Transboundary movement control of all e-waste under the Basel Convention

Closed 28 Aug 2024

Opened 31 Jul 2024

Results updated 5 Feb 2025

International rules for shipping e-waste changed on 1 January 2025 due to changes to the Basel Convention.

From this date, all e-waste shipped internationally will require consent from the importing and any transit countries. E-waste may be returned at your cost if you do not have consent.

In New Zealand, you already need consent to import and export hazardous e-waste.

The domestic regulations for the amendments for non-hazardous e-waste are not yet in place in New Zealand. This means you cannot yet apply for a permit to ship non-hazardous e-waste.

You will need to store non-hazardous e-waste until the new regulations are in effect. We are endeavouring to implement the non-hazardous e-waste amendments as soon as practically possible.

Please continue to apply for a permit from the Environmental Protection Authority to ship hazardous e-waste: Shipping hazardous waste | EPA.

Overview

The Government intends to implement a decision under the Basel Convention  to better manage the international trade in e-waste. It proposed to introduce regulations to do so.

The Government proposed to introduce regulations so that prior informed consent is also required to import or export non-hazardous e-waste under the Imports and Exports (Restrictions) Prohibition Order (No 2) 2004.

Read the full consultation document [PDF,  1.3 MB]