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Before you start exporting

Exporting to other countries isn't easy. There are a lot of rules to follow, different government agencies and people to deal with, and sometimes quite complex systems to learn.

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is one of the 3 main government agencies involved in exporting. The others are the NZ Customs Service and New Zealand Trade & Enterprise.

If you're new to exporting, our beginner's guide (Ducks in a row) will give you a good overview of what's involved.

Beginner's guide to exporting (Ducks in a row)

Choose a market

Different markets have different rules and regulations for products entering their borders. Before you decide where to export to, you should:

  • check if your product has access to that market
  • check if you need an import permit for it
  • ideally, have an importer in the market
  • consider getting a reliable freight forwarder who works with that region.

You should also check whether your product needs:

  • an export certificate (sometimes called a health certificate or phytosanitary certificate)
  • to come from a registered manufacturer under a plan or programme, for example, a Risk Management Programme
  • to come from a manufacturer that's listed with export market Government authorities.

In some cases, you can only find these things out by reading password-protected documents, which you may not be able to access without registering as an exporter. Our export advice team can give you some information before you register.

Get help with exporting

Ensure your product meets requirements

For all primary industry exports, you need to meet both the New Zealand requirements and any additional overseas market requirements.

Requirements depend on the product you're exporting and the market you're exporting to, but can include things like:

  • operating under a particular plan or programme throughout production
  • having operations regularly verified by an approved verifier
  • including specific information on labels.

Exporting requirements

Check the steps to meet specific requirements for your product

Comply with New Zealand laws

Primary industry export requirements in New Zealand are covered by the following Acts:

Expand all

Find out more

We've got legal overviews you can read if you want to learn more about the regulation we administer for the primary sector.

Legal overviews  

Check if you need to register as an exporter

You need to register as an exporter with MPI if you export:

  • animals and animal products (like meat, seafood, live animals, live bees, germplasm, dairy products, and foods containing animal products)
  • fruit wine, cider, mead, wine products, and non-New Zealand grape wine
  • organic products produced under the Official Organic Assurance Programme (OOAP) that are destined for certain markets.

You don't need to register as an exporter with MPI if you export:

  • non-animal-product food products
  • wine made from New Zealand grapes
  • plant products
  • animals for non-commercial reasons, like pet cats and dogs.

All exporters will still need to meet other export or destination country requirements.

If you export organic products under the OOAP you may need to register twice:

  1. as an organics exporter
  2. if necessary, also register as an exporter of your product.

For example, if you export organic meat under the OOAP you need to register as an animal products exporter, then register separately as an organics exporter.

But if you export organic New Zealand grape wine under the OOAP, you still need to register as an organic exporter, even though you don’t need to register as a wine exporter.

Register as an exporter

Register as an organics exporter

If you need an export certificate

We use E-cert (electronic certification) to manage and track many products that will be exported and to issue official assurances or export certificates.

There are different e-cert applications for different products:

If your product is not managed through an electronic certification system, it may not need MPI certification. You'll need to check the requirements of the importing country.

If you are exporting food products manufactured in New Zealand, you may need a Free Sale Certificate (FSC) or a Free Sale Statement (FSS).

Free Sale Certificates and Free Sale Statements

If you are exporting organic products under the OOAP, you will need an official organic assurance in addition to any certificates needed for your product type.

Request an export certificate

An export certificate is a type of official assurance that provides an importing country with confirmation from the New Zealand Government (MPI) that your product or commodity meets specified standards and requirements. You don't need one for all products.

Most export certificates are applied for through an e-cert system, but some are done differently.

Get an export certificate

Report any problems with an export

If you export animal products or material, or wine, you must report export non-conformances to MPI within 24 hours. If you don't, there are penalties. Non-conformance is when your product no longer meets requirements or is turned back at the border.

The reporting provides MPI with essential details for discussing issues with overseas counterparts, which may lead to improved access arrangements.

Export non-conformance

MPI business units