What is MPI Trade Certification?
The new Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Trade Certification system will replace many of MPI's existing certification systems for exports and imports.
It is a single, integrated, and digital trade certification system, that is more flexible than current systems.
MPI Trade Certification will enable $33b of export trade each year and help protect New Zealand from harmful pests and diseases.
Industry groups started using the new system in late 2024. They are moving to MPI Trade Certification in different stages, by sector group. All exporters will have moved to the new system by May 2026.
So far, MPI Trade Certification has replaced Wine E-cert and Tahora (for the exchange of electronic import certificates). MPI Trade Certification functionality to replace ePhyto and AP E-cert is currently being developed. See the following sections for more details.
Why our certification systems need replacing
Our current systems are a combination of digital systems and paper processes. These were developed independently of each other and at different times.
In addition, the current systems require significant investment just to maintain, and this situation will get worse as the technology ages further.
By instead investing in a new modernised trade certification infrastructure, we can protect New Zealand’s export industry and its ability to trade now and into the future with a secure, resilient system.
We are building a system that is flexible and responsive, enabling industry to quickly meet ever-shifting global certificate standards with confidence and to respond better to global events.
MPI Trade Certification will allow us to extend our secure government-to-government (G2G) interactions, enabling more paperless exchange, thereby increasing assurance integrity, efficiency of problem resolution and reducing fraud.
Increased G2G capabilities protect current agreements with important global partners and open the doors to new opportunities.
Extended paperless exchange ensures more effective and efficient border clearances while also reducing the biosecurity risk of products coming into New Zealand.
Who will use MPI Trade Certification?
Businesses handling goods for export, exporters, verifiers, and MPI staff will all use MPI Trade Certification.
For many users, you will enter your certificate information directly into the new online system.
If you use XML uploads, or business-to-government integration systems, the new system will offer these options.
Businesses handling goods for export and exporters will use MPI Trade Certification for:
- raising requests for export certificates
- creating records of products in the system and manage details about products such as confirming processes applied and eligibility for market.
Verifiers will use MPI Trade Certification for verifying the information provided in transfer and certificate requests to confirm product and consignment eligibility.
MPI staff will use MPI Trade Certification for:
- reviewing, approving (or declining) requests for export certificates
- issuing certificates and official assurance
- managing master data and certification tasks
- audit purposes
- tracing product that has been exported with certification.
When will my business move to MPI Trade Certification?
All E-Phyto will move to MPI Trade Certification by late February 2026 and AP E-cert users by late April 2026. We will work to ensure the transition to the new system is as quick and smooth as possible.
We will work closely with plant products and animal products industry sectors over the second half of 2025 to make sure they are ready for the transition.
This timeline shows the overall Future of Certification Programme plan.
MPI Future of Certification timeline [PDF, 69 KB]
This timeline shows the indicative release plan for Releases 4 and 5.
MPI Future of Certification timeline – Releases 4 and 5 [PDF, 49 KB]
