If you want to import animal fibre and feathers, you need to meet specific requirements to help reduce any biosecurity risks. We've created a step-by-step process so you can see what's involved.
Certain types of animal fibre and feathers are usually allowed to be imported to New Zealand, including:
An overview of importing fibres and feathers from start to finish.
Processes for importing products related to fibre and feathers are elsewhere on the website. Follow these steps if you're importing:
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 requirements for importing wood packaging.
The tasks you need to complete.
The import health standard (IHS) for your animal fibre and feathers will tell you what you need to do to import your product into New Zealand.
If your product doesn't meet all of the IHS requirements (for example, if it has been treated using a different method from that listed in the IHS), you can ask MPI to assess 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 scouring times and temperatures, and other processing details).
You'll also need to provide MPI with supporting information, as listed in the IHS. If your equivalence request is approved, MPI will issue a biosecurity import permit.
To ask about equivalence, email animal.imports@mpi.govt.nz.
You may need to get a veterinary certificate confirming your fibre is free from disease and/or has been processed in a specified way. This needs to be filled out, signed and stamped by an official veterinarian from the country of export.
Refer to the IHS or guidance document for more information about your type of fibre, and for a model veterinary certificate.
You may need to get a declaration from the manufacturer or a fibre certifier confirming your fibre has been treated in a specific way.
Check the IHS or guidance document for more information about your feather or fibre product, and for a model manufacturer's declaration.
All imported fibre and feather products that require further processing need to go a transitional facility (which must be listed on your import permit) and be treated according to the requirements of the IHS.
MPI approves transitional facilities to hold and manage goods that are imported into New Zealand that may have some associated biosecurity risk. You or your customs broker need to arrange for your products to be transferred to an approved transitional facility.
The IHS will tell you if you need to apply to MPI for a permit to import your product into New Zealand.
Download permit application form to import animal products:
The IHS tells you what documentation you'll need to accompany your fibre and feathers on arrival in New Zealand. Documents may include:
Check with the New Zealand Customs Service whether:
Visit the New Zealand Customs Service website to:
Some products are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and cannot be transported between countries, or can only be imported with a CITES permit.
Find out more about the CITES agreement on the Department of Conservation website
An MPI inspector will check your documentation and may examine the consignment when it arrives in New Zealand to make sure it complies with the IHS.
If contamination (such as live organisms) is found in a container or your fibre or feathers, an MPI inspector will tell you your options for the consignment. Depending on the type of pest or disease found, you may:
How to know you've met MPI requirements.
Your consignment will be cleared when the MPI inspector is satisfied all documentation is complete and the import conditions of the import health standard (IHS) have been met.
Your consignment will be authorised to be moved to the transitional facility listed on your permit if it needs further processing.
Fibres and feathers that do not meet the requirements of the IHS will need to be either treated, reshipped, or destroyed.
It is the responsibility of the importer to ensure that the consignment is accompanied by any permits required to meet the legislation of the country of origin and CITES.
Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species
The Department of Conservation (DOC) website has more details.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) – DOC
Before shipping, importers should clarify the status of the species of animal in relation to international agreements on their trade.
Material arriving in New Zealand without the relevant CITES permits may be seized by DOC.
If you have questions about importing fibre and feathers, email animal.imports@mpi.govt.nz
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