Basic information
Outline of the system
The Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti Personnel Mines and on their Destruction, 1997 (the Convention), is implemented in New Zealand through the: Anti-Personnel Mines Prohibition Act 1998.
The Anti-Personnel Mines Prohibition Act 1998 prohibits the import of all anti-personnel landmines, except for anti-personnel mines to be used, developed, produced, otherwise acquired, possessed, retained, imported or exported for the purposes of developing, or training persons in, techniques of mine detection, mine clearance, mine deactivation, or mine destruction.
Product coverage
(a) The Minister of Foreign Affairs may, by notice in writing, authorise anti-personnel mines to be used, developed, produced, otherwise acquired, possessed, retained, imported or exported for the purposes of developing, or training persons in, techniques of mine detection, mine clearance, mine deactivation, or mine destruction.
(b) Anti-personnel mine
(i) means a mine designed to be exploded by the presence, proximity, or contact of a person, and that is capable of incapacitating, injuring, or killing one or more persons; but
(ii) does not include a mine designed to be detonated by the presence, proximity, or contact of a vehicle as opposed to a person and equipped with an anti-handling device.
Nature of licensing
Automatic
If Automatic, administrative purpose
Non-Automatic
If Non-Automatic, description of the notified Non-Automatic Licensing regime
Products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
The system is designed to meet the requirements of the Convention by restricting the quantity of anti-personnel mines imported to those required for the purposes of developing, or training persons in, techniques of mine detection, mine clearance, mine deactivation, or mine destruction. The Minister of Foreign Affairs must specify, by notice in the Gazette, the number of anti-personnel mines determined by the Minister to be the number that, for the time being, are absolutely necessary for the purposes described above.
Questions for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports
Importers must seek the approval of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, who must then give notice in writing as per 2.(a) above. See answers 6.1 - 6.11
The system applies to products originating from which country?
The system applies to goods originating in and coming from "all" countries.
Expected duration of licensing procedure
Legal requirements
Is the licensing statutorily required?
The Anti-Personnel Mines Prohibition Act 1998 prohibits the import of all anti-personnel landmines, except for anti-personnel mines to be used, developed, produced, otherwise acquired, possessed, retained, imported or exported for the purposes of developing, or training persons in, techniques of mine detection, mine clearance, mine deactivation, or mine destruction.
The licensing is statutorily required.
Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subject to licensing to administrative discretion?
The legislation does not leave designation of products to be subjected to licensing to administrative discretion (see answer to Q2 (i) above).
Is it possible for the government to abolish the system without legislative approval?
It is not possible for the government (or the executive branch) to abolish the system without legislative approval.
Eligibility of applicants
Is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation?
Yes.
What persons or firms are eligible to apply for a licence?
Is there a registration fee?
Is there a published list of authorized importers?
Contact point for information on eligibility
Ministry/Authority
Address
Telephone
Fax
E-mail address
Website
Contact officer
Submission of an application
Administrative body(ies) for submission of an application
Documentation requirements
What information is required in applications?
There are no specifically listed information requirements.
What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
Applicants would need to make a case to the Minister of Foreign Affairs for the importation of anti-personnel mines in conformance with the stated exemptions outlined in the Anti-Personnel Mines Prohibition Act 1998, and provide relevant details around type, quantity, storage and ultimate disposal.
Window of submission of an application
How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made?
Not applicable.
Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence can be made? If so, explain
No.
Issuing the license
Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
Not applicable. Those importing anti-personnel mines inadvertently could face prosecution.
Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence
Not applicable.
Which administrative body is responsible for approving application of licences?
Not applicable.
Must the applications be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval?
Not applicable.
Are there any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence?
No, other than compliance with the Anti-Personnel Mines Prohibition Act 1998.
Fees and other administrative charges
Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge?
There are no administrative charges for the process of obtaining permission to import anti personnel mines.
What is the amount of the fee or charge?
Is there any deposit or advance payment required associated with the issue of licences?
Not applicable.
Amount or rate?
Is it refundable?
What is the period of retention?
What is the purpose of this requirement?
Refusal of an application
Under what circumstances may an application for a licence be refused other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria?
None
Are the reasons for any refusal given to applicants?
Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence?
Although there is no statutory right of administrative appeal against any of the decisions by the Minister, applicants could seek a judicial review of an administrative decision through the courts.
If so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
Importation
Are there any limitations as to the period of year during which importation may be made?
No.
What documents are required upon actual importation?
Authorisation from the Minister of Foreign Affairs to import and designation by the Minister as an officer authorised to be in possession of anti-personnel mines as defined in the Anti-Personnel Mines Prohibition Act 1998. An import entry clearance would need to be completed with Customs before release of the goods.
Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
No.
Conditions of licensing
What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity be extended? How?
There is no set period of validity for an approval to import. It is possible a period of validity could be specified at the time of approval by the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
No.
Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
No.
Foreign Exchange
Is foreign exchange automatically provided by the banking authorities for goods to be imported?
Not applicable.
Is a licence required as a condition to obtaining foreign exchange?
Is foreign exchange always available to cover licences issued?
What formalities must be fulfilled for obtaining the foreign exchange?
The following questions are only for products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports (whether applicable globally or to a limited number of countries or whether established bilaterally or unilaterally)
Where is information on allocation and formalities for licences published? Is the overall amount published? The amount allocated to goods from each country? The maximum amount allocated to each importer? How to request any exceptions or derogations from the licensing requirement?
The Minister of Foreign Affairs must specify, by notice in the Gazette, the number of anti personnel mines determined by the Minister to be the number that, for the time being, are absolutely necessary for the purposes of developing, or training persons in, techniques of mine detection, mine clearance, mine deactivation, or mine destruction.
Is the size of the quota determined: on yearly, six-monthly or quarterly basis? Are there cases where the size of quota is determined on a yearly basis but licences are issued for imports on a six-monthly or quarterly basis? In the latter case, is it necessary for importers to apply for a fresh licence on a six-monthly or quarterly basis?
Volume quotas do not apply.
Are licences allocated for certain goods partly or only to domestic producers of like goods? What steps are taken to ensure that licences allocated are actually used for imports? Are unused allocations added to quotas for a succeeding period? Are names of importers to whom licences have been allocated made known to governments and export promotion bodies of exporting countries upon request? If not, for what reason? (Indicate products to which replies relate)
Not applicable.
From the time of announcing the opening of quotas, as indicated in I above, what is the period of time allowed for the submission of applications for licences?
Not applicable.
What are the minimum and maximum lengths of time for processing applications?
There are no minimum or maximum times for processing applications.
How much time remains, at a minimum, between the granting of licences and the date of opening of the period of importation?
There is no minimum or maximum time.
Is consideration of licence applications effected by a single administrative organ? Or must the application be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval? If so, which? Does the importer have to approach more than one administrative organ?
Consideration of applications is effected on the whole by a single administrative organ (the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, New Zealand). However, applications may be referred as required to other agencies for technical advice when assessing the stated purpose of the import, the capabilities of the importer to effect the stated purpose, and security assessments around the storage, use and disposal of the anti-personnel mines.
If the demand for licences cannot be fully satisfied, on what basis is the allocation to applicants made? First come, first served? Past performance? Is there a maximum amount to be allocated per applicant and if so, on what basis is it determined? What provision is made for new importers? Are applications examined simultaneously or on receipt?
The Minister of Foreign Affairs determines the number of anti-personnel mines required to meet any exceptions to the Act. Should an application have merit then the Minister could adjust the gazetted number of mines permitted in the country.
In the case of bilateral quotas or export restraint arrangements where export permits are issued by exporting countries, are import licences also required? If so, are licences issued automatically?
Not applicable.
In cases where imports are allocated on the basis of export permits only, how is the importing country informed of the effect given by the exporting countries to the understanding between the two countries?
Not applicable.
Are there products for which licences are issued on condition that goods should be exported and not sold in the domestic market?
No.