Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004
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Version as at 12 December 2025
Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004
(SR 2004/202)
Dame Sian Elias, Administrator of the Government
Order in Council
At Wellington this 28th day of June 2004
Present:
Her Excellency the Administrator of the Government in Council
Note
The Parliamentary Counsel Office has made editorial and format changes to this version using the powers under subpart 2 of Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019.
Note 4 at the end of this version provides a list of the amendments included in it.
This order is administered by the Ministry for the Environment.
Pursuant to sections 3(1) and 3A(1) of the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Act 1988, Her Excellency the Administrator of the Government, acting on the advice and with the consent of the Executive Council, makes the following order.
Contents
Order
1 Title
This order is the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004.
2 Commencement
This order comes into force on the 28th day after the date of its notification in the Gazette.
3 Revocation
(1)
The Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order 2004 (SR 2004/12) is revoked.
(2)
Clause 7 and Schedule 1 of the Customs Export Prohibition Order 2002 (SR 2002/256) are revoked.
(3)
The Import Control (Wastes) Conditional Prohibition Order 1994 (SR 1994/289) is revoked.
4 Interpretation
In this order, unless the context otherwise requires,—
Act means the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Act 1988
annual certification means a certificate provided annually to New Zealand by an importing State that—
(a)
specifies the intended use of the chemicals; and
(b)
includes a statement of the matters referred to in Article 3(2)(b)(iii) of the Stockholm Convention
banned chemical means a chemical—
(a)
within the meaning of that term as defined by Article 2 of the Rotterdam Convention; and
(b)
to which the Rotterdam Convention applies
Basel Convention means the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, done at Basel on 22 March 1989; and includes the Annexes to the Convention, and any amendments to, or substitutions of, those documents that are or will become binding on New Zealand
Basel Party means a Party to the Basel Convention
electrical and electronic waste—
(a)
means any of the following waste (whether or not it is hazardous waste):
(i)
waste that consists of electrical and electronic equipment:
(ii)
waste that consists of components of electrical and electronic equipment:
(iii)
waste arising from processing the waste referred to in subparagraph (i) or (ii); but
(b)
does not include any of the waste referred to in paragraph (a)(ii) or (iii) that is—
(i)
plastic waste; or
(ii)
household waste; or
(iii)
covered by an entry in Annex IX to the Basel Convention
exportation has the meaning set out in clause 5
hazardous waste—
(a)
(b)
includes, in relation to exportation to or importation from a Basel Party, any other waste if the Basel Party has informed the Secretariat of the Basel Convention that the waste is considered or defined as hazardous under the Basel Party’s national legislation; and
(c)
includes, in relation to exportation to or importation from an OECD member country,—
(i)
any other waste if the OECD member country has informed the OECD Secretariat that the waste is considered or defined as hazardous under the OECD member country’s legislation; and
(ii)
any other waste that has any of the hazardous characteristics specified in Part 3 of Schedule 3
household waste means any waste collected from households; and includes any residue from the incineration of that waste
importation means the arrival in New Zealand in any manner, whether lawfully or unlawfully, from a point outside New Zealand, and import and imported have corresponding meanings
non-Rotterdam Party means a State or regional economic integration organization that is not a Rotterdam Party
OECD decision—
(a)
means OECD, Decision of the Council on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Wastes Destined for Recovery Operations, OECD/LEGAL/0266; and
(b)
includes the appendices to the document referred to in paragraph (a); and
(c)
includes any amendments to, or substitutions of, the documents referred to in paragraphs (a) and (b) that are or will become binding on New Zealand
OECD member country means a Party to the Convention on the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, done at Paris on 14 December 1960
plastic waste—
(a)
means any plastic waste, including mixtures of plastic waste; but
(b)
does not include any plastic waste described in Part 2A of Schedule 3
Rotterdam chemical means a chemical to which the Rotterdam Convention applies and which is listed in Schedule 2
Rotterdam Convention means the Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade, done at Rotterdam on 10 September 1998; and includes the Annexes to the Convention, and any amendments to, or substitutions of, those documents that are or will become binding on New Zealand
Rotterdam Party means a Party to the Rotterdam Convention as defined by Article 2 of that Convention
severely restricted chemical means a chemical—
(a)
within the meaning of that term as defined by Article 2 of the Rotterdam Convention; and
(b)
to which the Rotterdam Convention applies
Stockholm chemical means a chemical to which the Stockholm Convention applies and which is listed in Schedule 1
Stockholm Convention means the Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, done at Stockholm on 23 May 2001; and includes the Annexes to the Convention, and any amendments to, or substitutions of, those documents that are or will become binding on New Zealand
Stockholm Party means a Party to the Stockholm Convention as defined by Article 2 of that Convention
Waigani Convention means the Convention to Ban the Importation into Forum Island Countries of Hazardous and Radioactive Wastes and to Control the Transboundary Movement and Management of Hazardous Wastes within the South Pacific Region, done at Waigani on 16 September 1995; and includes the Annexes to the Convention, and any amendments to, or substitutions of, those documents that are or will become binding on New Zealand
Waigani Party means a Party to the Waigani Convention
Clause 4 Act: inserted, on 1 July 2011, by section 54 of the Environmental Protection Authority Act 2011 (2011 No 14).
Clause 4 electrical and electronic waste: inserted, on 25 July 2025, by clause 4(1) of the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order (No 2) 2025 (SL 2025/153).
Clause 4 hazardous waste: replaced, on 16 August 2013, by clause 4(1) of the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order 2013 (SR 2013/315).
Clause 4 Minister: revoked, on 1 July 2011, by section 54 of the Environmental Protection Authority Act 2011 (2011 No 14).
Clause 4 non-Rotterdam Party: inserted, on 18 December 2018, by clause 4 of the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order 2018 (LI 2018/257).
Clause 4 OECD decision: replaced, on 25 July 2025, by clause 4(2) of the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order (No 2) 2025 (SL 2025/153).
Clause 4 OECD member country: inserted, on 16 August 2013, by clause 4(2) of the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order 2013 (SR 2013/315).
Clause 4 plastic waste: inserted, on 1 January 2021, by clause 4 of the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order (No 2) 2020 (LI 2020/295).
Exportation of chemicals and wastes
5 Meaning of exportation
(1)
In this order, unless the context otherwise requires, exportation means any shipment in any craft for transportation to a point outside New Zealand, and export and exported have corresponding meanings.
(2)
However, the following chemicals are not exported to a State if they are transported to that State in transit only:
(a)
a Rotterdam chemical:
(b)
a banned chemical:
(c)
a severely restricted chemical.
6 Exportation of certain chemicals and waste prohibited
(1)
The exportation of each of the following is prohibited, except as provided in clauses 7 to 11 and 14:
(b)
Rotterdam chemicals (see exception in clause 9):
(c)
banned chemicals and severely restricted chemicals (see exception in clause 10):
(d)
hazardous waste, electrical and electronic waste, plastic waste, and household waste (see exceptions in clauses 11 and 14).
(2)
However, it is outright prohibited to export hazardous waste or other waste to—
(a)
a Basel Party that has informed the Secretariat of the Basel Convention that it has prohibited importation of that waste; or
(b)
an OECD member country that has informed the OECD Secretariat that it has prohibited importation of that waste.
Clause 6: replaced, on 16 August 2013, by clause 5 of the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order 2013 (SR 2013/315).
Clause 6(1): replaced, on 25 July 2025, by clause 5 of the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order (No 2) 2025 (SL 2025/153).
7 When Stockholm chemical other than waste may be exported
(1)
A person may export a Stockholm chemical (other than waste) from New Zealand if the EPA grants the person a permit authorising the export of the chemical.
(2)
The EPA must grant a permit authorising the exportation of the Stockholm chemical if—
(a)
the chemical is exported to—
(i)
a State that is a Stockholm Party and that is permitted to use the chemical under Annex A or B of the Stockholm Convention; or
(ii)
a State that is not a Stockholm Party and that has provided an annual certification to New Zealand; and
(b)
the chemical is exported in accordance with New Zealand’s obligations under the Stockholm Convention.
(3)
Despite subclause (2), the EPA may refuse to grant a permit if section 3BC of the Act applies.
Clause 7: substituted, on 1 July 2011, by section 54 of the Environmental Protection Authority Act 2011 (2011 No 14).
8 Exception for exportation of unintentional trace contaminants and for research
The prohibition in clause 6 does not apply to the exportation of quantities of a Stockholm chemical that—
(a)
are present as unintentional trace contaminants in products and articles; or
(b)
are to be used for laboratory-scale research or as a reference standard.
9 When Rotterdam chemical may be exported
(1)
A Rotterdam chemical may be exported to a Rotterdam Party that has given notification of a final or interim decision to consent to import the chemical, if the EPA grants a permit authorising its exportation.
(2)
The EPA must consent to the exportation of a chemical referred to in subclause (1) if—
(a)
the exporter has complied with any conditions imposed by the importing party; and
(b)
the chemical has been labelled with information that advises of the risks or hazards that the chemical poses to human health or the environment or states where information about those risks or hazards can be obtained; and
(c)
the export is otherwise in conformity with New Zealand’s obligations under the Rotterdam Convention.
(3)
A Rotterdam chemical may be exported to a Rotterdam Party that has not given notification of a final or interim decision concerning the importation of the chemical if the EPA grants a permit authorising the exportation.
(4)
The EPA must consent to the exportation of a chemical referred to in subclause (3) if—
(a)
any of the following applies:
(i)
the chemical, at the time of importation, is registered as a chemical in the importing Rotterdam Party; or
(ii)
evidence exists that it has previously been used in, or imported into, the importing Rotterdam Party and no regulatory action to prohibit its use has been taken; or
(iii)
explicit consent to the import has been sought and received by the exporter through a designated national authority of the importing Rotterdam Party; and
(b)
the chemical has been labelled with information that advises of the risks or hazards that the chemical poses to human health or the environment or states where information about those risks or hazards can be obtained; and
(c)
the export is otherwise in conformity with New Zealand’s obligations under the Rotterdam Convention.
(5)
Despite subclauses (2) and (4), the EPA may refuse to grant a permit if section 3BC of the Act applies.
(6)
A Rotterdam chemical may be exported to a non-Rotterdam Party.
Clause 9(1): amended, on 1 July 2011, by section 54 of the Environmental Protection Authority Act 2011 (2011 No 14).
Clause 9(2): amended, on 1 July 2011, by section 54 of the Environmental Protection Authority Act 2011 (2011 No 14).
Clause 9(3): amended, on 1 July 2011, by section 54 of the Environmental Protection Authority Act 2011 (2011 No 14).
Clause 9(4): amended, on 1 July 2011, by section 54 of the Environmental Protection Authority Act 2011 (2011 No 14).
Clause 9(5): added, on 1 July 2011, by section 54 of the Environmental Protection Authority Act 2011 (2011 No 14).
Clause 9(6): inserted, on 18 December 2018, by clause 5 of the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order 2018 (LI 2018/257).
10 When banned chemical or severely restricted chemical may be exported
(1)
A banned chemical or severely restricted chemical may be exported to a Rotterdam Party if the EPA grants a permit authorising the exportation.
(2)
The EPA must consent to the exportation of a chemical referred to in subclause (1) if—
(a)
an export notification for that chemical has been provided to, and acknowledged by, the importing Rotterdam Party in accordance with Article 12 of the Rotterdam Convention; and
(b)
the exporter has provided all information necessary for New Zealand to comply with the information requirements for export notification under Article 12 and Annexes I and V of the Rotterdam Convention; and
(c)
the chemical has been labelled with information that advises of the risks or hazards that the chemical poses to human health or the environment or states where information about those risks or hazards can be obtained; and
(d)
the export is otherwise in conformity with New Zealand’s obligations under the Rotterdam Convention.
(3)
Despite subclause (2), the EPA may refuse to grant a permit if section 3BC of the Act applies.
Clause 10(1): amended, on 1 July 2011, by section 54 of the Environmental Protection Authority Act 2011 (2011 No 14).
Clause 10(2): amended, on 1 July 2011, by section 54 of the Environmental Protection Authority Act 2011 (2011 No 14).
Clause 10(3): added, on 1 July 2011, by section 54 of the Environmental Protection Authority Act 2011 (2011 No 14).
11 When hazardous waste, electrical and electronic waste, plastic waste, or household waste may be exported
(1)
A person may export hazardous waste, electrical and electronic waste, plastic waste, or household waste (including waste that is or contains a Stockholm chemical) from New Zealand if the EPA grants the person a permit authorising the exportation of the waste under this clause or clause 14.
(2)
The EPA must grant a permit under this clause—
(a)
for exportation to a Basel Party, other than exportation to which paragraph (b) applies, if the requirements of subclause (3) are met; or
(b)
for exportation to an OECD member country of waste intended for diversion if the requirements of subclause (4) are met.
(3)
The requirements of this subclause are that—
(a)
the common requirements are met; and
(b)
the importing State has not prohibited the importation of the waste as described in clause 6(2)(a); and
(c)
the importing State has consented in writing to the specific importation in question; and
(d)
the exportation of the waste is otherwise in conformity with New Zealand’s obligations under the Basel Convention and, if relevant, the Waigani Convention.
(4)
The requirements of this subclause are that—
(a)
the common requirements are met; and
(b)
the importing State has not prohibited the importation of the waste as described in clause 6(2)(a) or (b); and
(c)
the exportation of the waste is otherwise in conformity with New Zealand’s obligations under the Basel Convention, the OECD Decision, and, if relevant, the Waigani Convention.
(5)
Despite subclause (2), the EPA may refuse to grant a permit under this clause if section 3BC of the Act applies.
(6)
In this clause,—
common requirements means that—
(a)
any of the following applies:
(i)
New Zealand does not have the technical capacity and the necessary facilities, capacity, or suitable disposal sites to dispose of the waste in an environmentally sound and efficient manner:
(ii)
the waste is required as a raw material for any recycling or recovery industry in the importing State:
(iii)
the waste is exported in accordance with any criteria decided by the Basel Parties; and
(b)
the waste can be disposed of or managed in an environmentally sound and efficient manner in the importing State; and
(c)
for waste that is or contains a Stockholm chemical, the exportation is in accordance with Article 6(1)(d) of the Stockholm Convention
intended for diversion means that waste is intended to be, or required by any law of New Zealand to be, disposed of by any of the methods specified in clause 2 of Part 4 of Schedule 3.
Clause 11: replaced, on 16 August 2013, by clause 6 of the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order 2013 (SR 2013/315).
Clause 11 heading: amended, on 25 July 2025, by clause 6(1) of the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order (No 2) 2025 (SL 2025/153).
Clause 11 heading: amended, on 1 January 2021, by clause 6(1) of the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order (No 2) 2020 (LI 2020/295).
Clause 11(1): replaced, on 25 July 2025, by clause 6(2) of the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order (No 2) 2025 (SL 2025/153).
Clause 11(2): amended, on 25 July 2025, by clause 6(3) of the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order (No 2) 2025 (SL 2025/153).
Clause 11(5): amended, on 25 July 2025, by clause 6(4) of the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order (No 2) 2025 (SL 2025/153).
Importation of wastes
12 Importation of certain waste prohibited
The importation of hazardous waste, electrical and electronic waste, plastic waste, and household waste is prohibited, except as provided in clauses 13 and 14.
Clause 12: replaced, on 25 July 2025, by clause 7 of the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order (No 2) 2025 (SL 2025/153).
13 When hazardous waste, electrical and electronic waste, plastic waste, or household waste may be imported
(1)
A person may import hazardous waste, electrical and electronic waste, plastic waste, or household waste into New Zealand if the EPA grants the person a permit authorising the importation of the waste under this clause or clause 14.
(2)
The EPA must grant a permit under this clause—
(a)
for importation from a Basel Party or Waigani Party, other than importation to which paragraph (b) applies, if the requirements of subclause (3) are met; or
(b)
for importation from an OECD member country of waste intended for diversion if the requirements of subclause (4) are met.
(3)
The requirements of this subclause are that—
(a)
the common requirements are met; and
(b)
the importation of the waste is otherwise in conformity with New Zealand’s obligations under the Basel Convention and, if relevant, the Waigani Convention.
(4)
The requirements of this subclause are that—
(a)
the common requirements are met; and
(b)
the importation of the waste is otherwise in conformity with New Zealand’s obligations under the Basel Convention, the OECD Decision, and, if relevant, the Waigani Convention.
(5)
Despite subclause (2), the EPA may refuse to grant a permit under this clause if section 3BC of the Act applies.
(6)
In this clause,—
common requirements means that—
(a)
any of the following applies:
(i)
the exporting State does not have the technical capacity and the necessary facilities, capacity, or suitable disposal sites to dispose of the waste in an environmentally sound and efficient manner:
(ii)
the waste is required as a raw material for any recycling or recovery industry in New Zealand:
(iii)
the waste is imported in accordance with any criteria decided by the Basel Parties; and
(b)
the waste can be disposed of or managed in an environmentally sound and efficient manner in New Zealand
intended for diversion means that waste is intended to be, or required by any law of New Zealand to be, disposed of by any of the methods specified in clause 2 of Part 4 of Schedule 3.
Clause 13: replaced, on 16 August 2013, by clause 8 of the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order 2013 (SR 2013/315).
Clause 13 heading: amended, on 25 July 2025, by clause 8(1) of the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order (No 2) 2025 (SL 2025/153).
Clause 13 heading: amended, on 1 January 2021, by clause 8(1) of the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order (No 2) 2020 (LI 2020/295).
Clause 13(1): replaced, on 25 July 2025, by clause 8(2) of the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order (No 2) 2025 (SL 2025/153).
Clause 13(2): amended, on 25 July 2025, by clause 8(3) of the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order (No 2) 2025 (SL 2025/153).
Clause 13(5): amended, on 25 July 2025, by clause 8(4) of the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order (No 2) 2025 (SL 2025/153).
Permission to import and export wastes transiting through New Zealand
Heading: inserted, on 25 July 2025, by clause 9 of the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order (No 2) 2025 (SL 2025/153).
14 Hazardous waste, electrical and electronic waste, plastic waste, or household waste transiting through New Zealand
(1)
A person may import hazardous waste, electrical and electronic waste, plastic waste, or household waste into New Zealand, and subsequently export the same waste from New Zealand, if—
(a)
the waste is transported to New Zealand in transit only; and
(b)
the EPA grants the person a permit under this clause authorising the importation and subsequent exportation of the waste.
(2)
The EPA must grant a permit under this clause if the importation, transit through New Zealand, and subsequent exportation of the waste is otherwise in conformity with New Zealand’s obligations under the Basel Convention, the OECD Decision, and, if relevant, the Waigani Convention.
(3)
However, the EPA may refuse to grant a permit under this clause if section 3BC of the Act applies.
(4)
It is a condition of a permit granted under this clause that—
(a)
none of the waste is disposed of in New Zealand; and
(b)
all of the waste is exported from New Zealand within 20 working days after the date on which it first arrives in New Zealand.
Guidance note
Subclause (4) applies in addition to any conditions that the EPA may impose on a permit under section 3BB of the Act.
Clause 14: inserted, on 25 July 2025, by clause 9 of the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order (No 2) 2025 (SL 2025/153).
Schedule 1 Stockholm chemicals
Aldrin
Alpha hexachlorocyclohexane
Beta hexachlorocyclohexane
Chlordane
Chlordecone
DDT
Decabromodiphenyl ether
Dechlorane Plus (CAS No: 13560-89-9), including its syn-isomer (CAS No: 135821-03-3) and its anti-isomer (CAS No: 135821-74-8)
Dicofol
Dieldrin
Endrin
Heptachlor
Hexabromobiphenyl
Hexabromocyclododecane
Hexabromodiphenyl ether and heptabromodiphenyl ether
Hexachlorobenzene
Hexachlorobutadiene CAS No: 87-68-3
Lindane
Methoxychlor, including any isomer of dimethoxydiphenyltrichloroethane or combination of isomers
Mirex
Pentachlorobenzene
Pentachlorophenol and its salts and esters
Perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS; CAS No: 355-46-4), including any of its branched isomers, its salts, and any substance that contains the chemical moiety C6F13SO2- as one of its structural elements and that potentially degrades to PFHxS
Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (CAS No: 1763-23-1), its salts, and any derivatives of the formula C8F17SO2X, where X = halide, amide, esters, and other derivatives including polymers
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA; CAS No: 335-67-1), including any of its branched isomers, its salts, and PFOA-related compounds, which include any substances having a linear or branched perfluoroheptyl group with moiety (C7F15)C as one of the structural elements
Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB)
Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDD)
Polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDF)
Polychlorinated naphthalenes, including dichlorinated naphthalenes, trichlorinated naphthalenes, tetrachlorinated napthalenes, pentachlorinated napthalenes, hexachlorinated naphthalenes, heptachlorinated naphthalenes, and octachlorinated naphthalene
Short-chain chlorinated paraffins
Technical endosulfan and its related isomers
Tetrabromodiphenyl ether and pentabromodiphenyl ether
Toxaphene
UV-328 (CAS No: 25973-55-1; Phenol, 2-(2H-benzotriazol-2-yl)-4,6-bis(1,1- dimethylpropyl)-)
Schedule 1: amended, on 14 March 2025, by Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order 2025 (SL 2025/45).
Schedule 1: amended, on 5 October 2023, by clause 4 of the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order 2023 (SL 2023/234).
Schedule 1: amended, on 3 December 2020, by clause 4 of the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order 2020 (LI 2020/289).
Schedule 1: amended, on 18 December 2018, by clause 6(1) of the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order 2018 (LI 2018/257).
Schedule 1: amended, on 18 December 2018, by clause 6(2) of the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order 2018 (LI 2018/257).
Schedule 1: amended, on 15 December 2016, by clause 4 of the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order 2016 (LI 2016/300).
Schedule 1: amended, on 18 August 2011, by clause 4 of the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order 2011 (SR 2011/253).
Schedule 2 Rotterdam chemicals
Schedule 2: replaced, on 15 December 2016, by clause 5 of the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order 2016 (LI 2016/300).
| 1,2-dibromoethane (EDB) |
| 2,4,5-T and its salts and esters |
| Actinolite asbestos |
| Alachor |
| Aldicarb |
| Aldrin |
| Amosite asbestos |
| Anthophyllite asbestos |
| Azinphos-methyl |
| Binapacryl |
| Captafol |
| Carbofuran |
| Carbosulfan |
| Chlordane |
| Chlordimeform |
| Chlorobenzilate |
| Commercial octabromodiphenyl ether, including hexabromodiphenyl ether and heptabromodiphenyl ether |
| Commercial pentabromodiphenyl ether, including tetrabromodiphenyl ether and pentabromodiphenyl ether |
| Crocidolite asbestos |
| DDT |
| Decabromodiphenyl ether |
| Dieldrin |
| Dinitro-ortho-cresol (DNOC) and its salts (including ammonium salt, potassium salt, and sodium salt) |
| Dinoseb and its salts and esters |
| Dustable powder formulations containing a combination of benomyl at or above 7%, carbofuran at or above 10%, and thiram at or above 15% |
| Endosulfan |
| Ethylene dichloride |
| Ethylene oxide |
| Fenthion (ultra-low-volume formulations at or above 640 g active ingredient/ℓ) |
| Fluoroacetamide |
| HCH (mixed isomers) |
| Heptachlor |
| Hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) |
| Hexachlorobenzene |
| Lindane |
| Mercury compounds, including inorganic mercury compounds, alkyl mercury compounds, and alkyloxyalkyl and aryl mercury compounds |
| Methamidophos |
| Methyl-parathion (emulsifiable concentrates (EC) at or above 19.5% active ingredient and dusts at or above 1.5% active ingredient) |
| Monocrotophos |
| Parathion |
| Pentachlorophenol and its salts and esters |
Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, perfluorooctane sulfonates, perfluorooctane sulfonamides, and perfluorooctane sulfonyls, including—
|
| Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA; CAS No: 335-67-1),— including—
but not including—
|
| Phorate |
| Phosphamidon (soluble liquid formulations of the substance that exceed 1000 g active ingredient/ℓ) |
| Polybrominated biphenyls (PBB) |
| Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) |
| Polychlorinated terphenyls (PCT) |
| Short-chain chlorinated paraffins |
| Terbufos |
| Tetraethyl lead |
| Tetramethyl lead |
| Toxaphene |
| Tremolite asbestos |
| Tributyltin compounds |
| Trichlorfon |
| Tris (2,3-dibromopropyl) phosphate |
Schedule 2: amended, on 12 December 2025, by clause 4 of the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order (No 3) 2025 (SL 2025/313).
Schedule 2: amended, on 30 August 2024, by clause 4 of the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order 2024 (SL 2024/155).
Schedule 2: amended, on 5 October 2023, by clause 5 of the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order 2023 (SL 2023/234).
Schedule 2: amended, on 21 November 2019, by clause 4 of the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order 2019 (LI 2019/251).
Schedule 2: amended, on 18 December 2018, by clause 7 of the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order 2018 (LI 2018/257).
Schedule 3 Matters relating to hazardous waste and waste
Schedule 3 heading: replaced, on 16 August 2013, by clause 9 of the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order 2013 (SR 2013/315).
Part 1 Categories of waste
1
Clinical waste from medical care in hospitals, medical centres, or clinics.
2
Waste from the production or preparation of pharmaceutical products.
3
Waste pharmaceuticals, drugs, and medicines.
4
Waste from the production, formulation, or use of biocides or phytopharmaceuticals.
5
Waste from the manufacture, formulation, or use of wood-preserving chemicals.
6
Waste from the production, formulation, or use of organic solvents.
7
Waste from heat treatment or tempering operations and containing cyanides.
8
Waste mineral oils unfit for their originally intended use.
9
Waste mixtures of—
(a)
oil and water:
(b)
hydrocarbons and water.
10
Waste substances or articles containing, or contaminated with, 1 or more of the following substances:
(a)
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs):
(b)
polychlorinated terphenyls (PCTs):
(c)
polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs).
11
Waste tarry residues arising from refining or distillation, or any pyrolytic treatment.
12
Waste from the production, formulation, or use of inks, dyes, pigments, paints, lacquers, or varnish.
13
Waste from the production, formulation, or use of resins, latex, plasticisers, or glues or other adhesives.
14
Waste chemical substances—
(a)
that arise from research and development or teaching activities; and
(b)
that are not identified or are new, or both; and
(c)
whose effects on humans or the environment, or both, are not known.
15
Waste from the production, formulation, or use of photographic chemicals or photographic processing materials.
16
Waste resulting from the surface treatment of metals or plastics.
17
Waste arising from industrial waste disposal operations.
Part 2 Hazardous constituents
Acidic solutions and acids in solid form
Antimony and antimony compounds
Any congenor of polychlorinated dibenzofuran
Any congenor of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin
Arsenic and arsenic compounds
Asbestos (dust or fibres)
Basic solutions and bases in solid form
Beryllium and beryllium compounds
Cadmium and cadmium compounds
Copper compounds
Ethers
Halogenated organic solvents
Hexavalent chromium compounds
Inorganic cyanides
Inorganic fluorine compounds (excluding calcium fluoride)
Lead and lead compounds
Mercury and mercury compounds
Metal carbonyls
Organic cyanides
Organic phosphorous compounds
Organic solvents (excluding halogenated solvents)
Organohalogen compounds (other than any substance referred to elsewhere in this Part)
Phenols and phenol compounds (including chlorophenols)
Selenium and selenium compounds
Tellurium and tellurium compounds
Thallium and thallium compounds
Zinc compounds
Part 2A Plastic waste not to be treated as plastic waste
Schedule 3 Part 2A: inserted, on 1 January 2021, by clause 9 of the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order (No 2) 2020 (LI 2020/295).
The following plastic waste is not to be treated as plastic waste, for the purposes of this order, as long as it is—
(a)
to be recycled in an environmentally sound manner; and
(b)
almost free from contamination and other types of waste.
1
Plastic waste consisting almost exclusively of 1 non-halogenated polymer, including the following polymers:
(a)
polyethylene (PE):
(b)
polypropylene (PP):
(c)
polystyrene (PS):
(d)
acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS):
(e)
polyethylene terephthalate (PET):
(f)
polycarbonates (PC):
(g)
polyethers.
2
Plastic waste consisting almost exclusively of 1 cured resin or condensation product, including the following resins:
(a)
urea formaldehyde resins:
(b)
phenol formaldehyde resins:
(c)
melamine formaldehyde resins:
(d)
epoxy resins:
(e)
alkyd resins.
3
Plastic waste consisting almost exclusively of 1 of the following fluorinated polymers:
(a)
perfluoroethylene/propylene (FEP):
(b)
the following perfluoroalkoxy alkanes:
(i)
tetrafluoroethylene/perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether (PFA):
(ii)
tetrafluoroethylene/perfluoromethyl vinyl ether (MFA):
(c)
polyvinylfluoride (PVF):
(d)
polyvinylidenefluoride (PVDF).
4
Mixtures of plastic waste consisting of 2 or more of the following, as long as they are to be separately recycled, in an environmentally sound manner, and are almost free from contamination and other types of wastes:
(a)
polyethylene (PE):
(b)
polypropylene (PP):
(c)
polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
Part 3 Hazardous characteristic
1 References to flammable
In this Part, flammable means inflammable.
2 Explosive characteristic
A waste has an explosive characteristic if—
(a)
that waste is solid or liquid, or contains or is mixed with substances that are solid or liquid; and
(b)
that waste, or any solid or liquid that it contains or that it is mixed with, is capable, by chemical reaction, of producing gas at such a temperature and pressure and at such a speed as to cause damage to the surroundings.
3 Liquid wastes that have flammable characteristic
A liquid waste has a flammable characteristic if that waste—
(a)
is in liquid foam, or is a liquid that contains solids in solution or suspension (including, for example, paints, varnishes, and lacquers); and
(b)
gives off a flammable vapour at temperatures of not more than 60.5°C (using the closed-cup test), or not more than 65.6°C (using the open-cup test).
4 Solid wastes that have flammable characteristic
A solid waste has a flammable characteristic if that waste (not being a waste to which clause 2 applies), under conditions encountered in transport, is readily combustible, or may cause or contribute to fire through friction.
5 Characteristic of being liable to spontaneous combustion
A waste has a characteristic of being liable to spontaneous combustion if that waste—
(a)
is liable to spontaneous heating under normal conditions encountered in transport; or
(b)
is liable to heating up on contact with air, and, as a result, is liable to catch fire.
6 Characteristic of emitting flammable gases by interaction with water
A waste has the characteristic of emitting flammable gases if that waste, by interaction with water,—
(a)
is liable to become spontaneously flammable; or
(b)
is liable to give off flammable gases in dangerous quantities.
7 Oxidising characteristic
A waste has an oxidising characteristic if that waste, while in itself not necessarily combustible, may, generally by yielding oxygen, cause, or contribute to, the combustion of other materials.
8 Characteristic of being organic peroxide
(1)
A waste that falls into one of the categories of waste specified in Part 1 has the characteristic of being an organic peroxide if that waste—
(a)
contains the bivalent -O-O- structure; and
(b)
is thermally unstable and may undergo exothermic self-accelerating decomposition.
(2)
A waste that has as a constituent any substance specified in Part 2 has the characteristic of being an organic peroxide if that waste is thermally unstable and may undergo exothermic self-accelerating decomposition.
9 Characteristic of being acutely poisonous
A waste has the characteristic of being acutely poisonous if that waste is, if it is swallowed or inhaled, or if it has been in contact with skin,—
(a)
liable to cause death or serious injury; or
(b)
liable to harm human health.
10 Characteristic of being infectious
A waste has the characteristic of being infectious if—
(a)
that waste contains viable micro-organisms, or toxins of such micro-organisms; and
(b)
those micro-organisms or those toxins are known to cause, or are suspected of causing, disease in animals or humans.
11 Corrosive characteristics
A waste has a corrosive characteristic if that waste, by chemical action,—
(a)
causes severe damage when in contact with living tissue; or
(b)
in the case of leakage, materially damages or destroys its means of transport or other goods.
12 Characteristic that results in liberation of toxic gases on contact with air or water
A waste has the characteristic of resulting in the liberation of toxic gases if that waste, on contact with air or water and by interaction with air or water, is liable to give off toxic gases in dangerous quantities.
13 Toxic characteristic (delayed or chronic)
A waste has a toxic characteristic if that waste, through inhalation, ingestion, or penetration of the skin, may involve delayed or chronic effects, including carcinogenicity.
14 Ecotoxic characteristics
A waste has ecotoxic characteristics if that waste, if released, would or may present immediate or delayed adverse impacts to the environment by means of bioaccumulation, or toxic effects upon biotic systems, or both.
15 Other hazardous characteristics
A waste has other hazardous characteristics if it is capable by any means, after disposal by any of the methods specified in Part 4, of yielding another material (including, for example, leachate) that has any of the characteristics specified in clauses 2 to 14 of this Part.
Part 4 Methods of disposal of wastes
1
Methods of disposal that do not lead to the possibility of resource recovery, recycling, reclamation, direct reuse, or alternative uses—
(a)
deposit into or onto land (including, by way of example only, landfill):
(b)
land treatment (including, by way of example only, biodegradation of liquid or sludgy discards in soils):
(c)
deep injection (including, by way of example only, injection of pumpable discards into wells, salt domes, or naturally occurring repositories):
(d)
surface impoundment (including, by way of example only, placement of liquid or sludge discards into pits, ponds, or lagoons):
(e)
specially engineered landfill (including, by way of example only, placement into lined discrete cells that are capped and isolated from one another and the environment):
(f)
release into a water body (not being sea or an ocean):
(g)
release into a sea or an ocean (including seabed insertion):
(h)
incineration on land:
(i)
incineration at sea:
(j)
permanent storage (including, by way of example only, emplacement of containers in a mine):
(k)
any biological treatment that results in final compounds of mixtures that are discarded by means of any of the methods specified in any of paragraphs (a) to (j) or in paragraph (l):
(l)
physico-chemical treatment that results in final compounds or mixtures that are discarded by means of any of the methods specified in any of paragraphs (a) to (k) (including, by way of example only, evaporation, drying, calcination, neutralisation, or precipitation):
(m)
blending or mixing prior to disposal by any of the methods specified in any of paragraphs (a) to (l):
(n)
repackaging before disposal by any of the methods specified in any of paragraphs (a) to (l):
(o)
storage pending disposal by any of the methods specified in any of paragraphs (a) to (l).
2
Methods of disposal that may lead to resource recovery, recycling, reclamation, direct reuse, or alternative uses, where the waste being disposed of would otherwise have been destined for disposal by any of the methods specified in clause 1, are—
(a)
use as a fuel (other than in direct incineration) or other means to generate energy:
(b)
solvent reclamation or regeneration:
(c)
recycling or reclamation of organic substances not used as solvents:
(d)
recycling or reclamation of metals and metal compounds:
(e)
recycling or reclamation of other inorganic materials:
(f)
regeneration of acids or bases:
(g)
recovery of components used for pollution abatement:
(h)
recovery of components from catalysts:
(i)
re-refining of used oil, or other re-uses of previously used oil:
(j)
land treatment resulting in a benefit to agriculture or in ecological improvement:
(k)
uses of residual materials obtained from any of the methods specified in any of paragraphs (a) to (j):
(l)
exchange of wastes for disposal by any of the methods specified in any of paragraphs (a) to (k):
(m)
accumulation of material intended for disposal by any of the methods specified in any of paragraphs (a) to (l).
Diane Morcom,
Clerk of the Executive Council.
Date of notification in Gazette: 1 July 2004.
Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order 2013
(SR 2013/315)
Rt Hon Dame Sian Elias, Administrator of the Government
Order in Council
At Wellington this 12th day of August 2013
Present:
Her Excellency the Administrator of the Government in Council
Pursuant to sections 3(1) and 3A(1) of the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Act 1988, Her Excellency the Administrator of the Government makes the following order,—
(a)
acting on the advice and with the consent of the Executive Council; and
(b)
in compliance with the requirements of those provisions.
Order
1 Title
2 Commencement
This order comes into force on 16 August 2013.
10 Transitional provision
(1)
This clause relates to the exportation or importation of hazardous waste or household waste if, at the commencement of this order,—
(a)
a person had already applied for a permit authorising the exportation or importation; but
(b)
the EPA had not yet decided whether to grant the permit.
(2)
The principal order applies, as amended by this order, to the exportation or importation of that waste.
Michael Webster,
for Clerk of the Executive Council.
Date of notification in Gazette: 15 August 2013.
Notes
1 General
This is a consolidation of the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 that incorporates the amendments made to the legislation so that it shows the law as at its stated date.
2 Legal status
A consolidation is taken to correctly state, as at its stated date, the law enacted or made by the legislation consolidated and by the amendments. This presumption applies unless the contrary is shown.
Section 78 of the Legislation Act 2019 provides that this consolidation, published as an electronic version, is an official version. A printed version of legislation that is produced directly from this official electronic version is also an official version.
3 Editorial and format changes
The Parliamentary Counsel Office makes editorial and format changes to consolidations using the powers under subpart 2 of Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019. See also PCO editorial conventions for consolidations.
4 Amendments incorporated in this reprint
Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order (No 3) 2025 (SL 2025/313)
Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order (No 2) 2025 (SL 2025/153)
Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order 2025 (SL 2025/45)
Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order 2024 (SL 2024/155)
Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order 2023 (SL 2023/234)
Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order (No 2) 2020 (LI 2020/295)
Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order 2020 (LI 2020/289)
Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order 2019 (LI 2019/251)
Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order 2018 (LI 2018/257)
Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order 2016 (LI 2016/300)
Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order 2013 (SR 2013/315)
Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order 2011 (SR 2011/253)
Environmental Protection Authority Act 2011 (2011 No 14): section 54
Versions
Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004
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