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Changes to some border charges from 1 April 2026

Cabinet has approved changes to the fees and levies that the New Zealand Customs Service (Customs) and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) charge to recover the costs of managing goods crossing our border.

The structure and rates of Customs' and MPI's fees and levies will change on 1 April 2026, including:

  • setting separate rates for air and sea consignments (Customs only)
  • charging low-value goods per consignment and ceasing to charge per cargo report
  • charging low-value goods transported by international mail
  • charging commercial vessels
  • charging international transhipments and empty shipping containers (Customs only)
  • ending taxpayer subsidies for low-value goods and commercial vessels to fully recover Customs' and MPI's costs through charges.

Full details are available on Customs' website.

Cabinet approves fee changes for border management of goods – Customs

Note, the changes don't affect other fees that MPI may additionally charge importers for clearing goods at the border.

Find out about importing

Why we charge

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) provides a range of important services that are critical to the operation and viability of New Zealand's primary industries, and to ensure the safety of consumers of New Zealand products. These services include:

  • biosecurity inspections to prevent pests entering the country
  • developing and maintaining domestic and overseas standards for food and other products
  • monitoring and testing products to ensure consumer safety
  • gaining market access and providing assurances to overseas customers.

To continue to provide these services and to ensure the quality of our systems, we recover most costs for our services from industry and individuals. We're also required by law to recover costs from those who most directly benefit from these services. Collecting these fees means MPI can continue to play its integral role in the growth of our primary sector export industry. MPI ensures New Zealanders and overseas consumers can trust New Zealand products to be safe and to meet standards.

Changes to fees

To ensure MPI is charging the appropriate fees for services, we regularly review our fees and charges. We consult with those affected. Subscribe to our consultations to stay informed.

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Any changes to fees are usually effective from 1 July. Whether you’re charged the new or the old fee depends on when your application or work began.

Any work or applications received and accepted by MPI (and the applications are assessed as complete) before 1 July will be charged at old rates until the work is complete.

All work and applications received and accepted by MPI on or after 1 July will be charged at the new rates.

Recent updates to fees and charges

What you'll pay

You can find fees and charges information tailored to your product type in our information for:

Legislation listing fees and charges

You can also check legislation for fees and charges on the NZ Legislation website. 

Note: These regulations do not list all MPI's charges. There are some charges that are not set by regulation (like some laboratory fees).

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024

MPI has a role to play in the assessment of relevant applications under the Act. This includes:

  • applying the undue adverse effects test under the Fisheries Act 1996
  • identifying Treaty settlement obligations
  • providing specialist advice that relates to consenting or statutory approvals.

MPI will charge a flat hourly rate of $177.00 (excl GST) as at 7 February 2025 for work undertaken by officials when processing projects under the Act.

Find out more about fast-track approvals

Fast-track approvals and process – NZ Government

Fast-track Approvals Act 2024 – NZ Legislation

Who to contact

If you have any questions about MPI's fees and charges:

MPI business units