Getting your food consignment released from an MPI non-registration hold

1. Confirm if the importer is registered

You can check if an importer is registered by searching our public register of food importers.

Public register of food importers

2. Register with MPI as a food importer

If an importer needs to register as a food importer, visit our web page for the application form, how to complete the form, renewing your registration, and keeping your details up to date.

Registering as a food importer

3. Receive food importer registration certificate and FIMP#

Once processed, the importer will receive notification from MPI as well as a copy of their food importer registration certificate. This certificate will contain their food importer registration number (FIMP) and will list the Customs client code linked to it.

4. Resubmit your lodgement

After at least 4 hours has passed from the time the importer was registered, you can resubmit the TSW lodgements and this should automatically release the consignment from hold.

Waiting at least 4 hours between receiving your new FIMP and resubmitting the lodgement allows time for our systems to refresh and new registrations to be recognised.

Our border system uses the importer’s Customs client code to check if they are registered with MPI as a food importer. If the wrong client code is used, the system will think the importer is unregistered.

1. Complete a Manual Food Referral (MFR)

Complete a Manual Food Referral (MFR) in TSW and reference the importer’s FIMP number in the comments section. You may need to contact your service provider for information on how to submit a MFR.

2. Receive a Food Authority Clearance Certificate (FACC) showing the consignment has been released

The entry will be evaluated by a food safety officer who will check the importer is registered and can manually issue a release with a FACC.

Check if registration is required

Food importer registration is required only for food products that are for human consumption and intended for sale.

The Food Act definitions of "food" and "sale" are broad. Check the legislation for details.

Meaning of Food – NZ Legislation

Meaning of Sale – NZ Legislation

If the goods meet these definitions, then food importer registration is required. Refer to reason 1 for how to release these goods.

If the goods are not food for humans or not for sale, follow the next steps.

1. Determine which intended use code applies to the goods

The 10 intended use codes are:

• 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

Find out about registering as a food importer

2. Update the intended use code in the import entry

Update the intended use codes for each applicable line in the import entry and resubmit. If they are now all non-food or non-sale codes, this entry will be released from hold.