centre on 0800 428 786 (0800 4 CUSTOMS). Chemicals covered by the Act are set out in three schedules:

Cigarette lighters Ministry of Consumer Affairs

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Schedule 1 — the permit to import from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade should be presented to Customs.

•

Schedules 2 and 3 — –

for chemicals subject to the Chemical Weapons (Prohibition) Act 1996, enter CWA in the prohibited field and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade permit number (MFA + permit number) in the permit number field of the entry.

–

for chemicals not subject to the Act, enter NCW in the prohibited field of the entry.

The Product Safety Standards Regulations (Cigarette Lighters) Regulations 1998 require that: •

all disposable lighters, and

•

refillable lighters with a Customs value of less than NZ$3.50

must have been tested and comply with the child resistant requirements of the American Consumer Product Safety Standard for cigarette lighters. The certificate of compliance certifying that the lighters comply with the American Standard must be produced to Customs. Cluster munitions Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is required under the Cluster Munitions Prohibition Act 2009 to import cluster munitions. The approval to import must be presented to Customs.

Controlled drugs (Misuse of Drugs Act 1975) Ministry of Health

Approval from the Ministry of Health is required under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 to import controlled drugs (such as methadone, morphine, and pethidine). A list of controlled drugs is available on the Customs website www.customs.govt.nz or by contacting the Customs National Contact Centre on 0800 428 786 (0800 4 CUSTOMS). •

For non-controlled drugs, enter the code NCD in the prohibited field of the entry.

•

For controlled drugs, enter the code CDS in the prohibited field of the entry. The Ministry of Health approval to import must be presented to Customs.

Endangered, threatened, and exploited species Department of Conservation

Approval from the Department of Conservation is required to import goods that are covered by the Trade in Endangered Species Act 1989 (such as ivory). The approval to import should be presented to Customs.

Explosives Environmental Protection Authority

Approval from the Environmental Protection Authority is required under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 to import explosives. The explosives permit to import must be presented to Customs.

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Permits to Import Alerts

Firearms, parts of firearms, and restricted weapons New Zealand Police

Approval from the New Zealand Police is required under the Arms Act 1983 to import firearms, parts of firearms and restricted weapons (eg, mace, pepper sprays, stun guns, mines, grenades, and certain airguns). The Police permit to import must be presented to Customs.

Food Ministry for Primary Industries

(a) Food A range of food products (see Import Permit List) require the Ministry for Primary Industries’ approval to import. The Authority’s permit number to import (for example, FSA and permit number) must be entered in the permit number field of the import entry. (b) For beef and beef products: •

For products that contain any beef or beef derived ingredient including gelatin and tallow (but excluding all milk and milk products) enter the code BEF in the prohibited field and the import permit number in the permit number field of the import entry.

•

For products that do not contain any beef or beef derived ingredient including gelatin and tallow (but excluding all milk and milk products) enter the code NBF in the prohibited field of the import entry.

Applications to import food, beef, and beef products should be made to MPI’s Verification Agency. Telephone 09 909 6210 or 09 909 6211, Facsimile 09 909 6208 (+64 21 909 6208 from outside New Zealand), Email [email protected] Hazardous waste Environmental Protection Authority

Approval from the Environmental Protection Authority is required under the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No. 2) 2004, to import hazardous wastes that are covered by the provisions of the Basel Convention. A list of hazardous wastes that require approval to import is available on the Customs website www.customs.govt.nz or by contacting the Customs National Contact Centre on 0800 428 786 (0800 4 CUSTOMS). •

For non-hazardous wastes, enter the code NHW in the prohibited field of the entry.

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For hazardous wastes, enter the code HAW in the prohibited field of the entry. The approval to import must be presented to Customs.

Offensive weapons New Zealand Police

Approval from the New Zealand Police under the Customs Import Prohibition Order 2011 is required to import a range of offensive weapons, such as flick knives. The permit to import issued by the Police must be produced to Customs.

Ozone-depleting substances Environmental Protection Authority

Approval from the Environmental Protection Authority is required under the Ozone Layer Protection Act 1996 to import: •

a range of CFCs, HCFCs, HBFCs, and halons

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methyl chloroform

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carbon tetrachloride

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methyl bromide

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a range of aerosol sprays, fire extinguishers and dry cleaning machines, and plastic foams and other goods such as refrigerators that contain ozone-depleting substances (See Fact Sheet 3—Ozone Layer Protection Act 1996). (a) Extinguishers in aircraft and ships •

For aircraft and ships with fire extinguishers that contain or are designed to use CFCs or halons, enter OZO in the prohibited field of the entry. The permit number (EPA + permit number) must also be entered in the permit number field of the import entry.

•

For aircraft and ships which do not contain these fire extinguishers, enter NOZ in the prohibited field of the entry.

(b) Dry cleaning machines •

For dry cleaning machines that contain, or are designed to use CFCs or halons, enter OZO in the prohibited field of the entry. The permit number (EPA + permit number) must be entered in the permit number field of the import entry.

•

For dry cleaning machines which do not contain or use CFCs or halons, enter NOZ in the prohibited goods field of the entry.

(c) Other ozone depleting substances and goods (such as CFCs, halons, methyl bromide, aerosols, fire extinguishers). The permit to import issued by the EPA must be presented to Customs.

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CUSTOMS FACT SHEET 9

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) covered by the Stockholm Convention Environmental Protection Authority

Approval from the Environmental Protection Authority is required under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 to import persistent organic pollutants that are covered by the Stockholm Convention.

Radioactive material Ministry of Health/Office of Radiation Safety

The Office of Radiation Safety (ORS) approval is required under the Radiation Protection Act 1965 to import radioactive material. The alert will not hit against shipments imported by importers approved by the ORS to import radioactive material. For shipments by other importers, the permit number issued by the ORS (code ORS + permit number) must be entered into the permit number field of the import entry.

Rough diamonds — United Nations sanctions Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Rough diamonds may only be imported into New Zealand in accordance with the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme. Importers must present their Kimberley Process certificate to Customs.

Rubber and plastic hot water bottles Ministry of Consumer Affairs

Importers of rubber and plastic hot water bottles must comply with the requirements of the Unsafe Goods (Hot Water Bottles) Notice 2008. This can be achieved by producing to Customs:

The approval to import must be presented to Customs.

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A test certificate certifying that the rubber or plastic hot water bottles comply with “BS 1970:2001 or BS 1970:2006 Hot water bottles manufactured from rubber and PVC specification”. The test certificate must be less than 12 months old and from a laboratory accredited to ISO17025; and

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A statutory declaration that the test certificate relates to the rubber or plastic hot water bottles being imported.

Toothfish Ministry for Primary Industries

The Customs Import Prohibition (Toothfish) Order 2009 prohibits the importation of toothfish unless it is covered by an appropriately completed catch document or export/re-export document issued by a party to the CCAMLR Convention. Information on these documents is available to Customs on the CCAMLR website. So that Customs may check that the catch document or export/re-export document has been completed please enter the shipment’s document number and export ID number in goods description field of the import entry.

Toxic substances Environmental Protection Authority

Approval from Environmental Protection Authority is required under the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act 1996 to import children’s crayons finger paints and watercolour paints and PCBs. The permit to import number (MOH + permit number) must be entered in the permit number field of the import entry.

Trout and trout products Department of Conservation

Approval from the Minister of Conservation is required under the Customs Import Prohibition (Trout) Order 2010 to import trout and trout products. The import prohibition does not apply to consignments of less than 10 kilograms, where the trout or trout product is not intended for sale in New Zealand (such as for private consumption, gift, and so on). The approval to import should be presented to Customs.

United Nations sanctions Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is required to import goods subject to United Nations import sanctions. The United Nations sanctions have been imposed against the following countries: •

Cote d’Ivoire — diamonds

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Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) — arms, military equipment and related materiels, spare parts for these goods and weapons of mass destruction ballistic-related goods

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Iraq — Cultural property that has been illegally removed from the Iraq National Museum and other locations in Iraq

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Iran — (a) Arms and related materiels of all types including weapons and ammunition and spare parts for these goods, and nuclvear weapon, missile, or enrichment-related goods. (b) Entities (persons and companies) importing goods from Iran (other than personal effects and gifts) must be registered with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The code IRN and permit number must be entered in the permit number field of the import entry.

•

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Permits to Import Alerts

Libya — Arms and related materiels of all types including weapons and ammunition and spare parts for these goods.

GENERAL

This fact sheet only gives a brief explanation of the import prohibitions and restrictions that are covered by ALERTS on CusMod. Further information on these controls may be obtained from your nearest Customs office, or the Customs National Contact Centre on 0800 428 786 (0800 4 CUSTOMS), Email: [email protected],

or the government department or agency that is responsible for issuing the approval to import. The New Zealand Customs Service or the government department or agency may audit the use of permits and declarations that are subject to the electronic compliance checks. This may include the provision of information on the details declared on the entry for which the permit was presented to

Customs. It should also be remembered that the inclusion of the permit number and declaration forms a part of the entry and declaration made by the importer/ customs broker to Customs. Misuse of the permit number will be a false declaration and will be treated seriously by the New Zealand Customs Service.

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Office of the Comptroller of Customs, PO Box 2218, Wellington Phone: +64 4 901 4500 » Fax: +64 4 901 4555 » www.customs.govt.nz ISSN 1175-396X

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Permits to Import Alerts