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PNG has not submitted any notifications to the Committee on Import Licensing since 1998. Prior authorization and/or licence requirements exist for certain imports mainly for security, public health and environmental reasons. Export controls and restrictions are also in place largely for the purpose of protecting wildlife, cultural heritage and the environment.

(...)PNG lacks legislation on genetically modified organisms; such imports are cleared for entry without any specific controls. A system of import permits, administered by the National Agriculture Quarantine and Inspection Authority (NAQIA), remains in place for: live animals, animal products, fish and fish products, plants, timber, plant products, biological organisms, sand, stone and gravel. (...)

In recent years, PNG's forests have been degraded and depleted due to excessive logging. The Government has decided to ban all round log exports by 2020. (...)

In 2014, an addendum to the DSP was launched, the National Strategy for Responsible Sustainable Development (NSRSD), 2010–30. It emphasizes the Government's desire to reduce the economy's reliance on non-renewable resource extraction, and encourages the development of environmentally sustainable industries and low-carbon technologies in pursuing a more inclusive economic growth path.(...)

In 2015, the National Trade Policy (NTP) 2017-32 was launched. PNG aims "to become an internationally competitive export-driven economy that is built on and aided by an expanding and efficient domestic market". The following six principles guide the implementation of the NTP and PNG's overall trade orientation: (...) PNG remains open to engaging with any trade or investment party in priority sectors, where such engagements are beneficial to the country and will contribute towards achieving its sustainable growth and development goals; (...)

PNG aims to achieve the following goals, through the NTP: (...)
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• identify, support and involve other institutions and actors in trade policy for sustainable development. Issues such as environmental impact, (...)

Main trade-related legislation, 2019
Area Legislation
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Environment International Trade (Flora and Fauna) Act, 1979; International Trade (Flora and Fauna) Regulations, 1982; Crocodile Trade (Protection) Act, 1974; Crocodile Trade (Protection) Regulations, 1980; Environment Act, 2000; Environmental Contaminants Act, 1978; Environmental Planning Act, 1978; Environmental Planning Regulations, 1992; Water Resources Regulations, 1982
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The Melanesian Free Trade Agreement and the MSG Private Sector Development Strategy, are two corner stones of the MSG 2038 Prosperity for All Plan. (...)Emphasis has been placed on adopting an inclusive approach to private-sector development, unleashing rural entrepreneurship, and heightening the resilience of the private sector to the impact of climate change. (...)

PNG has not submitted any notifications to the Committee on Import Licensing since 1998. At that time, it had affirmed the absence of procedures relevant to the Agreement on Import Licensing Procedures. Nevertheless, prior authorization and/or licence requirements remain in place for certain imports, mainly for security, public health and environmental reasons. (...)

Prohibited imports include (…) non-biodegradable plastic shopping bags (…)