What you need to know
An overview of importing honey and bee products from start to finish.
To import honey and bee products successfully you need to know about:
Biosecurity requirements
- ensuring your product is covered by an import health standard (IHS)
- complying with the requirements of the IHS
- having a permit to import (biosecurity permit), if needed
- relevant legislation
- arranging zoosanitary certificates and manufacturers' declarations, if needed
New Zealand Customs Service requirements
- product prohibitions and restrictions
- tariffs and permits
- using a customs broker
Food Act requirements
- food importer registration
- general requirements of registered food importers – sourcing and keeping food safe and suitable, records, and recalls
- the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code, including labelling, composition and restricted foods
- fees and charges that apply for services provided by MPI and other agencies.
Additional requirements
Organic food, irradiated food, genetically modified food, and supplemented foods have additional requirements besides the Food Act. Learn more:
- Organic food
- Irradiated food and ingredients [PDF, 125 KB]
- Genetically modified food and ingredients [PDF, 137 KB]
- Supplemented foods [PDF, 67 KB]
If you are importing honey, check that it's from a permitted country
Only honey from the following countries can be imported into New Zealand:
- Niue
- Pitcairn Island
- Samoa
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Solomon Islands.
This includes commercial consignments of honey and personal consignments of liquid honey.
Are you using wood packaging?
If your consignment is shipped to New Zealand on wooden pallets, or wood has been used to package any part of your consignment, you'll also need to comply with the requirements for importing wood packaging.
Follow the steps for importing wood packaging
Export goods returning to New Zealand
If you have New Zealand-origin bee products returning to New Zealand – for example, a consignment that has been rejected by an importing country – you'll need to meet the requirements of the IHS.
Download the IHS for specified processed bee products [PDF, 94 KB]
Exporters of honey and bee products or by-products are legally obliged to notify MPI if their export goods are returning to New Zealand and will be re-exported. You can use the export non-conformance report to do this.
Download the export non-conformance report [DOC, 226 KB]
What you need to do
The tasks you need to complete.
Meet biosecurity requirements
You'll need to understand and comply with the biosecurity requirements for your honey or bee product.
Find the import health standard for your product
Biosecurity requirements are detailed in documents called import health standards (IHS). The IHS for your product will tell you what you need to do to successfully import it, including any treatment requirements, arranging a zoosanitary certificate or a manufacturer's declaration, and getting a permit when required.
Bee products from all countries (other than the Pitcairn Islands) that are not for pet food or processed in-flight meals are imported under a single IHS.
Download the IHS for specified processed bee products [PDF, 94 KB]
Honey and bee products that are from the Pitcairn Islands or used in pet food or in-flight meals use a different IHS.
Search for the IHS for your honey and bee products
Requesting to import your product under equivalent measures (equivalence)
If your product doesn't meet all of the IHS requirements (for example, it has been treated using a different method from the one listed in the IHS), you can ask MPI about assessing your product under equivalent measures. This is known as "equivalence".
You'll need to supply information to show how the risks managed by the IHS will be managed to an equivalent level (for example, by providing information about treatment, cooking times, and temperatures, and other processing details).
You'll need to provide MPI with supporting information as listed in each IHS. If your request is approved, MPI will issue a biosecurity permit for your product. To ask about equivalence, email animal.imports@mpi.govt.nz
Options when your product is not included in the IHS
If there's no IHS for your product, you can't import it. However, you can ask MPI to consider developing a new IHS for your product.
To make a request, use a separate form for each commodity and email or post the form(s) and any additional information to MPI.
MPI prioritises each request for a new IHS, and it may take several years to finalise your request.
Read more about requesting an IHS
Arrange transitional storage
MPI approves transitional facilities to hold and manage imported goods that might have some associated biosecurity risk. These goods may be inspected or treated at the transitional facility before they can be cleared by MPI.
Bulk untreated bee products must go to an approved bee-proof transitional facility. You also need a biosecurity import permit for untreated bee products, and you'll need to identify the transitional facility on the permit.
You or your customs broker need to arrange for the transfer to the transitional facility, before your goods arrive in New Zealand.
Apply for an import permit online, if required
The IHS will tell you if an import permit is required. If needed, apply for a permit by completing an application online. Manual application forms are no longer available.
Payment is required when submitting an online application.
Processing time for permit application is 20 working days. Ensure you give us this time to process the application.
Online permit application – Animal and Plant Import Permits
If you have any questions about permits, email animal.imports@mpi.govt.nz
Read more about finding a transitional facility
All treatments at a transitional facility must be done by an approved treatment provider. You are liable for any costs associated with non-compliance or contamination.
Search for an approved treatment provider [PDF, 375 KB]
Meet New Zealand Customs Service requirements
Check with NZ Customs whether:
- you can import the product without restriction
- the product will be subject to duties or tariffs
- an NZ Customs permit is needed (such as for health products).
Visit the NZ Customs website to:
Consider using a customs broker
A customs broker will help you get import entry clearance. Some services provided by the New Zealand Customs Service can only be accessed by registered customs brokers.
Many freight and transport companies employ their own brokers but if you need help finding one, contact the Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Federation.
Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Federation
Meet Food Act requirements
Registered food importers
If you want to import food for sale in New Zealand, you must:
- register as a food importer with MPI, or
- use an agent who is registered as a food importer.
MPI lists registered food importers in a public database.
View the list of registered food importers
Note: To register as a food importer you or your company must be a New Zealand resident as defined in sections YD1 (for persons) or YD2 (for companies) of the Income Tax Act 2007.
Income Tax Act 2007 – NZ Legislation
Becoming a registered food importer
To register as a food importer, download and submit the Customs client registration form 224.
Your registration won't be completed until the form has been processed and the fee has been paid.
Find out more about how to register as a food importer
If you need help with registering, contact MPI by:
- email: approvals@mpi.govt.nz
- phone: 0800 008 333 or 04 894 2550
Comply with regulations and standards
Registered food importers must meet food safety requirements under the Food Act 2014. These include:
- confirming the safety and suitability of food they import
- safely handling and transporting food
- meeting specific requirements for foods identified as presenting a higher risk to consumers, also known as foods of high or increased regulatory interest.
All food businesses must comply with the Food Act 2014, Food Regulations 2015 and the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code. For example, food sold in retail shops must have labels in English, with a New Zealand distributor's name and address.
Read the guide to complying with labelling requirements [PDF, 1 MB]
Find out more about the code – Food Standards Australia New Zealand
Food Regulations 2015 – NZ Legislation
You must also comply with regulations about sourcing foods that are safe and suitable, storing and transporting those foods, and keeping records.
Getting your import documentation
How you know you've met MPI requirements
All imported honey and bee products need to have biosecurity clearance.
Biosecurity clearance
If a biosecurity inspector is satisfied that your products comply with the import health standard (IHS), clearance will be issued soon after your goods arrive.
If your products do not comply with an IHS, your goods may not be cleared. However, you may be given the chance to provide further documentation about your products.
