Information for importers and exporters

Most goods of Russian origin can still be imported but will be subject to a 35% tariff if they are included in a consignment of total value over NZ$1,000.

All Russian origin gold, oil, coal, gas and certain luxury goods (including caviar, vodka, cigars, perfumes, jewels, and precious metals), are not able to be imported.

Other luxury goods with a per item value over NZD$1,000 are also not able to be imported.

The full list of prohibited imports is contained in the sanctions register. If these items are imported, they will be seized by Customs and attract a 35% tariff.

You should also check the sanctions register to ensure that you are not dealing with a sanctioned individual or company or their associates.

It’s worth noting that you may face practical challenges trading with Russia, including difficulties with international shipping and financial transactions.

If you are thinking of importing goods from a sanctioned country, you may wish to ask yourself the following questions: 

• What is the country of origin of the goods?
• If the country of origin is not Russia, am I comfortable that the goods originate from where it is said they come from?
• Have I checked whether the good is on the list of prohibited imports of Russian origin?
• If the good is a prohibited import and you wish to apply for an exemption, do this before the goods are paid for or shipped.
• How is this customer suggesting I pay them? Have I spoken to my bank?

Prohibited imports will be seized by Customs. These imports will also be subject to the 35% tariff, even where the consignment value is less than $1,000 (see s70 of the Customs and Excise Regulations 1996).

The increased tariff is part of a series of economic actions we have taken against Russia under the Russia Sanctions Act. 35% represents a high tariff barrier, particularly for the kind of products that New Zealand has imported from Russia in the past, most of which formerly attracted zero tariff. So, Russian products are unlikely to be competitive in the New Zealand market any longer.
This is consistent with the approach a number of our partners have taken. In practice, the effect of the tariff has meant a significant drop in imports coming from Russia.

New Zealand has also applied import bans on certain goods of Russian origin, such as gold, oil, coal, gas and luxury goods (including caviar, vodka, cigars, perfumes, jewels, and precious metals).

New Zealand’s oil largely comes from Asia. When oil is sufficiently transformed its origin is considered to be the place where it underwent transformation. For example, Russian oil, further processed in a third country, would be considered to have originated from that third country.

The intent is not to stop Russia producing or selling oil, but to reduce Russia’s overall profit from its sales of oil and to ensure New Zealand is not adding to this profit.

For more information, see MFAT’s guidance on Russian energy products.

We have imposed a ban on the import of some luxury goods of Russian origin. This includes caviar, vodka, cigars, perfumes, jewels, precious metals and other items valued over NZ$1000, and applies to Russian origin products no matter where they are imported from.

Other food products of Russian origin are still able to be imported, but will attract the 35% import tariff if they are valued over $1,000.

Yes, importing prohibited luxury goods of Russian origin is allowed if they are personal effects. Personal effects are considered:

• Things accompanying you when travelling, e.g., clothing.
• Household goods as part of a consignment if you are relocating, e.g., moving to New Zealand.

If certain criteria are met, people coming to live in New Zealand are permitted to import their used domestic and personal goods free of duty. This is outlined in reference 80 in Part II (Concessions) of the Working Tariff Document of New Zealand, which can be found on the New Zealand Customs Service website. This website also includes information on how to make an application for a concession.

The sanctions register contains a list of prohibited exports to Russia and Belarus, which include items of strategic importance, oil exploration and oil production products, and luxury goods like wine and seafood. Other goods may still be exported to Russia, subject to the requirements below.

New Zealand’s export bans to Russia and Belarus are applied broadly, including where goods are received in a third country for on-forwarding to, or for the benefit of, Russia or Belarus.

You should check the sanctions register to ensure that you are not dealing with a sanctioned individual or company or their associates.

Also prohibited are strategic items under our export controls regime. Please ensure that you are not violating sanctions or export control laws. If you are unsure about a specific product, we recommend you seek legal advice.
Be aware of shipping delays and difficulties in completing transactions. Speak to your freight forwarder about shipping, contact your bank to understand possible complications of completing transactions and seek qualified legal advice.

At this time you can sell items to Belarus provided you are not dealing with an individual or entity identified in the Regulations (see the sanctions register), if the items are not listed among the prohibited exports to Belarus (as outlined in the sanctions register), or covered by current export controls, and provided the final destination of the goods is not Russia.

Be aware of shipping delays and difficulties in completing transactions. Speak to your freight forwarder about shipping, contact your bank to understand possible complications of completing transactions and seek qualified legal advice.

We have imposed a ban on the export of luxury food and beverages to Russia. This includes high-end products like wine and certain types of seafood like lobster. Other food products are still able to be exported to Russia.

Exports of prohibited items will be permitted if they are made in good faith for a humanitarian purpose and doing so is consistent with the purposes of the Russia Sanctions Regulations 2022 (regulation 14).

Be cognisant of shipping delays and difficulties in completing transactions. Speak to your freight forwarder about shipping, contact your bank to understand possible complications of completing transactions and seek legal advice.

If you are thinking of exporting goods to a sanctioned country, before proceeding, consider the following due diligence questions:

• Am I comfortable that the final recipient is not a sanctioned individual or entity or acting on behalf of one?
• Have I checked whether my export is on the list of prohibited exports?
• Is this a new client or is it someone I know well? If they are new, why have they come to me now?
• How is this customer intending to pay me? Am I confident that this will work? Have I spoken to my bank?

Many of the major shipping lines have suspended deliveries of non-essential goods to Russia itself. Essential goods, such as humanitarian goods like food, are still being shipped.

While freight connections for essential goods may still be functioning, there are blockages elsewhere in the system. Measures imposed by others like sanctions, restrictions on financial transfers, and restrictions at ports may impede flows of freight.

New Zealand companies should think about future-proofing cost structures and the cost of the market models. You need to consider that, not just from a Russia/Ukraine perspective, but also in a European context and globally. With much of Europe not being significantly impacted, exporters are advised to engage regularly with their clients and also with NZTE.

You must not provide any services to a sanctioned individual or entity, or their associates. There are limited exceptions – please see Regulation 12. You can search the sanctions register on the MFAT website to find whether an individual or entity has been sanctioned.

We encourage you to conduct your own due diligence to ensure you are not dealing with an associate of a sanctioned individual or entity and ask similar questions of your client or provider. If you are unsure, we recommend you seek legal advice.

You may provide services to individuals or entities that are not sanctioned. However, you may face practical challenges in receiving payment for your services. We recommend you speak to your bank about receipt of payments.

The same restrictions apply here. You must not provide any services to a sanctioned individual or entity or their associates. This includes the provision of follow up services, trouble shooting and any requests for assistance or advice. You may provide services to customers who are not sanctioned.

The same restrictions apply here. You must not provide services to a sanctioned individual or entity or their associates. You may provide services to customers who are not sanctioned.