Registering as a food importer

Declare your intended use of imported food to avoid delay

All declarations for consignments imported under tariffs in Chapters 2 to 22 of the Working tariff document, must include a 2-letter intended use code.

Working tariff document – NZ Customs Service

This covers all products, not just the products intended to be used or sold as food.

One of these 10 codes must be used in your intended use declaration:

• HC – Sale for human consumption
• TS – Trade sample not for sale
• AC – Animal consumption
• PU – Personal use
• FP – Further processing for human consumption
• FN – Further processing, NOT for human consumption
• RE – Import for re-export
• LA – Laboratory analysis
• SS – Seed for sowing
• OT – Other, NOT for human consumption

You will need to submit the lodgement with the intended use code completed for each tariff code or line.

If the import is for "Import for re-export" but it is not food for sale, select the "Manual FACC Referral" (MFR) option in the Trade Single Window when making the lodgement. They will then be able to provide relevant information to border food safety officers, who will assess if a food importer registration is required.

Note that if an intended use declaration is not made for each item in the lodgement, it will still be processed by New Zealand Customs Service and Biosecurity New Zealand. However, the imported products cannot be released from the system by New Zealand Food Safety until the declaration is completed.

Find out more

Resources for using the Trade Single Window – NZ Customs Service

1. Download the form

NZCS 224: Trade Single Window client registration/update – NZ Customs Service

2. Fill in the form

• Complete all sections of the form.
• Page 1 – Tick the 'Yes' box under 'Is this an update?' – because you already have a Customs client code.
• Page 1 – Tick the 'Yes' box under 'Do you import food for sale?'.
• Page 3 – Complete the food importer section, including payment details.
• Fill in any other sections where you wish to update your details with New Zealand Customs.

3. Make payment

Your registration won't be completed until the fee has been paid.

The application fee is $116.44 (incl GST). Payment instructions are found on the form.

After payment, email approvals@mpi.govt.nz

Include in your email:

• date that payment has been made
• method of payment (direct credit or payment portal)
• your name or company name.

4. Send the completed form to New Zealand Customs

Email clientupdate.request@customs.govt.nz

It may take up to 20 working days to process your application. If you haven’t provided the necessary information and paid the fee, it may take longer.

1. Download the form

NZCS 224: Trade Single Window client registration/update – NZ Customs Service

2. Fill in the form

• Complete all sections of the form.

• Page 1 – Where it states 'Which client codes do you need?' make sure you select all that apply. 

  To import food you will need to select 'Importer' or 'Importer/Exporter'.

• Page 1 – Tick the 'Yes' box under 'Do you import food for sale?'.

• Page 3 – Complete the food importer section, including payment details.

3. Make payment

Your registration won't be completed until the fee has been paid.

The application fee is $116.44 (incl GST). Payment instructions are found on the form.

After payment, email approvals@mpi.govt.nz

Include in your email:

• date that payment has been made
• method of payment (direct credit or payment portal)
• your name or company name.

4. Compile the necessary documentation

The documentation you will need to attach varies.

An individual

• Photo ID

A registered company

• Trading name.
• The company’s certificate of incorporation.
• List of directors.
• Photo ID for each director.

A partnership or sole traders

• Trading name.
• List of all sole traders or partners.
• Photo ID for each sole trader or employee.

Other organisations 

• List of all trustees or relevant individuals.
• A copy of the certificate for registered trusts/societies/charities.
• Schools, sports clubs, and similar must supply a letterhead of the organisation. 

5. Send the completed form and documentation to NZ Customs

Email clientcodes@customs.govt.nz

It may take up to 20 working days to process your application. If you haven’t provided all necessary documentation and paid the fee, it may take longer.

Your registration needs to be renewed annually

Renewal reminders are emailed to your email contact before the expiry date. It has all the information you need to renew your registration.

The renewal fee is $77.63 (incl GST). Payment instructions are found in the email.

Failure to renew

If you fail to renew your registration before the expiry date, your registration will be cancelled and you will be unable to import food.

If you wish to reinstate a cancelled food importer registration, you would have to apply for a new registration and pay the full fee.

Importing food without an active food registration may result in enforcement action. This could include an infringement fee of $450 or clearance of your imported food may be withheld.

You will need to ensure your details with MPI and Customs are kept up to date. This will ensure you receive notifications and your annual reminder to renew your registration.

Minor changes

Minor changes to your food importer registration (such as contact information) can be made with MPI.

• Email approvals@mpi.govt.nz
• Phone 0800 00 83 33

Significant changes

If you have any significant changes to make against your food importer registration (such as change in company name) you may also need to update your Customs Client code information using the 224 form.

You do not need to pay the initial registration fee again to do this.

NZCS 224: Trade Single Window client registration/update – NZ Customs Service

If you need help, contact MPI:

• Email approvals@mpi.govt.nz
• Phone 0800 00 83 33