About Overseas Market Access Requirements
As an exporter, you're responsible for knowing and meeting the Overseas Market Access Requirements (OMAR) for your destination country. OMARs differ between countries and products and set out requirements for all operators in your export chain – for example, processors, storage providers, and transporters.
You need to apply to the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to read OMARs for dairy products because they're password protected.
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', also known as an export certificate. You'll need this before you can send your product. Official assurance is the New Zealand Government's assurance to the destination market that your product meets the standards set out in the OMAR.
Other information you should check
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
Exporting to a market with no OMAR
If there is no OMAR for your export destination, work directly with your importing agent to find out about certification and any other requirements. If an import permit is required, the permit will outline the requirements.
Note that if there is no OMAR, it could mean your product is prohibited from being sent to that country.
Some destinations that don't need official assurances may instead require a free sales certificate (FSC), or a free sales advice statement (FSAS).
Find out more about FSCs and FSASs
Exporting under the dairy quota programme
The Dominican Republic, the European Union, Japan, and the United States of America are part of the dairy quota programme. These countries (known as the designated markets) have quotas in place that govern how much of certain dairy products will receive beneficial export rates.
Exporting to the designated markets and obtaining a dairy export licence
Are you using wood packaging?
If you use wood packaging products – other than paper – for your export product, check your wood packaging meets the phytosanitary requirements of the destination country. Most countries require you to treat your wood packaging to make sure it's free of pests and diseases.
Find out the export requirements when using wood packaging
Find out more
The other 4 steps to exporting dairy
