You cannot export hazardous waste out of New Zealand without a permit from us. The
information on this page will help you determine if your waste is classed as hazardous, if you
need a permit, and what the process is to gain a permit. Without the
right permit, your shipment may be seized at a New Zealand port or may
be refused entry en route, or at the destination. This could cost you
time and money.
Stage 1: Determine if your waste is hazardous
Hazardous waste is defined by the Basel Agreement, Annex I and is specified in schedule 3 of the Prohibition Order. Some examples of hazardous waste covered by the agreement include:
- clinical and pharmaceutical wastes
- wastes from the manufacture of preserving chemicals and organic solvents
- waste hydrocarbons and certain polychlorinated/polybrominated plastics
- wastes from the production of inks, dyes, paints and varnish
- wastes from photographic chemicals and processing materials.
The Basel Convention agreement provides a comprehensive list. You can contact our Hazardous Substances team for advice regarding the classification of waste materials and the application process.
Once you have determined that your waste is hazardous, you are ready to start making an application for export.
Stage 2: Complete application form
The second stage in the application process is to complete the hazardous waste export application form.
Stage 3: Collate required supporting documentation
Five pieces of supporting documentation need to be submitted with the application to justify the export application, and to satisfy us that the waste material will be disposed of/recovered in a responsible way at the destination.
Refer to the Exporting Hazardous Waste Application Guide for a detailed list of the supporting documentations to be submitted with your hazardous waste export application form.
Stage 4: Submit the application
When you have collated the five complete pieces of information and filled in the hazardous waste export application form, submit these to us for assessment.
You can submit your application by:
- email to importexport@epa.govt.nz with ‘Hazardous waste export application’ in the subject line
- post to The Environmental Protection Authority, PO Box 131, Wellington 6140.
Forms and documents must be in a language acceptable to the relevant countries.
We require forms and documents in English, or with an English translation attached. Any translation needs to be undertaken by someone other than you. All information provided must be up-to-date, and no older than 12 months.
Assessment of your application may take longer if you have not completed all the requirements. We may also request more information.
Once we are satisfied that the application is complete it will be sent to all the other countries (transit and importing) for their consideration. These countries must agree to receive your shipments before we can issue you with a permit. This process will take some time (allow 30 – 80 working days or more). These countries may ask for more information and may consent to or reject your application.
Once all consents are received, we will make a final determination about issuing a permit. Any permit issued will have conditions added from us and the other countries. You must adhere to the conditions, or risk the following:
- your permit being revoked
- being prosecuted
- costly delays.
Other requirements
The process above outlines the application requirements for exporting hazardous waste from New Zealand under the Basel Convention guidelines. Beyond these requirements, some receiving countries (transit or final destination) may have extra application processes external to the EPA/Basel Convention process. If these processes are not met, notification applications will not be approved on the receiving end. This means we cannot approve export.
It is important to check with the Competent Authority of the receiving country (transit and final destination) whether any extra requirements or application/notification processes exist.
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