Sending infant formula overseas
Infant formula is an animal product, and anyone who sends animal products overseas must meet export requirements. It doesn’t matter where the infant formula is being sent, or why you are sending it.
This means that you cannot simply buy infant formula in a shop in New Zealand and send it overseas (for example, by post, courier, or freight by ship or air). This applies even if you are sending it to your family or friends.
To send infant formula overseas you must:
- register as an animal products exporter under the Animal Products Act 1999 or use the services of an exporter who is already registered
- meet the requirements outlined in the Export Requirements for Infant Formula Products and Formulated Supplementary Foods for Young Children
- meet any overseas market access requirements (OMARs) which apply, and
- secure certification if official assurance is required for the destination market.
Other requirements may also apply.
Find out more
Register as an animal products exporter
Register as an infant formula, milk powder or dairy exporter
Export Requirements for Infant Formula Products and Formulated Supplementary Foods for Young Children [PDF, 211 KB]
Overseas market access requirements (OMARs)
Find an exporter who is already registered
Find out more about exporting dairy products
Reasons for the strict rules for sending infant formula overseas
New Zealand infant formula is highly regarded in our export markets. The high quality and safety of our infant formula are a key reason for this.
Exporters need to register so that our trading partners can have confidence in the agreements we have made with them and the systems we have in place.
New Zealand has a reputation as a producer of high quality, safe, and suitable infant formula products. Our regulatory system helps ensure this reputation is maintained. If someone tries to get around the rules or fails to comply with our standards and regulations this could undermine the system and damage our reputation.
Taking infant formula overseas with you
The rules are different if you are planning to take infant formula with you when you leave New Zealand.
