CONTROL OF IMPORTS

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 65, 9 December 1938, Page 12

CONTROL OF IMPORTS

Licensing Requirements FIRST INSTALMENT OF EXEMPTIONS Gazette Notification The first instalment of exemptions from the import control regulations which came into force on Wednesday is published in the Gazette issued last evening. Under the regulations the Minister oi Customs has authority to exempt from the requirements of a licence any particular goods or classes of goods. Similarly, any such exemption can at any time be withdrawn, provided that this does not affect the continued exemption of goods already shipped to New Zealand at the time of such action.

The goods exempted by last night's notice are as follows: —

Goods which were on board ship for export to New Zealand on December 5, 1935.

Goods which were ordered prior to December 5, 1938, and which are imported into New Zealand not later than December 31, 1938. Bona fide gifts and goods not exceeding £lO in value (New Zealand currency) in respect of any one importation, imported by post by persons for their own use and not for the purposes of sale or business. Goods imported for exhibition at the New Zealand Centennial Exhibition and entered to be warehoused in the exhibition bond. Goods being the property of the Crown in respect of the Government of New Zealand. New Zealand produce returned to the Dominion in the same condition as it left the country. Goods exported for repair and return. Goods for the Governor-General. Exemption is also to be extended, to goods included under the following items of the Customs tariff: — Heirlooms not exceeding in value £lOO, on such conditions as may be approved by the Minister. Natural history specimens, and such ethnological or similar specimens as may be approved by the Minister. Official supplies, uniforms, Hags and such other articles as may be approved by the Minister, for the official use of consular officers, trade commissioners, or othef accredited representatives of any British or foreign Government.

Passengers’ baggage and effects, which are not intended for any other person or persons or for sale. Shipbuilders’ models of vessels, suited only for exhibition; models of inventions, as may be approved by the Minister.

A further notice brings the following goods within the scope of the regulations dealing with export licences: — Scrap metal. Gold exported through the post office.

The export licences regulations will not for the time being apply to the following goods:— Bona fide gifts. ■ Bona fide passengers’ baggage and effects. Goods exported temporarily for repair and return. Goods exported to the South Sea islands provided that the Collector of Customs is satisfied that the quantities so exported are not in excess of the usual quantities shipped by the exporter concerned.

GOODS ON ORDER Shipment Before End Of Year EXPLANATION BY MR. NASH The position of importers who have already placed orders for shipments to leave the exporting country not later than, the end of the year was explained yesterday by the Minister of Customs, Mr. Nash. He said the principle of admitting goods which were ordered before December 5 and imported not later than December 31, or which were "on the water” on December 5, would be extended to goods which left the exporting country in ships, arrangements for the loading of which, had already been made, and which sailed not later than December 31, 1038, provided, first, that there was clear evidence that the goods were ordered before December 5; and, secondly, that the quantity shipped was not abnormal. With, respect both to (a) goods which were on the water on December s.and to (b) goods ordered before December 5 and exported from the overseas country not later than December 31 and, in both cases, imported subsequent to December 31, an application for a licence must be lodged with the Collector of Customs at time of entry of the goods on importation. "It will also be necessary for importers to supply to the Collector of Customs at the port of intended importation of the goods, not later than December 15, copies or particulars of all orders placed overseas prior to December 5 for goods not yet imported,” said Mr. Nash. “Any goods shipped prior to January 1 and imported on or after that date will be included in any quota granted to an importer for importation during the first period, namely, January 1 to June 30, 1939, and applications for licences for the first period should include such goods. "As formerly stated, importers will be required to show in their applications in respect of goods for importation during the first period particulars of their importations of similar goods at tlie port in question during the six monthly periods, January 1 to June 30, 1939, and July 1 to December 31, 1939. In special cases applications in respect of a longer period than six months will be considered.”