What our fees cover
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) calculates fees on a cost-recovery basis.
Activities and services we charge for include:
- import permits
- border clearance inspections
- food safety clearance for foods of high or increased regulatory interest
- inspection and sampling of imported food, associated with obtaining a food safety clearance.
Note, not all the fees on this page may apply to you and there could be other charges not listed here – like transport, storage, treatment, or laboratory costs.
Import permit
Some grain, seed, or nut products need a permit before they can be imported into New Zealand. The import health standard (IHS) for your product will tell you if a permit is needed.
| From 1 July 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fee type | Fee (excl GST) | Fee (incl GST) |
| • Application for permit to import plant material for processing and consumption (including grain/seeds) | $233.25 | $268.24 |
| * If processing your application takes longer than one-and-a-half hours, additional time will be charged at an hourly rate of $155.50 excluding GST or $178.83 including GST. | ||
Border clearance charges
MPI may charge you for costs related to inspecting your grain, seed, or nut products when they arrive in New Zealand.
The fee is $155.50 ($178.83 including GST) per hour for biosecurity inspectors.
You may also be charged extra fees if MPI's inspector has to:
- travel to inspect your goods
- wait before inspection can start
- work outside of normal hours.
Charges for food safety clearance
Some foods are a greater risk to consumers and public health. MPI has classed them as foods of either "high regulatory interest" or "increased regulatory interest".
These foods are listed in the Importing Food Notice and you'll need a food safety clearance to import them.
Food Notice: Requirements for Registered Food Importers and Imported Food for Sale (effective from 1 August 2024) [PDF, 448 KB]
You’ll be charged a clearance fee of $67.50 + gst. However, if it takes longer than 30 minutes to process the consignment, then the consignment will be subjected to further fees of $135 + gst per hour.
Other charges for obtaining a food safety clearance
MPI regularly inspects, samples, and tests imported foods to make sure they don't contain known hazards. If your consignment is tested, you'll be required to pay related costs. MPI will charge you for the sampling-officer's time and for delivering the sample to an accredited laboratory of your choice. (Note, the laboratory will charge you separately for the testing. Contact them for an estimate).
There's a minimum charge of $202.50, excluding GST ($232.88 including GST) for this activity. Should the process take longer than 1.5 hours, additional time is charged at $135 an hour, excluding GST ($155.25 an hour, including GST).
Find out more
Read about MPI's updated fees and charges
Biosecurity (Costs) Regulations 2010 – New Zealand Legislation
Food (Fees, Charges, and Levies) Regulations 2015 – New Zealand Legislation
Who to contact
If you have questions about MPI’s fees and charges, email info@mpi.govt.nz
