What you need to know
An overview of importing dairy from start to finish.
To import dairy products successfully 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
- biosecurity permits, if needed
- arranging zoosanitary certificates and manufacturers' declarations, if needed.
New Zealand 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 foods have additional requirements besides the Food Act. Learn more:
- Organic food
- Irradiated food and ingredients [PDF, 125 KB]
- Genetically modified food and ingredients [PDF, 137 KB]
- Supplemented foods [PDF, 67 KB]
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 the requirements for importing wood packaging.
Follow the steps for importing wood packaging
Export goods returning to New Zealand
If you have New Zealand-origin dairy products returning to New Zealand – for example, a consignment that has been rejected by an importing country – you need to meet the requirements of the import health standard (IHS) for returning dairy products.
Exporters of dairy products are legally obliged to notify MPI if their export goods are returning to New Zealand and will be re-exported. You can use the export non-conformance report to do this.
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 tells you what you need to do to successfully import it, including getting manufacturers' declarations and zoosanitary certificates when required. Often you can only import some products from specified countries listed or named in an IHS.
Search for the IHS for your product
Importing your product under equivalent measures (equivalence)
If your product doesn't meet all of the IHS requirements (for example, if it has been treated using a different method from what is listed 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 cooking times and temperatures, and other processing details).
You'll also need to provide MPI with supporting information, as listed in each IHS. MPI will issue a biosecurity permit if your request is approved.
To ask about equivalence, email animal.imports@mpi.govt.nz
Options for products not included in the IHS
If there's no IHS for your product, you can't import it. However, you can ask MPI to consider developing a new IHS for your product.
To make a request, use a separate form for each commodity, and email or post it with any additional information to MPI.
MPI prioritises requests for each new IHS, and it may take several years to finalise your request.
Read more about requesting an IHS
Arrange transitional storage
MPI approves transitional facilities to hold and manage imported goods that might have a biosecurity risk. These goods may need to be inspected or treated at the transitional facility before they can be cleared by MPI.
All sea containers arriving in New Zealand need to be taken to a transitional facility and unpacked there.
You or your customs broker need to arrange for your container to be transferred to a transitional facility, before your goods arrive in New Zealand.
Read more about finding a transitional facility
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
- a NZ Customs permit is needed (such as for health products).
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 NZ Customs 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
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.
Read the guide to complying with labelling requirements [PDF, 1 MB]
Find out more about the code – Food Standards Australia New Zealand
Food Regulations 2015 – NZ Legislation
As a registered food importer 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 dairy products such as margarine.
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.
Dairy foods of regulatory interest
- raw-milk products
- fresh cheeses
- curd cheeses
- soft cheeses
If coming from a country other than Australia, these foods will need to be checked. If they're shown to be safe, you'll be given a food safety clearance and the food can be imported.
Dairy from Australia
You can import any dairy product from Australia without a food safety clearance.
If your dairy products don't need food safety clearance
Go to Step 3 – Getting your import documentation.
Getting food safety clearance
If you're importing dairy that requires food safety clearance, you may be asked to demonstrate its safety one of 3 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).
- 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.
When complete, email the form to imported.food@mpi.govt.nz
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, you should also include that with your application.
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.
All imported dairy products need biosecurity clearance. Some may also require 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 about your products.
Food safety clearance
A food safety officer 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 within 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.
