Follow the steps
What you need to know
An overview of importing processed food from animals from start to finish.
What this import process includes
This import process is for processed food containing animal products for human consumption including processed foods containing:
- fish and seafood
- meat and meat products
- dairy or egg products
- bee products
- other animal products such as collagen and gelatine.
If your processed food contains any other ingredient, such as plant-based products, then you need to comply with the import process for each ingredient.
Importing related products
Processes for importing products related to processed food from animals, like unprocessed animal products and supplemented foods, are elsewhere on the website. Follow these steps if you're importing:
- biological products and organisms (yeast)
- dairy
- eggs
- honey and bee products
- meat
- organic food
- pork
- poultry
- seafood
- supplemented food
To import processed foods from animals 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
- permits and certificates, if needed
- arranging manufacturer's declarations or treatment certificates, if needed
- booking a transitional facility, if required.
NZ 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
- foods classed of "high regulatory interest" and "increased regulatory interest" (these will require food safety clearance)
- how to get food safety clearance
- fees and charges that apply for services provided by MPI and other agencies.
Additional requirements
Organic food, irradiated food, genetically modified food, and supplemented food have additional requirements besides the Food Act. Learn more:
- Organic food
- Irradiated food and ingredients
- Genetically modified food and ingredients
- Supplemented food
Restrictions on importing trout
If you want to import foods containing trout for sale, you need to get approval from the Minister of Conservation.
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 requirements for importing wood packaging.
Follow the steps for importing wood packaging
Export goods returning New Zealand
All exporters are legally obliged to notify MPI if their export goods are being returned to New Zealand – for example, if a consignment has been rejected by an importing country.
Before the product is returned to New Zealand the exporter or importer should email the details to food.assurance@mpi.govt.nz.
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 product.
Find the import health standard (IHS) for your product
Biosecurity requirements are detailed in documents called import health standards. The import health standard (IHS) for your product will tell you what you need to do to successfully import it. This may include getting manufacturers' declarations, zoosanitary certificates, and testing/treatment certificates when required. You can often only import certain products from the countries listed or named in the IHS.
Specified requirements for processed foods containing risk animal products are listed in the IHS Specified foods for human consumption containing animal products. Check this IHS first for your product.
Download the IHS for importing specified foods containing animal products [PDF, 254 KB]
If your product isn't listed in the specified foods, search for the IHS for your product.
Search for the IHS for your product
Products that meet all of the requirements specified in the IHS are eligible for biosecurity clearance. If your product doesn't meet IHS requirements, you may have to:
- arrange and pay for quarantine of your goods while MPI assesses your application
- reship your goods at your cost
- pay for your consignment to be destroyed.
- If you have any questions, email animal.imports@mpi.govt.nz
If your import doesn't meet all IHS requirements
If your product doesn't meet all the IHS requirements (for example, if it has been treated using a different method from what is 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 processing details).
You'll also need to provide MPI with supporting information, as listed in the IHS. MPI will issue a biosecurity permit if your request is approved.
To ask about equivalence and getting a permit, email animal.imports@mpi.govt.nz
When there is no IHS
If there's no IHS for the product you want to import, you can't import it. However, you can ask MPI to consider developing a new IHS for your product.
Book a transitional facility, if required
MPI approves transitional facilities to hold and manage goods that are imported into New Zealand that may have a biosecurity risk. These goods may have to be inspected or treated at the transitional facility before they can be cleared by MPI.
You or your customs broker need to arrange for your products to be transferred to an approved transitional facility, before your goods arrive in New Zealand.
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, 170 KB]
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
Meet New Zealand Customs Service requirements
Check with the New Zealand Customs Service (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.
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
Submit all required documentation
You or your customs broker need to make sure that all of the necessary documentation is submitted to MPI within 48 hours of the consignment arriving in New Zealand.
If required by the IHS, documentation may include:
- a copy of the zoosanitary certificate
- a manufacturer's certificate
- treatment certificates
- purchase invoice
- bill of lading or airway bill.
Get a CITES permit, if needed
Some animal 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 permit.
Find out more about the CITES agreement – Department of Conservation
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.
Food Act 2014 – NZ Legislation
Food regulations 2015 – NZ Legislation
User guides to the Food Standards Code – Food Standards Australia New Zealand
Guide to complying with labelling requirements
You must also comply with regulations about sourcing foods that are safe and suitable, storing and transporting those foods, and keeping records.
Make a non-beef declaration, if relevant
If you're importing a product that could be thought to contain beef but it doesn't – or it contains less than 5% – you can make a non-beef declaration on your import entry form with Customs. This will help you avoid unnecessary food safety clearance requirements.
A non-beef declaration can be useful for processed foods such as stuffed pasta, sausages and soups.
Check if your product requires food safety clearance
MPI must check the safety of foods we class "of regulatory interest" before they can be imported and sold. These are types of foods that have made people sick in the past, or may make people sick. Customs or your customs broker will tell you if a food safety clearance is required.
Processed food from animals of regulatory interest
- food containing certain seafood or shellfish
- soft, curd and fresh cheeses
- raw milk products
- smoked fish products
- food containing more than 5% bovine meat (beef, buffalo, bison)
- fermented meat products, meat paste, and pâté.
If, after checking, these foods are shown to be safe, you'll be given a food safety clearance and the food can be imported.
Note that foods of high regulatory interest can only be imported from specified countries and may require an official certificate. Products that don't meet these requirements will be prohibited.
Processed food from animals from Australia
Foods that contain bivalve molluscan shellfish or more than 5% beef that are coming from Australia are of high regulatory interest and will require a food safety clearance.
You can import any other processed food from animals without a food safety clearance.
If your processed food doesn't need food safety clearance, go to Step 3 – Getting your import documentation.
Getting food safety clearance
If you're importing processed food that requires food safety clearance, you may be asked to demonstrate its safety in one of 4 ways:
- NZ Importer Assurance: A registered food importer that's verified by MPI can be issued with a NZ Importer Assurance (previously known as a Multiple Release Permit).
- Manufacturer's declaration: Foods containing bovine meat that are imported from Australia must be accompanied by a manufacturer's declaration that the meat is of Australian or New Zealand origin.
- Official certificate: For some countries, MPI will accept official certificates (from the appropriate government agency) as assurance the food is safe.
- Sampling and testing: In some cases, food will have to be sampled and tested. MPI will tell you if this is required.
How to apply
You can request food safety clearance using the Trade Single Window.
Trade Single Window
Follow the instructions on the Trade Single Window (TSW) website. You'll need to log in using the RealMe login service, and then register as a TSW user.
Your application should include:
- an invoice for the consignment
- the bill of lading or airway bill
If the food being imported requires an official certificate or a manufacturer's declaration, you should also include that with your declaration.
When inspection, sampling or testing is required
MPI will tell you if the food you're importing needs to be inspected, sampled, or tested. If that happens, MPI will sample the product and send samples to your choice of MPI-approved laboratory. You'll need to pay the sampling, transport, and testing costs – and share the test results with MPI.
Learn more about fees and charges
MPI's Central Clearing House can also answer questions:
- email imported.food@mpi.govt.nz
- phone 09 909 6210 or 09 909 6211
- fax 09 909 6208.
Getting your import documentation
How you know you've met MPI requirements.
Most imported foods containing animal products need biosecurity clearance, and some need a biosecurity import permit. Some may also need a food safety 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 don't comply with an IHS, your goods may not be cleared. However, you may be given the chance to provide further documentation for your products.
Food safety clearance
A Food Safety Officer (FSO) will assess your application against the requirements of the Food Act. You'll be notified of the outcome through the Trade Single Window system or directly by MPI.
Clearance may be given 'without direction', which means you're free to move and sell the product in New Zealand. If the food requires inspection or sampling, or it's not safe and suitable for people to eat, then you'll receive clearance with direction. Directions given may include reprocessing the food, re-exporting it, or destroying it.
