Twenty percent or more of New Zealand’s total net imports of new HFCs each year will be available for special import permits. Anyone can apply for a special import permit, but you must give justification for your application, which is required by law (we tell you more about this below).
You may apply for a special import permit even if you have grandparented eligibility, in addition to your allocation under that eligibility. These permits are generally valid for one calendar year, but may be extended to three years.
We have already considered applications for special permits for imports during the calendar year 2022:
HFC special permit decision for 2022 September 2021 (PDF, 305KB)
HFC special permit decision for 2022 Appendix 1 (PDF, 122KB)
We received no submissions on the proposed special permit decision for 2022:
Final determination on the proposed adverse decision on special permits to import new bulk hydrofluorocarbons 2021 (PDF, 93KB)
We have already considered applications for special permits for imports during the calendar year 2021:
HFC special permit decision for 2021 September 2020 (PDF, 315KB)
HFC special permit decision for 2021 Appendix 1 (PDF, 168KB)
We received no submissions on the proposed special permit decision for 2021:
Final determination on the proposed adverse decision on special permits to import new bulk hydrofluorocarbons 2020 (PDF, 100KB)
We have already considered applications for special permits for imports during the calendar year 2020:
HFC special permit decision for 2020 September 2019 (PDF, 652KB)
HFC special permit decision for 2020 Appendix 1 (PDF, 165KB)
We received one submission on the proposed special permit decision for 2020:
Final determination on the proposed adverse decision on special permits to import new bulk hydrofluorocarbons 2019 (PDF, 217KB)
How to apply for a special import permit
1. Download and complete the application form. Note that you must calculate, and state in your application, the carbon dioxide equivalent in tonnes of the new bulk HFCs that you intend to import into New Zealand during the following calendar year. You must also:
- tell us if you hold or have applied for a grandparented eligibility for the same calendar year, and if so, how much of your eligibility is used or accounted for
- show that you are committed to using cost-effective alternatives to HFCs in the longer-term
- if applicable, show us that you tried to obtain grandparented eligibility to import new bulk HFCs by a transfer of eligibility
- tell us about any energy efficiency or other environmental advantages occurring as a result of receiving a special import permit, and
- include proof of any negative economic or social impacts if you don't receive a special import permit.
OLPA HFC Annual Import Application Form (DOCX, 101KB)
How to calculate the carbon dioxide equivalent for your HFC consignment
Use our online tool to calculate the carbon dioxide equivalent for your HFC consignment (XLXS, 30KB)
Note: This tool is for calculation purposes only to assist the preparation of your application. It is not indicative of the final amount of HFCs that you may be eligible to import.
The deadline for applications each year is 1 July (six months before the start of the calendar year of your intended import). We cannot accept late applications. (Under the law, we are unable to consider any applications arriving after 1 July.)
2. Send your application form, and all supporting information, preferably by email to ozone@epa.govt.nz. Please include "Application for HFC special import permit" in the subject line, and name all attachments so that we can easily identify them. Alternatively, mail your application to: HS Applications team, Environmental Protection Authority, Private Bag 63002, Wellington 6140, New Zealand.
Please contact us if you have any questions by email at: ozone@epa.govt.nz or freephone (within New Zealand) on 0800 2255 372 (0800 CALL EPA).
We will contact you if we need any more information, and when we need it by. We will not be able to process your application unless all required information is supplied.
We will consider all of the completed applications for special imports together. While allocating permits, we must ensure that the combined HFC allocated in all permits does not exceed New Zealand’s limit for that year. The permit will state the period for which it is valid, the amount of HFCs that can be imported (the carbon dioxide equivalent), and any other conditions of use. Please note that we may publish details of all applications for special import permits and permit holders on our website.