This page provides links to sanctions-related resources from New Zealand’s principal regulatory bodies, covering financial sanctions, Russia sanctions, UN sanctions, and export controls. New Zealand’s sanctions framework is led by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), which administers the Russia Sanctions Act 2022, UN sanctions under the United Nations Act 1946, and export controls. The New Zealand Customs Service enforces trade-related sanctions measures at the border, and the New Zealand Police Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) receives reports of suspected sanctions breaches from duty holders. Retrieved: July 3, 2026.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) – Manatu Aorere

MFAT is New Zealand’s primary sanctions authority. It administers the Russia Sanctions Act 2022 (passed unanimously by Parliament on 9 March 2022), implements all UN Security Council sanctions through regulations under the United Nations Act 1946, and administers the export controls regime for military, dual-use, catch-all and chemical goods. MFAT also coordinates the multi-agency Russia Sanctions Governance Group alongside New Zealand Customs, the New Zealand Police, and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand.

Designated Persons Lists and Screening Tools

• Russia Sanctions Register – Regularly updated register of all individuals and entities designated under New Zealand’s Russia sanctions, with separate tabs covering designated persons, prohibited assets and services, and trade measures (prohibited HS codes for exports and imports). Subscribe for update notifications. The authoritative screening reference for New Zealand Russia sanctions compliance.

Legislation and Regulations

• Russia Sanctions Act 2022 – Primary legislation giving the Minister of Foreign Affairs power to impose sanctions in response to threats to the sovereignty or territorial integrity of Ukraine or another country. The basis for all Russia, Belarus, Iran, and DPRK designations made outside the UN framework.
• Russia Sanctions Regulations 2022 – Principal regulations implementing Russia sanctions, prescribing all seven types of prohibitions (travel bans, transport bans, assets, securities, services, exports, imports), the designated persons list, and the prohibited goods register. This link resolves to the current consolidated version (as at 20 February 2026); the regulations are revoked at the close of 17 March 2028 unless extended.
• United Nations Act 1946 – The legislative basis under which New Zealand implements all UN Security Council sanctions through domestic regulations, enabling rapid response to new UNSC decisions.

Sanctions Programs and Regimes

• Russia Sanctions – MFAT Main Page – MFAT central landing page for all Russia sanctions resources, linking to the overview, latest updates, publications and guidance library, the sanctions register, UN sanctions, Iran sanctions, exemptions process, importer/exporter guidance, financial sector guidance, transport sector guidance, and the statutory review.
• Overview of Sanctions Against Russia – Comprehensive overview of all seven types of Russia sanctions prohibitions and their scope; who must comply (all New Zealand persons including overseas-operating NZ businesses and entities); the 35% import tariff; oil, gas, coal and gold import bans; export prohibitions; the G7 oil price cap (implemented April 2024, rate updated February 2026); Belarus-related sanctions; oil price cap mechanics; exemptions; and compliance reporting obligations. Includes a full FAQ section.
• UN Sanctions – Main Page – MFAT page on New Zealand’s implementation of all UN Security Council sanctions under the United Nations Act 1946, with a table of all current sanctions regimes: Iran (2025), Mali, Libya, Somalia (2018), North Korea (2017), South Sudan, Syria Cultural Property (2015), Central African Republic, Yemen (2014), Guinea-Bissau (2012), Eritrea (2010), Lebanon (2008), ISIL/Al-Qaida/Taliban (2007), DRC, Kimberley Process, Sudan (2004), Iraq (1991, 2003).
• Iran Sanctions – MFAT page on UN sanctions against Iran. Following the E3 snapback, UNSC sanctions (Resolutions 1737, 1747, 1803 and 1929) were reimposed on 28 September 2025 and implemented domestically through the United Nations Sanctions (Iran) Regulations 2025, including a compulsory business registration scheme for New Zealanders doing business with Iran that came into force on 1 February 2026.
• North Korea Sanctions – MFAT page on UN sanctions against the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (regulations from 2017).
• ISIL (Da’esh), Al-Qaida and the Taliban Sanctions – MFAT page on UN sanctions against ISIL, Al-Qaida, the Taliban and associated individuals and entities.

Trade Sanctions and Export Controls

• Export Controls – Main Page – MFAT central page for New Zealand’s export controls regime: controls on military, dual-use, catch-all and chemical goods whose export may harm New Zealand’s security or national interests or contribute to human rights abuse. Links to all sub-pages on permit application, due diligence, chemicals, brokering, training, transparency, and FAQs.
• Which Exports Are Controlled? – Guidance on which military, dual-use and military end-use goods are controlled under the export controls regime, and how to self-assess whether your goods are subject to controls.
• Due Diligence and Awareness – Export controls due diligence obligations for exporters, with red flag indicators for attempts to circumvent controls.
• Brokering Weapons and Dual-Use Items for Military Use – Registration and permit requirements for any brokering activity involving controlled military and dual-use goods between foreign countries.
• Exporting and Importing Controlled Chemicals – Controls on certain chemicals due to their potential use as or in making chemical weapons, including permit requirements for export and import.
• Information for Importers and Exporters (Russia Sanctions) – Russia-specific guidance for importers and exporters: prohibited export HS codes, import bans on oil/gas/coal/gold and luxury goods, the 35% tariff on Russian-origin goods, indirect export prohibitions, and the oil price cap implementation.

Licensing – Application Procedures and Forms

• How to Apply for an Export Controls Permit – Application procedures for export control permits: how to determine which permit type is required, documentation needed, and how to submit an application. Permit applications are free of charge.
• Exceptions, Exemptions and Revocations (Russia Sanctions) – How to apply for an exemption from, or amendment or revocation of, a Russia Sanctions regulation or designation notice.

Compliance Guidance – General

• Publications and Guidance (Russia Sanctions) – MFAT’s central library of Russia sanctions guidance documents, including the Regulatory Charter, due diligence guidance, permitted activities guidance, sector-specific guidance notes (including the wine industry note), the independent review report, and the statutory review materials.
• Russia Sanctions Regulatory Charter (PDF) – Governance document explaining New Zealand’s Russia sanctions regulatory system: roles of the four core agencies (MFAT, NZ Police, NZ Customs, RBNZ), the Russia Sanctions Governance Group coordinating mechanism, and the system’s objectives and design principles.
• Russia Sanctions Guidance: Compliance, Due Diligence and Sanction Evasion (PDF) – Core compliance guidance explaining the risk-based due diligence approach required under the Russia Sanctions Act and Regulations, with red flag indicators for sanction evasion and worked examples of common evasion techniques.
• Guidance Note: Permitted Activities Including Exemptions (PDF) – Guidance on activities that are permitted or exempt under the Russia Sanctions Regulations, including the personal/household exception for New Zealanders in Russia.
• Financial Sector Information (Russia Sanctions) – Russia sanctions guidance for the financial sector as duty holders under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009, including asset freeze obligations, financial transaction prohibitions, and mandatory reporting requirements.
• Information for the Transport Sector (Russia Sanctions) – Guidance from the Ministry of Transport on Russia sanctions obligations for the transport sector, including aircraft and ship bans.

Compliance Guidance – By Geography or Program

• Guidance Note: Prohibition on Maritime Services for Russian Oil – New Zealand’s Oil Price Cap Implementation (PDF) – MFAT guidance on New Zealand’s implementation of the G7 oil price cap on Russian-origin crude oil and petroleum products (updated February 2026 following the price cap rate adjustment to USD44.10 per barrel implemented on 20 February 2026).
• Guidance Note: Determining the Origin of Russian Energy Products (PDF) – Guidance on how to determine the origin of oil, gas and coal products for the purposes of New Zealand’s Russia sanctions energy import bans.
• Guidance Note: Iran Sanctions (February 2026) (PDF) – MFAT guidance on the United Nations Sanctions (Iran) Regulations 2025: prohibitions on dealings related to designated persons, the duty to exercise vigilance when doing business with entities subject to Iranian jurisdiction, the compulsory business registration scheme (in force 1 February 2026), record-keeping obligations, and interaction with the export controls regime.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Export Controls FAQs – Comprehensive FAQs on New Zealand’s export controls regime covering controlled goods identification, permit eligibility and application, due diligence obligations, and enforcement.

Reporting and Voluntary Disclosure

• Who to Contact (Russia Sanctions) – Contact information for Russia sanctions queries: MFAT (RussiaSanctions@mfat.govt.nz), reporting channels for suspected breaches (Police 105 for general public; goAML for duty holders), and agency contacts by topic (trade measures, financial measures, transport).
• Export Controls Team Contact – MFAT Export Controls team contact page for advice on export permit applications and export controls compliance at any stage of the exporting process.

Annual Reports and Statistics

• Export Controls Transparency Reports – MFAT’s transparency approach for export controls, including annual reports on permit decisions, application volumes, approval and denial rates, and how MFAT protects exporters’ commercially sensitive information.

Background and Policy

• Russia Sanctions Act Statutory Review – Information on the statutory review of the Russia Sanctions Act required by section 29 of the Act. Public consultation ran from 29 October to 16 December 2024; the review was completed in June 2025, and in November 2025 the Minister of Foreign Affairs presented the report to Parliament. The review found the Act and its regulations to be fit for purpose and working as intended, and made 29 recommendations for targeted amendments and guidance updates, which MFAT’s Sanctions Unit has begun implementing.
• Report of the Statutory Review of the Russia Sanctions Act 2022 (June 2025) (PDF) – The completed statutory review report, containing 29 recommendations to enhance the operation and effectiveness of the Russia Sanctions Act and Regulations; presented to Parliament in November 2025.
• Review of the Russian Sanctions Regulatory Framework (2023) (PDF) – Independent review report by David Smol assessing the Russia sanctions regulatory framework’s policies, processes, systems and controls; provides insight into how the system is managed and where improvements were identified.
• Why Do We Have Export Controls? – History and rationale of New Zealand’s export controls regime, including key operational changes, public consultations and legislative developments.
• Purpose Statement: New Zealand’s Export Controls Regime – Statement of the purpose and objectives of New Zealand’s export controls system.
• Consultation on Export Controls Proposals: Strengthening New Zealand’s Export Controls Regime – Consultation materials on proposals to strengthen New Zealand’s export controls to address changing proliferation challenges involving strategic and military-related goods and technology.

New Zealand Customs Service – Te Mana Arai o Aotearoa

The New Zealand Customs Service enforces Russia sanctions trade measures at the border, including implementing import prohibitions and the 35% tariff on Russian-origin goods, enforcing export prohibitions, and checking strategic goods permits. New Zealand Customs publishes operational guidance for importers, exporters, customs brokers and declarants on the trade mechanics of sanctions implementation.

Trade Sanctions and Export Controls

• Russia Sanctions: Updated Regulations – Important Notices (NZ Customs) – NZ Customs important notices on Russia sanctions trade measures implementation, including operational details on prohibited HS codes, indirect export prohibitions, the 35% tariff mechanics in the Trade Single Window (TSW), and practical guidance for customs brokers and declarants. Check this page for the most current operational guidance.
• New Zealand Customs Service Homepage – NZ Customs central website; source of current trade sanctions operational guidance, important notices on Russia sanctions enforcement at the border, and permit checking requirements for controlled goods under the export controls regime.

New Zealand Police – Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU)

The New Zealand Police Financial Intelligence Unit receives mandatory reports of suspected sanctions breaches from duty holders under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009, as well as voluntary reports from the general public. The FIU does not administer sanctions but is the designated reporting channel for suspected breaches of Russia sanctions asset and services prohibitions.

Reporting and Voluntary Disclosure

• goAML Portal (NZ Police Financial Intelligence Unit) – Mandatory reporting portal for duty holders under the AML/CFT Act 2009 who suspect assets or services may be subject to Russia sanctions measures; also used for suspicious activity reports. Required reporting channel for AML/CFT reporting entities including banks, financial institutions, and other designated businesses.
• Police 105 – Non-Emergency Report – Non-emergency Police reporting channel for members of the public who suspect a Russia sanctions breach; select the ‘Russia Sanctions breach’ option on the 105 online reporting form. Available to all persons, not just duty holders.

Retrieved: July 3, 2026