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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.

Not all the fees on this page may apply to you and there could be other charges not listed here – like transport, storage, treatment or laboratory costs.

Import permit

In most cases, you'll need a permit to import semen and embryos into New Zealand.

You do not need an import permit for:

  • equine (horse) semen
  • frozen canine semen.
Fee type Fee (excl GST) Fee (incl GST)
Application for permit to import semen or embryos $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 semen and embryos when they arrive in New Zealand.

The fee is $155.50 ($178.83 including GST) per hour for biosecurity 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

Find out more

Who to contact

If you have questions about MPI's fees and charges, email info@mpi.govt.nz.

MPI business units