What our fees cover
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) calculates fees on a cost-recovery basis.
Activities and services we charge for include:
- import permits
- border clearance inspections
- travel costs.
Not all the fees on this page may apply to you and there could be other charges not listed here – like transport and storage costs.
Import permit
Some aquatic animals need a permit before they can be imported into New Zealand. The import health standards (IHS) will tell you if a permit is needed.
Check the IHS for your aquatic animal
|
Fee type |
Fee (excl GST) |
Fee (incl GST) |
|---|---|---|
| Application for permit to import live animals into quarantine, containment or transitional facilities (other than cats, dogs and horses) | $233.25* | $268.24* |
| * If processing your application takes longer than one-and-a-half hours, additional time will be charged at an hourly rate of $155.50 excluding GST or $178.83 including GST. | ||
Border clearance charges
MPI may charge you for costs related to inspecting your aquatic animals when they arrive in New Zealand. These may be inspected by either a biosecurity or veterinary inspector.
Fees are $155.50 ($178.83 including GST) per hour for biosecurity inspectors and $186.30 ($214.25 including GST) per hour for veterinary inspectors.
You may also be charged extra fees if MPI's inspector has to:
- travel to inspect your goods
- wait before inspection can start
- work outside of normal hours.
More information on these other fees
Quarantine costs
Some aquatic animals, such as ornamental fish and marine invertebrates, must be quarantined at an MPI-approved transitional facility for a minimum of 3 weeks.
Along with MPI's inspection charges, you will have to pay any charges relating to:
- transporting your aquatic animals to the facility
- treatment costs.
Contact individual transitional facilities to find out their fees and charges.
Find out more
- MPI's updated fees and charges
- Biosecurity (Costs) Regulations 2010 – New Zealand Legislation website
Who to contact
If you have questions about MPI's fees and charges, email info@mpi.govt.nz.
