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What is a non-conformance

You must notify MPI if the products you have exported, or are about to export:

  • aren't fit for their intended purpose. This may be due to any event which occurred or could have occurred prior to entry into the destination country (regardless of when it was detected)
  • are refused entry by the government of the destination country
  • do not meet, or no longer meet relevant Overseas Market Access Requirements
  • do not have, or no longer have the required official assurances.

How to report non-conformances

If you export wine or animal products and they become non-conforming (non-compliant), you must notify the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) as soon as possible. This must not be later than 24 hours after the event or after you find out about it.

For products that have not yet left New Zealand, your obligation to notify MPI begins at the time the product leaves the final MPI registered or listed operator. This excludes transporters.

For animal products

You can use an MPI form to ensure you include all the information we need. You can also use your own form, as long as your notification contains all the necessary information.

Exporter non-conformance reporting form for animal products [PDF, 132 KB]

Email your report to food.assurance@mpi.govt.nz

For wine

Send us details of the non-conformance, including:

  • the date it was identified
  • the destination country and location of the wine
  • why it doesn't comply
  • wine details (including quantity, volume, type)
  • what you've done about it.

Email your report to wine.query@mpi.govt.nz

If you're not sure it's a non-conformance

The export non-conformance (ENC) guidance document and decision tree have more information about the process for animal products. They will help you decide whether the issue should be reported as an export non-conformance or not.

If you're still not sure, contact us.

Why you need to report promptly

Export non-conformances (ENCs) can have a serious impact on trade and compromise New Zealand's reputation as a trusted supplier of food and food-related products. As an exporter, you are legally obliged to report them within 24 hours.

If you fail to comply with these obligations, even unintentionally, you can be fined. For full details, check the relevant Act.

Help with non-conformance issues

In some cases, MPI may be able to help you resolve market access issues. MPI can help only if you have notified the non-conformance and provided all the relevant details.

Cross Border e-commerce sales to China via bonded warehouse are at the commercial risk of the exporter and options for certification or return may be limited.

Options when dairy products exported to China via the e-commerce bonded warehouse channel are rejected [PDF, 142 KB]

Get a replacement export certificate

If your products have been refused entry at the border due to export certificate errors, and you need a replacement certificate or additional official assurance, you must follow the normal certificate replacement process. This is in addition to reporting the export non-conformance.

For animal products

Follow the specifications for replacement certificates in these Notices.

Animal Products Notice: Official Assurance Requirements [PDF, 401 KB]

Animal Products Notice: Official Assurance Requirements for Live Animals and Germplasm [PDF, 338 KB]

For wine

Contact MPI about getting a replacement certificate by emailing info@mpi.govt.nz

Bringing exports back into NZ

Meet biosecurity requirements

If you are bringing returned animal products back into New Zealand, you must first meet the biosecurity requirements outlined in the Returned New Zealand Animal Products Import Health Standard (IHS).

Returned New Zealand Animal Products IHS [PDF, 333 KB]

Returned animal products for re-export

If you intend to re-export your returned animal product with an MPI official assurance, you must also be able to provide evidence that it hasn't been opened or changed (evidence of non-manipulation). Your returned product may be inspected.

For non-dairy animal products, you must comply with the requirements in OMAR 01/172.

OMAR 01/172 Import of foreign animal material and products and return to NZ for domestic use or export [PDF, 163 KB]

For dairy products, you need to complete the form below and send it to food.assurance@mpi.govt.nz

Exported dairy product returned to New Zealand [DOC, 227 KB]

Live animals and germplasm

Due to disease risks, there are limited situations where live animals can be brought back to New Zealand.

For guidance, email animal.imports@mpi.govt.nz

Wine

If you are bringing your wine back into New Zealand, notify MPI by emailing details to wine.query@mpi.govt.nz

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