United Nations Sanctions (Libya) Regulations 2018
United Nations Sanctions (Libya) Regulations 2018
United Nations Sanctions (Libya) Regulations 2018
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Version as at 7 May 2026

United Nations Sanctions (Libya) Regulations 2018
(LI 2018/69)
Patsy Reddy, Governor-General
Order in Council
At Wellington this 14th day of May 2018
Present:
The Right Hon Jacinda Ardern presiding 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.
These regulations are administered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
These regulations are made under section 2(1) of the United Nations Act 1946 on the advice and with the consent of the Executive Council.
Contents
Regulations
1 Title
These regulations are the United Nations Sanctions (Libya) Regulations 2018.
2 Commencement
These regulations come into force on 14 June 2018.
3 Interpretation
In these regulations, unless the context otherwise requires,—
agent of a designated person means—
(a)
any person who acts on behalf of, or at the direction of,—
(i)
a designated person; or
(ii)
another person who, directly or indirectly, acts on behalf of the designated person; or
(b)
any entity owned or controlled by a designated person or by a person described in paragraph (a)
arms includes—
(a)
any related materiel; and
(b)
spare parts for any arms or for any materiel referred to in paragraph (a)
bunkering service, in relation to a ship, includes—
(a)
the provision of fuel to the ship; and
(b)
the provision of supplies to the ship; and
(c)
any other servicing of the ship
certificate of clearance means a certificate of clearance granted under section 37 of the Customs and Excise Act 2018
charterer, in relation to a craft, includes a person acting as the agent of the charterer of the craft
Committee means the committee established under paragraph 24 of resolution 1970
craft has the same meaning as in section 5(1) of the Customs and Excise Act 2018
Customs has the same meaning as in section 5(1) of the Customs and Excise Act 2018
Customs officer has the same meaning as in section 5(1) of the Customs and Excise Act 2018
designated person means an individual or entity specified by resolution 1970, or designated or determined by the Security Council or the Committee in accordance with that resolution or resolution 1973, 2009, 2174, or 2213 as—
(a)
a person to whom or to which asset freeze measures set out in any of those resolutions apply; or
(b)
an individual to whom travel ban measures set out in any of those resolutions apply
designated ship means a ship designated by the Committee under paragraph 11 of resolution 2146, as extended by resolution 2362
Libyan Government representative means a person purporting to represent the Government of Libya
Minister means the Minister of Foreign Affairs
New Zealand includes Tokelau
New Zealand chartered craft means a craft that is not a New Zealand registered craft but is chartered to a New Zealand citizen or an entity incorporated or constituted under the law of New Zealand
New Zealand craft means a New Zealand registered craft or a New Zealand chartered craft
New Zealand registered craft—
(a)
means a craft registered in New Zealand; and
(b)
includes, whether or not it is actually registered,—
(i)
an aircraft required to be registered in New Zealand under the Civil Aviation Act 2023; and
(ii)
a ship required or entitled to be registered in New Zealand under the Ship Registration Act 1992
owner, in relation to a craft, includes a person acting as the agent of the owner
petroleum includes crude oil and refined petroleum products
property—
(a)
means everything that is capable of being owned, whether it is—
(i)
real or personal property:
(ii)
tangible or intangible property:
(iii)
inside or outside New Zealand; and
(b)
includes a legal or an equitable estate or interest in property
resolution 1970 means resolution 1970 (2011) of the Security Council of the United Nations, adopted on 26 February 2011
resolution 1973 means resolution 1973 (2011) of the Security Council of the United Nations, adopted on 17 March 2011
resolution 2009 means resolution 2009 (2011) of the Security Council of the United Nations, adopted on 16 September 2011
resolution 2146 means resolution 2146 (2014) of the Security Council of the United Nations, adopted on 19 March 2014
resolution 2174 means resolution 2174 (2014) of the Security Council of the United Nations, adopted on 27 August 2014
resolution 2213 means resolution 2213 (2015) of the Security Council of the United Nations, adopted on 27 March 2015
resolution 2362 means resolution 2362 (2017) of the Security Council of the United Nations, adopted on 29 June 2017
resolution 2664 means resolution 2664 (2022) of the Security Council of the United Nations, adopted on 9 December 2022
resolution 2769 means resolution 2769 (2025) of the Security Council of the United Nations, adopted on 16 January 2025
ship has the same meaning as in section 2(1) of the Ship Registration Act 1992
specified financial body means the Libyan Investment Authority or the Libyan Africa Investment Portfolio
specified State means a member State of the United Nations other than Libya.
Regulation 3 certificate of clearance: amended, on 7 May 2026, by regulation 4(1) of the United Nations Sanctions (Libya) Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL 2026/66).
Regulation 3 craft: amended, on 7 May 2026, by regulation 4(2) of the United Nations Sanctions (Libya) Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL 2026/66).
Regulation 3 Customs: amended, on 7 May 2026, by regulation 4(3) of the United Nations Sanctions (Libya) Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL 2026/66).
Regulation 3 Customs and Excise Act 1996: revoked, on 7 May 2026, by regulation 4(4) of the United Nations Sanctions (Libya) Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL 2026/66).
Regulation 3 Customs officer: amended, on 7 May 2026, by regulation 4(5) of the United Nations Sanctions (Libya) Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL 2026/66).
Regulation 3 New Zealand registered craft paragraph (b)(i): amended, on 5 April 2025, by section 486 of the Civil Aviation Act 2023 (2023 No 10).
Regulation 3 resolution 2664: inserted, on 7 May 2026, by regulation 4(6) of the United Nations Sanctions (Libya) Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL 2026/66).
Regulation 3 resolution 2769: inserted, on 7 May 2026, by regulation 4(6) of the United Nations Sanctions (Libya) Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL 2026/66).
Regulation 3 specified State: inserted, on 7 May 2026, by regulation 4(6) of the United Nations Sanctions (Libya) Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL 2026/66).
4 Transitional, savings, and related provisions
The transitional, savings, and related provisions (if any) set out in Schedule 1 have effect according to their terms.
Arms
5 Exporting arms to Libya
(1)
A person must not directly or indirectly export arms to Libya knowing that the arms are intended to be exported to Libya, or are intended for use in, or for the benefit of, Libya.
(2)
[Revoked]Regulation 5(2): revoked, on 7 May 2026, by regulation 5 of the United Nations Sanctions (Libya) Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL 2026/66).
6 Importing arms from Libya
A person must not directly or indirectly import arms into New Zealand from Libya knowing that the arms are from Libya (whether or not the arms originated in Libya).
7 Loading arms onto craft
The master or pilot-in-command of a craft must not allow arms to be loaded onto the craft knowing that the arms are intended to be exported to Libya, or are intended for use in, or for the benefit of, Libya.
8 Customs may refuse certificate of clearance
Customs may refuse to grant a certificate of clearance in respect of a craft that a Customs officer has reasonable cause to suspect is loaded with arms that are intended to be exported to Libya, or are intended for use in, or for the benefit of, Libya.
9 Application of Customs and Excise Act 1996
(1)
The provisions of the Customs and Excise Act 2018 apply in relation to—
(a)
arms whose exportation is prohibited under regulation 5 as if their exportation is prohibited under section 96 or 97 of that Act:
(b)
arms whose importation is prohibited under regulation 6 as if their importation is prohibited under section 96 of that Act.
(2)
However, the following provisions of the Customs and Excise Act 2018 do not apply to those arms:
(a)
(c)
(d)
sections 388 and 389:
(e)
clauses 1(3)(b), 4(2)(b), and 6 of Schedule 5.
(3)
The Comptroller of Customs must give any of those arms to which the Crown has title as forfeited goods to a person authorised in writing by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs to receive the arms (instead of disposing of the arms under section 189(2) of the Customs and Excise Act 2018).
Regulation 9: replaced, on 7 May 2026, by regulation 6 of the United Nations Sanctions (Libya) Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL 2026/66).
10 Dealing with arms
(1)
A person must not sell, transfer, or otherwise deal with any arms knowing that they are intended to be supplied, sold, or transferred, directly or indirectly,—
(a)
to Libya, or are for use in, or for the benefit of, Libya; or
(b)
to any place from Libya.
(2)
Subclause (1) applies to—
(a)
a person in New Zealand; and
(b)
a New Zealand citizen in any place outside New Zealand.
11 Carrying arms on New Zealand craft
(1)
A person must not use a New Zealand craft to carry arms knowing that—
(a)
the craft is carrying arms; and
(b)
the carriage is, or forms part of, the carriage of those arms—
(i)
from any place to Libya; or
(ii)
to any place from Libya.
(2)
Subclause (1) applies to,—
(a)
in the case of a New Zealand registered craft,—
(i)
the owner of the craft; and
(ii)
the master or pilot-in-command of the craft:
(b)
in the case of a New Zealand chartered craft,—
(i)
the charterer of the craft; and
(ii)
the master or pilot-in-command of the craft, if the master or pilot is a New Zealand citizen.
11A Exceptions to regulations 5 to 11
Regulations 5 to 11 do not apply to—
(a)
arms or related materiel intended solely for security or disarmament assistance to the Libyan authorities and approved in advance by the Committee; or
(b)
non-lethal military equipment intended solely for humanitarian or protective use; or
(c)
protective clothing (including flak jackets and military helmets) temporarily exported to Libya by United Nations personnel, representatives of the media, humanitarian and development workers, and associated personnel for their personal use only; or
(d)
small arms, light weapons, and related materiel temporarily exported to Libya for the sole use of United Nations personnel, representatives of the media, humanitarian and development workers, and associated personnel (if the exportation has been notified to the Committee in advance and the Committee has not, within 5 working days after receiving the notification, made a negative decision in respect of the exportation); or
(e)
arms for defensive purposes if—
(i)
the arms are carried on a military craft of a specified State that enters Libya temporarily; and
(ii)
while the craft is in Libya, the arms remain on the craft or in the possession of a person from a specified State who is temporarily disembarking from the craft; or
(f)
arms that are—
(i)
intended to be—
(A)
introduced temporarily into Libya; and
(B)
solely for use by a specified State providing technical assistance or training to Libyan security forces that is intended solely to promote the reunification of Libyan military and security institutions; and
(C)
used for the delivery of such assistance or training or for the protective use of those persons delivering the assistance or training; and
(ii)
notified to the Committee in advance; or
(g)
arms that are approved in advance by the Committee.
Regulation 11A: inserted, on 7 May 2026, by regulation 7 of the United Nations Sanctions (Libya) Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL 2026/66).
12 Providing specified assistance or training
(1)
A person must not provide any specified assistance or training knowing that the assistance or training is provided to a person in Libya.
(2)
Subclause (1) applies to—
(a)
a person in New Zealand; and
(b)
a New Zealand citizen in any place outside New Zealand.
(3)
Subclause (1) does not apply if—
(a)
the assistance or training is provided in circumstances that correspond with the exceptions described in regulation 11A to the prohibitions set out in regulations 5 to 11; or
(b)
without limiting paragraph (a), the assistance or training is—
(i)
provided by a specified State to Libyan security forces; and
(ii)
intended solely to promote the reunification of Libyan military and security institutions; and
(iii)
notified to the Committee in advance.
(4)
In this regulation, specified assistance or training means assistance or training relating to military activities or to the provision, maintenance, or use of any arms, including—
(a)
technical assistance; and
(b)
any kind of financial assistance; and
(c)
advice and assistance relating to the repair, servicing, or refurbishment of arms.
Regulation 12 heading: amended, on 7 May 2026, by regulation 8(1) of the United Nations Sanctions (Libya) Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL 2026/66).
Regulation 12(1): amended, on 7 May 2026, by regulation 8(2) of the United Nations Sanctions (Libya) Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL 2026/66).
Regulation 12(3): replaced, on 7 May 2026, by regulation 8(3) of the United Nations Sanctions (Libya) Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL 2026/66).
Regulation 12(4): replaced, on 7 May 2026, by regulation 8(3) of the United Nations Sanctions (Libya) Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL 2026/66).
Petroleum
13 Designated ship entering New Zealand port
(1)
A person must not permit or authorise a designated ship to enter any New Zealand port if the person has reasonable grounds to believe that the ship is a designated ship.
(2)
Subclause (1) does not apply—
(a)
to a New Zealand flagged ship; or
(b)
in the case of an emergency; or
(c)
if entry into the port is necessary in order for the ship to be inspected.
14 Loading, transportation, and discharge of petroleum
(1)
A person must not allow petroleum to be loaded onto or transported by a designated ship knowing that—
(a)
the ship is a designated ship; and
(b)
the petroleum being loaded or transported (as the case requires) is intended for transport to any place from Libya.
(2)
A person must not allow petroleum to be discharged from a designated ship in New Zealand knowing that—
(a)
the ship is a designated ship; and
(b)
the petroleum being discharged is from Libya.
(3)
Subclauses (1) and (2) do not apply if the person was directed by a Libyan Government representative to load or transport (as the case requires) the petroleum on the ship.
15 Application of Customs and Excise Act 2018
(1)
The provisions of the Customs and Excise Act 2018 (except sections 388 to 391) apply in relation to petroleum on a designated ship that is intended for transport to any place from Libya as if the petroleum were goods the importation or exportation of which is prohibited under section 96 or 97 of that Act.
(2)
The Comptroller of Customs must give any prohibited petroleum to which the Crown has title as forfeited goods to a person authorised in writing by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs to receive the petroleum (instead of disposing of the petroleum under section 189(2) of the Customs and Excise Act 2018).
Regulation 15 heading: amended, on 7 May 2026, by regulation 9(1) of the United Nations Sanctions (Libya) Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL 2026/66).
Regulation 15(1): amended, on 7 May 2026, by regulation 9(2)(a) of the United Nations Sanctions (Libya) Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL 2026/66).
Regulation 15(1): amended, on 7 May 2026, by regulation 9(2)(b) of the United Nations Sanctions (Libya) Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL 2026/66).
Regulation 15(2): amended, on 7 May 2026, by regulation 9(3) of the United Nations Sanctions (Libya) Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL 2026/66).
16 Financial transactions relating to petroleum
(1)
A person must not engage in any financial transaction relating to petroleum being transported or to be transported on a designated ship to any place from Libya knowing that—
(a)
the ship is a designated ship; and
(b)
the ship is transporting or is to transport petroleum; and
(c)
the transportation is, or forms part of, the transportation of that petroleum to any place from Libya.
(2)
Subclause (1) applies to—
(a)
a person in New Zealand; and
(b)
a New Zealand citizen in any place outside New Zealand.
17 Bunkering services
(1)
A person must not provide or assist in the provision of bunkering services to a designated ship knowing that the ship is a designated ship.
(2)
Subclause (1) does not apply to bunkering services that—
(a)
are necessary—
(i)
for humanitarian purposes; or
(ii)
in order to enable the ship to return to Libya; and
(b)
have been notified to the Committee.
Aircraft carrying prohibited items
18 Aircraft carrying prohibited items
(1)
A person must not permit or authorise an aircraft to do any of the following, knowing that the aircraft has on board any item the exportation or importation of which is prohibited by these regulations:
(a)
take off from New Zealand; or
(b)
land in New Zealand; or
(c)
fly over New Zealand.
(2)
This regulation does not apply to the carrying of arms in an aircraft if those arms are of the kind described in regulation 11A.
(3)
Subclause (1)(b) does not apply to an emergency landing.
Regulation 18(2): amended, on 7 May 2026, by regulation 10 of the United Nations Sanctions (Libya) Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL 2026/66).
Property of designated persons
19 Dealing with property of designated persons
(1)
A person must not transfer, sell, assign, dispose of, pay for, or otherwise deal with any property located in New Zealand knowing that the property is owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by—
(a)
a designated person; or
(b)
an agent of a designated person.
(2)
Subclause (1) applies to—
(a)
a person in New Zealand; and
(b)
a New Zealand citizen in any place outside New Zealand.
(3)
Subclause (1) applies to the property of a specified financial body only in accordance with regulation 21.
(4)
See regulation 22 for exceptions to this regulation.
Regulation 19(3): replaced, on 7 May 2026, by regulation 11 of the United Nations Sanctions (Libya) Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL 2026/66).
Regulation 19(4): inserted, on 7 May 2026, by regulation 11 of the United Nations Sanctions (Libya) Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL 2026/66).
20 Sending property to designated persons
(1)
A person must not send, transfer, or deliver any property, or cause any property to be sent, transferred, or delivered, whether directly or indirectly, knowing that the property is to be sent, transferred, or delivered—
(a)
to a designated person; or
(b)
for the benefit of a designated person.
(2)
Subclause (1) applies to—
(a)
a person in New Zealand; and
(b)
a New Zealand citizen in any place outside New Zealand.
(3)
Subclause (1) applies to the property of a specified financial body only in accordance with regulation 21.
(4)
See regulation 22 for exceptions to this regulation.
Regulation 20(3): replaced, on 7 May 2026, by regulation 12 of the United Nations Sanctions (Libya) Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL 2026/66).
Regulation 20(4): inserted, on 7 May 2026, by regulation 12 of the United Nations Sanctions (Libya) Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL 2026/66).
21 Specified financial bodies
(1)
The prohibitions in regulations 19(1) and 20(1)—
(a)
do not apply to property acquired by a specified financial body after 16 September 2011 and held by the body outside Libya; but
(b)
continue to apply to other property of a specified financial body, unless the Minister has consented to the activity relating to that other property.
(2)
The Minister may consent to an activity for the purposes of subclause (1)(b) if the Minister—
(a)
is satisfied that the activity is necessary for any of the following purposes:
(i)
meeting humanitarian needs:
(ii)
providing fuel, electricity, and water solely for civilian users:
(iii)
resuming Libyan production and sale of hydrocarbons:
(iv)
establishing, operating, or strengthening civilian government institutions and public infrastructure:
(v)
facilitating the resumption of banking sector operations, including operations that support or facilitate international trade with Libya; and
(b)
has notified the Committee in advance of his or her intention to consent to the activity; and
(c)
has consulted in advance with the Government of Libya and given it a copy of the notification made under paragraph (b) (and the Government of Libya has not, within 5 working days after receiving the copy notification, made a negative decision in relation to the proposed consent).
22 Exceptions to regulations 19 and 20
(1)
The prohibitions in regulations 19(1) and 20(1) do not apply to—
(a)
an activity that the Minister consents to under this regulation; or
(b)
an activity that is—
(i)
necessary to ensure the timely delivery of humanitarian assistance or to support other activities that support basic human needs; and
(ii)
carried out by an entity set out in paragraph 1 of resolution 2664.
(2)
The Minister may consent to an activity prohibited by regulation 19(1) or 20(1) if the Minister is satisfied that the activity is—
(a)
necessary for a designated person to—
(i)
meet basic expenses, and notice of the Minister’s intention to consent has been given to the Committee and the Committee has not, within 3 working days after receiving the Minister’s notification, made a negative decision in respect of the activity; or
(ii)
meet extraordinary expenses, and notice of the Minister’s intention to consent has been given to the Committee and the Committee has approved the activity; or
(iii)
satisfy a judicial, administrative, or arbitral lien or judgment that took effect before 20 November 2008, other than a lien or judgment for the benefit of a designated person, and notice of the Minister’s intention to consent has been given to the Committee; or
(b)
related to the reinvestment of the Libyan Investment Authority’s frozen assets in accordance with paragraph 14 of resolution 2769.
(3)
[Revoked](4)
The Minister may consent to the following being added to an account to which the prohibitions in regulations 19(1) and 20(1) apply:
(a)
interest or other earnings due on the account:
(b)
payments due under any contract, agreement, or obligation of a designated person that arose before the date of their designation.
(5)
The prohibitions in regulations 19(1) and 20(1) apply to interest and other earnings and payments added to an account under subclause (4).
(6)
In deciding whether to consent to an activity under this regulation, the Minister must have regard to paragraphs 19, 20 and 21 of resolution 1970.
Regulation 22 heading: replaced, on 7 May 2026, by regulation 13(1) of the United Nations Sanctions (Libya) Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL 2026/66).
Regulation 22(1): replaced, on 7 May 2026, by regulation 13(2) of the United Nations Sanctions (Libya) Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL 2026/66).
Regulation 22(2): replaced, on 7 May 2026, by regulation 13(2) of the United Nations Sanctions (Libya) Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL 2026/66).
Regulation 22(3): revoked, on 7 May 2026, by regulation 13(2) of the United Nations Sanctions (Libya) Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL 2026/66).
Regulation 22(6): inserted, on 7 May 2026, by regulation 13(3) of the United Nations Sanctions (Libya) Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL 2026/66).
Entry and transit of designated individuals
23 Designated individuals entering or transiting through New Zealand
(1)
An individual who is a designated person must not enter New Zealand or transit through New Zealand.
(2)
Subclause (1) does not apply to an individual who is a New Zealand citizen.
(3)
Subclause (1) does not apply if—
(a)
the Committee has determined that the entry or transit is justified on the grounds of humanitarian need, including religious obligation; or
(b)
the entry or transit is necessary to give effect to a judicial process; or
(c)
the Committee has determined that the entry or transit would further the objectives of peace and national reconciliation in Libya and stability in the region.
(4)
A visa may be granted under the Immigration Act 2009 to a designated individual only on the advice of the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade that the visa is consistent with subclauses (2) and (3).
(5)
This regulation operates in addition to the requirements of the Immigration Act 2009 and of any regulations made under that Act.
Miscellaneous provisions
24 Offences
For the purposes of section 3(1) of the United Nations Act 1946, a person who contravenes or fails to comply with any provision of these regulations commits an offence against these regulations.
25 Attorney-General’s consent and certificate in certain cases
A prosecution for an offence against these regulations that is alleged to have been committed outside New Zealand may not be commenced without—
(a)
the Attorney-General’s consent; and
(b)
the Attorney-General’s certificate that it is expedient that the prosecution be commenced.
26 Revocation
The United Nations Sanctions (Libya) Regulations 2011 (SR 2011/77) are revoked.
Schedule 1 Transitional, savings, and related provisions
Part 1 Provisions relating to these regulations as made
There are no transitional, savings, or related provisions relating to these regulations as made.
Michael Webster,
Clerk of the Executive Council.
Issued under the authority of the Legislation Act 2019.
Date of notification in Gazette: 17 May 2018.
Notes
1 General
This is a consolidation of the United Nations Sanctions (Libya) Regulations 2018 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 consolidation
United Nations Sanctions (Libya) Amendment Regulations 2026 (SL 2026/66)
Civil Aviation Act 2023 (2023 No 10): section 486
"Related Legislation
"Related Legislation
"Related Legislation
Versions
United Nations Sanctions (Libya) Regulations 2018
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