Some import and export restrictions change
Restrictions on some imports and exports change.
Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004 Amendment Order 2026
What's changing
- Exports of long-chain perfluorocarboxylic acids and related compounds would be prohibited, with some exceptions.
- Exports of medium-chain chlorinated paraffins would be prohibited, with some exceptions.
- Exports of chlorpyrifos would be prohibited, with some exceptions.
- Some trace contamination would no longer qualify for an exception from the export ban.
Who's affected
People and businesses in New Zealand exporting these chemicals, or products containing them, would be affected.
When
The changes for trace contamination, long-chain chemicals, and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins would start on 16 December 2026; the chlorpyrifos change would start on 8 July 2027.
What you might need to do
- Check whether goods you export contain any of the listed chemicals.
- Do not export affected chemicals or products unless an exception applies.
Background
The government says the changes are mainly needed to reflect changes made in 2025 to the Stockholm Convention, which New Zealand has joined. The government says the trace-contamination change will bring New Zealand’s export rules into line with that Convention.