Endangered, threatened species
- Document symbol
- G/LIC/N/3/NZL/10
- Original language
- English
- Published on
- 08/11/2023
Outline of Systems
Q1. Give a brief description of each licensing system as a whole and, with respect to each, reply to the following questions as relevant, placing all of the material with respect to a given system in sequence together, and using cross references as appropriate when elements which have already been described are also present in another system.
Under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), documentation is required for the import, export, re-export and introduction from the sea of species listed in its Appendices. The nature of permitting varies depending on: the Appendix in which the species is listed; the age of the specimen; and the nature of the specimen (e.g. personal effects, scientific samples, etc.). All parts and derivatives of species are included. Permits are obtained by the CITES Management Authority in each country.
Purposes and Coverage of Licensing
Q2. Identify each licensing system maintained and state what products, appropriately grouped, are covered.
All parts and derivatives of species listed in the CITES Appendices.
Q3. The system applies to goods originating in and coming from which countries?
All Parties to the CITES Treaty. Non-parties trading CITES listed species with CITES Parties are also required to use equivalent documentation.
Q4. Is the licensing intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports, and if not, what are its purposes? Have alternative methods of accomplishing the purposes been considered and if so which? Why have they not been adopted?
Licensing is intended to ensure that harvesting for trade does not impact the long-term survival of endangered species in the wild.
Q5. Cite the law, regulation and/or administrative order under which the licensing is maintained. Is the licensing statutorily required? Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subjected to licensing to administrative discretion? Is it possible for the government (or the executive branch) to abolish the system without legislative approval?
In New Zealand, Trade in Endangered Species Act 1989.
Procedures
Q6. 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):
Q6.I. Is information published, and where, concerning allocation of quotas and formalities of filing applications for licences? If not, how is it brought to the attention of possible importers? Of governments and export promotion bodies of exporting countries and their trade representatives? 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?
Q6.II. How is the size of the quotas determined: on a 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 fresh licence on a six-monthly or quarterly basis?
Q6.III. Are licences allotted 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 the 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.)
Q6.IV. 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?
Q6.V. What are the minimum and maximum lengths of time for processing applications?
Q6.VI. How much time remains, at a minimum, between the granting of licences and the date of opening of the period of importation?
Q6.VII. 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?
Q6.VIII. 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?
Q6.IX. 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?
Q6.X. In cases where imports are allowed 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?
Q6.XI. Are there products for which licences are issued on condition that goods should be exported and not sold in the domestic market?
Q7. Where there is no quantitative limit on importation of a product or on imports from a particular country:
Q7.a. How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made? Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence (for example, owing to inadvertency)?
Q7.b. Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
In New Zealand, we aim to process all permits within 20 working days (though it usually takes five-ten days).
Q7.c. Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence and/or importation may be made? If so, explain.
Q7.d. 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?
All CITES permits are granted by the Department of Conservation. Permit signatories must be lodged with the CITES Secretariat to ensure a system of checking veracity of permits (for example through signatures).
Q8. Under what circumstances may an application for a licence be refused other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria? Are the reasons for any refusal given to the applicant? Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence and, if so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
An application for a permit may be refused if criteria are not met. No applications have been declined due to other reasons.
Eligibility of Importers to Apply for Licence
Q9. Are all persons, firms and institutions eligible to apply for licences: (If not, is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation? What persons or firms are eligible? Is there a registration fee? Is there a published list of authorized importers?) a) under restrictive licensing systems? b) under non-restrictive systems?
All persons, firms and institutions are eligible to apply for permits.
Documentational and Other Requirements for Application for Licence
Q10. What information is required in applications? Submit a sample form. What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
Full information about the importer and the specimen to be traded is required. Application form is available here: www.doc.govt.nz/cites.
Q11. What documents are required upon actual importation?
Original permits must accompany the consignment, and are collected by the border control agency in the country of import.
Q12. Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge? If so, what is the amount of the fee or charge?
New Zealand fees are indicated on the webpage specified under Question 10. If permits are required by other countries (for example in a situation where both import and export permits are required), applicants must pay those. Prices vary by country, so this information is not available.
Q13. Is there any deposit or advance payment requirement associated with the issue of licences? If so, state the amount or rate, whether it is refundable, the period of retention and the purpose of the requirement.
Payment must be received before a permit can be issued.
Conditions of Licensing
Q14. What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity of a licence be extended? How?
New Zealand permits cannot be extended, as they cannot be tampered with. CITES permits issued by the New Zealand CITES authorities are printed on security paper containing a watermark and holographic DOC logo, so originals (not tampered with) must be used. Permits are valid for up to six months (unless a shorter term is specified) and they cannot be extended.
Q15. Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
There is no penalty for non-use of an issued CITES permit if the trade of the CITES species did not occur. There are penalties for trading in CITES species without appropriate permits or certificates. The penalties for infringement offences are dependent on the Appendix listing of the species imported - up to a maximum of $800 per offence. Fines are greater if the offence progresses to court.
Q16. Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
Permits are non-transferable.
Q17. Are any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence? a) for products subject to quantitative restriction? b) for products not subject to quantitative restriction?
Yes, permit conditions are included with this document (general conditions for all permits, special conditions for live bird exports).
Other Procedural Requirements
Q18. Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
None related to CITES requirements.