The process for exporting pet food
The requirements on this page are for pet food. Pet food is defined as food for cats and dogs. It includes food for regular meals, treats, and nutritional supplements. For other types of animal food, refer to the:
Export requirements vary for pet food, depending on your product's ingredients and your destination market. We’ve created a step-by-step process so you can see what’s involved.
You can also download our decision tree to check what rules apply to your product.
Meet New Zealand requirements for pet food exports
New Zealand legislation and operating requirements.
Comply with New Zealand legislation and standards
Pet food that contains animal ingredients must meet the requirements of the Animal Products Act 1999.
All pet food must meet the requirements of the Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines (ACVM) Act 1997, if:
- it is manufactured for both export and sale in New Zealand, or
- the export market requires that the product is eligible for sale in New Zealand.
There are no ACVM Act requirements for export-only pet food. However, you should keep that pet food separate from products that will be sold in New Zealand.
Find out more about ACVM requirements
Manufacturing pet food, animal feed, and nutritional supplements
Operating requirements
If your pet food contains animal products, your operating requirements vary depending on:
- whether you are a primary or secondary processor.
- whether your products need official assurances for export.
Primary processors
You are a primary pet food processor if you slaughter and dress mammals and poultry.
Primary processors must operate under a risk management programme (RMP). This is regardless of whether your destination country needs an official assurance (export certificate).
Secondary processors
You are a secondary pet food processor if you process mammals and poultry after slaughter and dressing.
Secondary processors must operate under an RMP when exporting to countries that require an export certificate.
Find out more about requirements for manufacturing pet food
Operational Code
The operational code for pet food processing helps pet food processors and manufacturers meet the requirements of the Animal Products Act.
Operational code: Pet food processing [PDF, 1.6 MB]
Storage and transport operators
Make sure other operators in your supply chain, like transport companies and storage providers, are meeting their requirements.
Food safety requirement for transport, wharf, and cold and dry store operators
Legislation
Agricultural Compounds and Veterinary Medicines Act 1997 on the NZ Legislation website
ACVM Notice: Agricultural Compounds Exempt from Registration [PDF, 379 KB]
Animal Products Act 1999 on the NZ Legislation website
Animal Products Regulations 2021 on the NZ Legislation website
Animal Product Notice: Production, Supply and Processing [PDF, 2.6 MB]
Check destination requirements for pet food exports
Overseas market access requirements and requirements for your market.
For pet food that contains animal products
If your pet food contains animal products, you need to check if:
- there is an Overseas Market Access Requirements (OMAR) document for your destination
- there are other related documents like 'For Your Information' (FYI) documents and OMAR notifications
- your premises need to be approved or 'listed'. OMARs will tell you if your premises need to be listed, and the process to follow.
Search for your destination market OMAR
If your pet food does not contain animal products
Check with your importer about requirements for your destination market. Also check if there is a relevant 'For Your Information' (FYI) document.
'For Your Information' (FYI) documents
If there is an OMAR for your destination market
OMARs differ between countries and products. They set out requirements for all operators involved with exporting your product.
You need to apply to MPI to read OMARs for animal products because they're password protected.
When you have access, you'll be able to read the OMARs for your products.
Search for your destination market OMAR
Check all the requirements in the OMAR
Read the OMAR for your destination market thoroughly to make sure you can comply with all the requirements.
If your export destination has an OMAR you'll likely need an 'official assurance' (export certificate). This is the New Zealand Government's assurance that your product meets the standards set out in the OMAR. You'll need to get your official assurance before you can send your product.
You can find out more about getting an export certificate in the Official Assurance Requirements Notice.
Animal Products Notice: Official Assurance Requirements [PDF, 401 KB]
Find out if your premises need to be approved
Some markets require premises to be 'listed' before you can export your products. 'Listing' is a procedure agreed between governments for ensuring that:
- a country's market access requirements are met, and
- products are produced in premises eligible to export to that country.
Your OMAR will tell you if your premises need to be listed, and the process to follow.
Check FYIs and OMAR notifications
Besides the OMAR, there may be other documents that have information about your market.
Guidance offered by FYIs can help you with exporting concerns or issues. You may need your OMAR password to read some FYIs.
OMAR notifications will give you the latest updates for your destination market.
'For Your Information' (FYI) documents
Check with your importer
You should also check with your importer whether there are any other requirements you need to meet. This could include a certificate of compliance with ACVM requirements.
Certification under the ACVM legislation
Exporting to a market with no OMAR
If there is no OMAR for your export destination, work directly with your importer to find out about any other requirements.
Note that if there is no OMAR, it could mean your product is prohibited from being sent to that market.
Are you using wood packaging?
If you use wood packaging (other than paper) for your export product, check it meets the plant health requirements of the destination country. Most countries require you to treat your wood packaging to make sure it's free of pests and diseases.
Register as an animal products exporter, if needed
How to register and list of registered exporters.
Who needs to register
If your pet food contains animal products, you need to register as an exporter with MPI.
How to register
You must register using our online form.
AP1 exporter registration form
You'll need to pay a registration fee each year. If you don't register as an exporter, you can use the services of an exporter who is already registered.
Questions?
If you have questions about registering as an exporter, email approvals@mpi.govt.nz
Our list of registered exporters
When your application has been processed and approved by MPI, you will be added to our list of registered exporters. This list is available to the public.
Register of animal product exporters
If you're exporting organic pet food
If you want to export organic pet food under the Official Organic Assurance Programme (OOAP), you must be registered as both an organics exporter and an animal products exporter. You need to register as an animal products exporter first.
Register for AP e-cert, if needed
About AP E-cert and how to register, if your pet food contains animal products.
About AP E-cert
Animal Products (AP) E-cert is the system MPI uses to issue official government assurances under the Animal Products Act. We issue the official assurance as an export certificate.
At each step of the production process, operators need to add information to AP E-cert. At the end of the process, the exporter uses AP E-cert to apply for the export certificate.
You need to use AP E-cert if:
- your destination market requires an export certificate, or
- product traceability is required for export.
AP E-cert is password-protected and new exporters and operators need to apply for access.
How to register
To use AP E-cert, your company must be either:
- a registered exporter under the Animal Products Act 1999
- a business with a registered risk management programme (RMP) or regulated control scheme (RCS)
- an export-approved premises (EAP), or
- an agent acting for another company that is registered as one of the above.
You need to get company access first, then add access for individuals.
Apply for an export certificate, if needed
Using AP E-cert for animal products, and how to request approval to get your certificate.
Pet food containing animal products
If your destination market requires an export certificate, you need to apply for it through AP E-cert. We explain how to register for AP E-cert in step 4.
Log in
When you're registered, you can log in and use the system.
Request approval of your certificate
Once your application has been raised in AP E-cert, email your nearest MPI signing office to arrange approval.
Find contact details for MPI signing offices
ACVM certification
Some overseas markets require a 'certificate of compliance' for pet food.
Find out more about ACVM certificates
Getting your export certificate
When MPI is satisfied that your pet food complies with all requirements and standards, we issue the export certificate through AP E-cert.
Some markets may require a printed export certificate. Check your destination country’s OMAR and the Official Assurance Requirements Notice to work out what you need.
Animal Products Notice: Official Assurance Requirements [PDF, 401 KB]
Training and help using AP E-cert
Guidance resources to help you understand the exporting process, certification, and how to use AP E-cert.
AP E-cert demonstration
Our walk-through demo will show you how to raise an export certificate in AP E-cert.