Fact Sheet 24 - Controls on the importation of hazardous substances

ISSN 1175-396X<strong>24</strong>CUSTOMS FACT SHEET » IMPORTANT INFORMATIONCONTROLS ON THE IMPORTATIONOF HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCESThe Hazardous Substances and New Organisms (HSNO) Act 1996 places controls on theimportation of hazardous substances.WHAT IS A HAZARDOUSSUBSTANCE?A hazardous substance means anysubstance that has one or more of thefollowing hazardous properties:» Explosiveness (eg, fireworks)» Flammability (eg, fuels, solvents)» A capacity to oxidise (eg, peroxides,hypochlorites)» Corrosiveness (eg, acids, ammonia)» Toxicity (eg, pesticides, someindustrial chemicals)» Ecotoxicity (eg, pesticides, chemicals,oils).WHAT ITEMS ARE COVERED BY THEHSNO ACT?Hazardous substances, as definedabove, are covered by the HSNO Act.These include pure chemicals as well asproducts such as glues, paints, pesticides,and so on, regardless of how they arepackaged or presented.In addition, manufactured articlesthat include or incorporate any kindof explosive substance are considered‘hazardous substances’ and thus coveredby the HSNO Act.WHAT ITEMS ARE NOT COVERED BYTHE HSNO ACT?The following types of substances/products are NOT covered under theHSNO Act, ie, a HSNO approval is notrequired for their importation:» Manufactured articles, eg, cars,electronic equipment, and machinery,even though those products containhazardous substances. For examplea machine containing a lubricant isnot covered under HSNO, but ifthe lubricant were independentlyimported, it would require a HSNOapproval.» Substances that have hazardousproperties below the prescribedthreshold levels. These thresholdlevels are set by legislation,specifically the HazardousSubstances (Minimum Degrees ofHazard) Regulations 2001.» Food in a ready-to-eat form.» Finished form (human) medicines.» Infectious substances.» Radioactive substances.The obligation is on importers toestablish whether the substance theyare importing falls within the scope ofthe HSNO Act. If you are in any doubtabout whether the substance requires aHSNO approval, you should contact:Environmental Protection Authority(EPA)Telephone: 0800 376234Email: hsinfo@epa.govt.nzWebsite: www.epa.govt.nzIMPORTATION OF HAZARDOUSSUBSTANCES INTO NEW ZEALANDIf you wish to import a hazardoussubstance into New Zealand, it musthave a HSNO approval. The EPARegister contains a list of HSNOapprovals for all substances (singlecomponents, formulated products andGroup Standard Approvals).If the substance you wish to importdoes not have an existing HSNOapproval, you must obtain an approvalfrom the EPA prior to importing thesubstance. The approval number shouldbe able to be provided to Customs or anenforcement agency if requested.If you require advice on the HSNOstatus of the substance you areimporting, you should contact the EPA.AsbestosPlease note that raw asbestos does notcurrently have a HSNO approval. Assuch, it is not allowed to be importedinto New Zealand. If you wish toimport raw asbestos into New Zealand,you will need to make an application tothe EPA. Please contact the EPA foradvice on this process.Issue date March 2012

CUSTOMS FACT SHEET <strong>24</strong>ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FORCERTAIN HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCES— IMPORT PERMITSImport permits are required for thefollowing hazardous substances:» Explosives, including fireworks.These import certificates are issuedby the EPA and must be presentedto Customs.» Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)and children’s crayons and finger andwatercolour paints. These permitsare issued by the Ministry of Healthunder delegated authority fromthe EPA. The code MOH and thepermit number must be entered inthe Permit Information field on theCustoms import entry.» Persistent organic pollutants(POPs) covered by the StockholmConvention, eg, aldrin, chlordane,dieldrin, polychlorinated biphenyls(PCBs). Anyone wishing to importa POP covered by the StockholmConvention must obtain priorapproval from the EPA. Thisincludes laboratories using thesesubstances as analytical standards.The approval to import must bepresented to Customs.ARE THERE LABELLINGREQUIREMENTS FOR HAZARDOUSSUBSTANCES?Importers of hazardous substancesshould ensure that their goods areclearly identified in accordance withinternational transportation standardsso that the identity of the goods andtheir hazardous characteristics can bereadily distinguished. Clear identificationwill also assist with the handling andtreatment of the goods.WHAT HAPPENS IF I IMPORT AHAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE WITHOUTAPPROVAL?Hazardous substances that are importedwithout a HSNO approval are liable forseizure under the Customs and ExciseAct 1996. Importers should ensure thatan approval is obtained from the EPAprior to importing the goods intoNew Zealand.Similarly, substances that are importedinto New Zealand without the requiredimport permits as described above maybe seized. There is provision in theHSNO Act for the goods to be reexportedat cost to the importer.FURTHER INFORMATIONThe EPA has prepared a number ofpublications that you may find to beparticularly relevant:» Information <strong>Sheet</strong> No. 16: Substancesthat may be hazardous under the HSNOAct 1996: A Guide for Importers andCustoms Brokers.» Information <strong>Sheet</strong> No. 14: Determiningthe status of a substance – do I need to getan approval?» Information <strong>Sheet</strong> No. 11: ManufacturedArticles.» User Guide to thresholds andclassifi cations (both as a summaryguide and a full guide).» Assigning a Substance to a GroupStandard» User Guide to Making a HazardousSubstance Application.These publications are available atwww.epa.govt.nz.FOR FURTHER INFORMATIONContact your nearest office of theNew Zealand Customs Service, visit theCustoms website www.customs.govt.nzor call Customs on 0800 428 786(0800 4 CUSTOMS).2 <strong>Controls</strong> on the Importation of Hazardous Substances

Issue date March 2012 3

CUSTOMS FACT SHEET <strong>24</strong>Office of the Comptroller of Customs, PO Box 2218, WellingtonPhone: +64 4 901 4500 » Fax: +64 4 901 4555 » www.customs.govt.nzISSN 1175-396X4 <strong>Controls</strong> on the Importation of Hazardous Substances