What an export certificate is

Export certificates give official, government-to-government assurance about products exported from New Zealand.

They are issued by MPI when we're satisfied that a product complies with the relevant regulations and requirements (from New Zealand, as well as any extra requirements imposed by the importing country).

They are only required by some countries and for some products.

Statements on the certificates include information like:

the country of origin of the product and its ingredients
treatment or other processes the product has undergone, prior to export
the microbiological status of the product
the product's health status – for example, whether a certain animal or plant disease is present in New Zealand.

Depending on what the importing country requires, export certificates can be issued as:

printed documents on secure paper
digital information, transferred electronically from MPI’s system to their own.

Check if you need one

To find out if you need an export certificate or official assurance, check the relevant OMAR or ICPR.

OMARs for animal products, wine, and organics

OMARs for live animals, semen, and embryos

ICPRs for plants, plant products, and forestry products

If you are still not sure, check the import permit (if you have one), or ask your importer or in-market agent.

How to get an export certificate

Many export certificates are processed through the electronic MPI Trade Certification system.

About MPI Trade Certification

MPI Trade Certification is used to record information about many products that will be exported and to issue official assurances or export certificates.

These products include:

animal products (from 17 August 2026)
plants and plant products
New Zealand grape wine
organic products exported to Great Britain under the official organic assurance programme.

MPI Trade Certification is also used to issue Free Sale Certificates for food and beverage exports.

You can find more information on the different types of export certificates covered by MPI Trade Certification on these pages:

Animal product export certificates

Phytosanitary certificates for plants and plant products

Steps to exporting NZ grape wine

Export under the official organic assurance programme

Free Sale Certificates and Free Sale Statements for food exports

MPI Trade Certification is used by operators, exporters, verifiers, MPI staff, and others in the export chain to:

log information to confirm eligibility for certification
apply for certificates
ensure that products are eligible for export to specific markets
issue export certificates.

You use MPI Trade Certification by logging into MyMPI.

MyMPI is a secure online tool where you can access many of the Ministry for Primary Industry’s digital services.

Find out more about MPI Trade Certification, including user guides and access details.

How to use MPI Trade Certification

Contacts for export certification

After requesting the export certificate, you need to email or phone an MPI certification team. Let them know that you have requested an export certificate, and they will confirm whether there's anything else you need to do.