REMINDER: Permit required for import of Electrical Appliances
Vanuatu has a law administered under the Department of Energy that establishes standards of energy efficiency for electrical products called the “Energy Efficiency of Electrical Appliances, Equipment and Lighting Products Act No.24 of 2016”.
The Act regulates the import of all Alternating Current (AC) Fridges, Freezers, Air conditioners, Televisions, Clothes Washers and Lighting products.
The objectives of the Act are to:
- Prohibit the importation of inefficient electrical products into the Vanuatu market;
- Establish minimum energy performance and energy labelling standards for electrical appliances;
- Create a registry database for efficient products; and
- Stop Vanuatu from becoming a dumping ground for poor quality or inefficient products.
All the regulated products must comply with the Australia (AS) and New Zealand (NZS) Minimum Energy Performance Standards and Labelling requirements of electrical appliances before they can be imported into Vanuatu (energy star rating or label should be fixed onto the product prior to importation or selling of the products).
Importers must provide an AS/NZS test report if a product is found to be non-compliant. Registered products can be checked at the AS/NZS appliance database website on www.energyrating.gov.au.
Importing a regulated product without a valid registration certificate/permit is a criminal offence and a penalty can be issued. The amount of penalty will depend on the type of offence committed.
The Department of Energy will seize and destroy/re-export a product if found to be imported illegally into Vanuatu without a valid registration certificate/permit.
The Act and regulation enforcement procedures apply to all businesses, government agencies, private importers and any imports for charity purposes.
All importers must note that they are required to apply for and obtain a registration certificate before placing any order to import the regulated products. All applications are done through the Vanuatu Electronic Single Window system (VeSW). A registration fee is also required.
More information on this can be obtained at the Department of Energy website on www.doe.gov.vu or call the Department of Energy on Tel: 25201 or 33425.
Some of the appliances mentioned above also use controlled substances or gases such as refrigerants.