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Holiday Timings
The New Zealand Export Controls Office will close for the holiday period at 1200 on Friday 20 December 2024 and will reopen on Monday 6 January 2025 at 0900.
Applications received after 1600 on the 18 December 2024 may not be processed prior to reopening on 6 January.
Export Controls in place: Russian Federation and Belarus
Exporters to the Russian Federation and Belarus are advised to familiarise themselves with the new Gazette Notice(external link) prohibiting certain exports to the Russian Federation and Belarus.
This Notice sets out a prohibition on the export of military and dual-use goods (as per the New Zealand Strategic Goods List 2021), and any other goods, which may be intended for use by Russian Federation and Belarus military, paramilitary, militia or police. Exporters are recommended to undertake careful due diligence on the intended end user of any goods they are proposing to export to Russia and Belarus. Any breaches of the Notice may result in the exporter facing substantial penalties.
Please contact exportcontrols@mfat.govt.nz with any questions.
New Zealand Submits 2023 Report on Conventional Arms to the Arms Trade Treaty
New Zealand submitted its 2023 reporting requirement to the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) on 31 May 2024. The report lists the number of conventional arms imported into and exported from New Zealand in the calendar year 2023. Previous reporting can be viewed on the ATT website(external link).
Vanuatu nationals visiting and working in New Zealand including Recognised Seasonal workers
Vanuatu nationals visiting or working in New Zealand (including Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) workers in New Zealand) : Prohibition on the export of firearms and ammunition to Vanuatu.
At the request of the Vanuatu Government, New Zealand and Vanuatu have an agreed policy on the importation of firearms and ammunition to Vanuatu from New Zealand. The policy is that individual applications to export firearms and ammunition to Vanuatu will not be approved, but applications for exports to importers who are licensed Vanuatu firearms dealers will be considered.
On this basis Vanuatu nationals visiting or working in New Zealand including RSE workers cannot export firearms and ammunition to Vanuatu.
Firearm and ammunition sellers in New Zealand should not rely on any documentation giving authority to an individual to import firearms and ammunition into Vanuatu. In this regard a license to import firearms or ammunition issued by the Vanuatu Police will not be recognised by us, nor will approval to import letters from Vanuatu Government departments.
Accordingly, the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which manages the issue of export permits, will not approve permits for individuals exporting firearms and ammunition to Vanuatu.
Any attempt to export firearms and ammunition without a permit is a breach of the Custom Act and may result in prosecution.
If you have any questions on this issue please contact the Export Controls Office.