Electrical Equipment imported from Australia
[ Last Updated 29 June 2007 ]
Australia is one of our largest trading partners and much electrical equipment is imported into New Zealand from Australia. This Trans-Tasman trade has led to the signing of the Trans-Tasman Mutual Recognition Agreement (TTMRA) between the Australian and New Zealand Governments.
The net result of the TTMRA as it relates to electrical equipment imported into New Zealand from Australia is that anything that can be legally sold in Australia can be legally sold in New Zealand, irrespective of the regulatory requirements that apply to the electrical equipment in New Zealand.
To apply the TTMRA requirements, the imported electrical equipment must be imported directly from Australia. The TTMRA does not apply if the electrical equipment is imported directly into New Zealand from a third country even if it can be legally sold in Australia.
There can be exemptions listed to the TTMRA, but at the present time there are no exemptions for electrical equipment.
It is also worth noting that the TTMRA also applies to electrical equipment imported into Australia from New Zealand.
Here are some important points to note if you want to take advantage of the TTMRA to import electrical equipment from Australia:
- ensure that any electrical equipment that originates in a third country has first been imported into Australia and been cleared by Australian customs as an imported item;
- ensure that any item of electrical equipment that is a declared article in Australia, has been issued with an "approval to sell in Australia" by an Australian regulator or other authority acceptable in Australia. Obtain a copy of the Australian approval certificate and be satisfied that it covers the model or models that you are importing into New Zealand;
- ensure that any item of electrical equipment that is a non-declared article in Australia can in fact legally be sold in Australia and retain proof of this.
If you cannot obtain satisfactory documentation that the electrical equipment that you are importing from Australia can be legally sold in Australia then you must comply with the appropriate requirements detailed in Safety Compliance.
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