To import processed food from plants you must either be registered as a food importer with MPI, or use a registered food importer. There are also other standards and requirements. We've created a step-by-step process to explain what's involved.
Food can't be sold that is unsafe, unfit for human consumption, or contaminated. It's your responsibility as an importer to ensure that all legal requirements are met.
Food importers should regularly check any alerts issued for food recalled overseas, and for developing risks.
An overview of importing processed foods from plants from start to finish.
This import process is for dried, stored, or processed plant food products for human consumption, including:
Some commercial brands of fruit and vegetables that have had limited processing are considered "fresh". MPI can assess the processing of these types of goods and may approve certain branded supplier goods. If the brand and product is listed on the approved processed commodities list then you may be able to import them. To confirm your product's current status with MPI, email plantimports@mpi.govt.nz
Download the list of approved "processed" commodities [PDF, 155 KB]
To get a product added to the approved commodities list, read what you have to do on the "Requirements for approved processed commodities list".
Download the list of requirements for approved processed commodities list [PDF, 128 KB]
| Note that if your product contains any other ingredient, like egg, meat, dairy, or seafood, then you also need to comply with the import process for each ingredient. |
Processes for importing products related to processed food from plants – like unprocessed grains, seeds, and nuts, and other plant products – are provided elsewhere on this website. Follow these steps if you're importing:
Organic food, irradiated food, genetically modified food, and supplemented foods have additional requirements besides the Food Act. Learn more:
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
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
The tasks you need to complete.
You'll need to understand and comply with the biosecurity requirements for your product.
You need to know the name of your plant (common or scientific name), where it is from, and what type of processing it has undergone.
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 and treatment certificates. You may only be able to import some products from countries listed or named in the IHS.
Most plant-based food products are covered by the import health standard IHS BNZ-NPP-Human. Check this IHS first to see whether your product is listed.
Download the IHS for importing stored plant products intended for human consumption [PDF, 544 KB]
If your product isn't listed, check to see if it's covered by the IHS 152.02 for importing fresh fruit and vegetables.
Download the IHS for importing fresh fruit and vegetables [PDF, 2 MB]
Alternatively, you can search for the IHS for your product.
Search for the IHS for your product
If there's no IHS for your product, you can't import it.
Products that meet all of the requirements specified in the IHS will be given biosecurity clearance. If your product doesn't meet IHS requirements, you may have to:
If you have any questions or need to apply for a biosecurity permit, email plantimports@mpi.govt.nz
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 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, email plantimports@mpi.govt.nz
Read more about requesting an IHS
If you don't understand the IHS requirements, email plantimports@mpi.govt.nz
Check with the New Zealand Customs Service (NZ Customs) whether:
Visit the NZ Customs website to:
Some plant 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
Visit the Ministry of Health's website to check the restrictions on importing controlled drugs and the licence requirements for industrial hemp.
Import restrictions for controlled drugs - Ministry of Health
Restricted plant species are Papaver somniferum (poppy seed), Cannabis sativa (hemp), and Salvia species.
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
The IHS may require your product to have a phytosanitary certificate, which is issued in the country of export. Additional declarations may also be required for your plant-based food product.
To meet the requirements you may need to complete some or all of these tasks before shipping:
You're also recommended to get manufacturers' information identifying the commercial processes used on your product.
If you're using wood packaging, make sure it meets phytosanitary requirements.
To apply for a certificate you or your export supplier should contact the relevant National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO, an equivalent agency to MPI) in the country of export. You can find the contact details on the International Plants Protection Convention (IPPC) website.
Find an NPPO on the International Plant Protection Convention website
A phytosanitary certificate is issued once the contact-point NPPO is satisfied that the IHS requirements have been met.
The original phytosanitary certificate must be included with your consignment.
If the IHS requires testing for your seed species, you'll need to have it tested before it arrives in New Zealand, and the certificate must accompany your consignment.
Find out more about genetically modified testing
If your consignment is accompanied by a seed analysis certificate (SAC), a smaller sample may be required for testing. This can result in a faster clearance of your consignment at the border.
If you decide to get a SAC, you need to have the seed analysed either by an MPI-approved or an ISTA- or AOSA-accredited seed-testing station. Ask your seed supplier about seed analysis options.
The IHS will tell you whether an import permit is needed for your food product. If required, apply for a permit by completing the application form and returning it to MPI. Fees apply.
Download the application form for Permit to Import for plant derived material, microorganisms associated with plants, soil or water [DOCX, 108 KB]
MPI approves transitional facilities to hold and manage imported goods that might have a biosecurity risk. These goods may have 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 the transfer of your container to a transitional facility, before your goods arrive in New Zealand.
Read more about finding a transitional facility
Packaging must be secure so that pests cannot get inside, and it must be clean and free from soil or other contaminants. If you're using wood products (other than paper) to pack your consignment, there are extra conditions to meet, to make sure there are no hidden pests or diseases.
Correct labelling will help ensure that your consignment can be quickly identified and processed by border clearance staff when it arrives in New Zealand.
Read the import requirements for using wood packaging
You or your customs broker need to make sure that all of the necessary documentation is submitted to NZ Customs or MPI within 48 hours of the consignment arriving in New Zealand.
If required by the IHS, documentation may include:
Your documentation will be checked, and an MPI inspector may examine the consignment when it arrives in New Zealand to make sure it complies with the IHS. The inspector may check that:
The MPI quarantine inspector may issue a Biosecurity Authority Clearance Certificate (BACC) requiring:
The inspection process and information about pest or weed contamination are detailed in the IHS.
If your plant product doesn't comply with IHS requirements when it arrives, or it's found to be seriously contaminated (such as with live organisms), you may need to:
All treatments have to be done at a transitional facility by an approved treatment provider. You're liable for any costs associated with non-compliance or contamination.
Search for an approved treatment provider [PDF, 170 KB]
Download the list of MPI-approved pest identification services [PDF, 418 KB]
Search for a pest name in the Biosecurity Organisms Register for Imported Commodities (BORIC)
If you want to import food for sale in New Zealand, you must:
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:
Registered food importers must meet food safety requirements under the Food Act 2014. These include:
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.
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 and some sauces.
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.
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.
You can import any processed food from plants from Australia without a food safety clearance.
| If your processed food from plants doesn't need food safety clearance, go to Step 3 – Getting your import documentation. |
If you're importing processed food from plants that requires food safety clearance, you may be asked to demonstrate its safety one of 3 ways:
You can request food safety clearance using the 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.
If the food being imported requires an official certificate, you should also include that with your application.
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:
How you know you've met MPI requirements.
All imported plant products need biosecurity clearance. Some may also require a food safety 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 you were issued with a Biosecurity Authority Clearance Certificate (BACC) by an MPI quarantine inspector, you may need to present this documentation to other agencies.
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.
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 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.
If you have questions about:
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