Fees and charges for exporting meat
You'll be charged for services provided by MPI and other service providers when you're exporting meat and meat products.
What our fees cover
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) calculates fees on a cost-recovery basis. Activities and services we may charge exporters for include:
- registering as an exporter
- registering or updating your risk management programme
- developing standards for the meat and game export industry (through a levy)
- official assurance (export certificates)
- accessing MPI's electronic certification (E-cert) system.
Not all the fees on this page may apply to you and there could be other charges not listed here.
Registering as an exporter
| Activity type | Charge (excl GST) | Charge (incl GST) |
|---|---|---|
| Annual exporter registration fee | $135 for each application | $155.25 for each application |
Levies for meat processors
MPI charges a levy to processors of meat, ostrich, emu, and game meat to cover our costs in developing requirements and standards for the meat and game industry.
Levies for premises where animals are slaughtered
If you are slaughtering animals for export, you'll be charged a levy for each head. Monthly invoices are based on actual kill numbers.
| Levy (for each head) | Charge (excl GST) | Charge (incl GST) |
|---|---|---|
| Lambs, bobby calves | $0.150 each | $0.1725 |
| Goats | $0.125 | $0.14375 |
| Horses | $0.872 | $1.0028 |
| Sheep | $0.169 | $0.19435 |
| Pigs | $0.311 | $0.35765 |
| Cattle | $1.047 | $1.20405 |
| Deer | $0.872 | $1.0028 |
| Ostriches, emus | $0.872 | $1.0028 |
| Other species (other than fish) | $0.27 | $0.3105 |
| Farmed Leporidae* | $0.04 | $0.046 |
| *MPI has a partial waiver in place for farmed Leporidae. | ||
Levy for other meat processors
If you are a secondary processor of meat for export, but do not slaughter animals, MPI will charge you an annual levy.
| Levy type | Levy (excl GST) | Levy (incl GST) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary or secondary meat processors (that do not slaughter) | $784.50 | $902.18 |
Official assurance
If there is an overseas market access requirement for the country you're exporting to, you'll likely need an official assurance, or export certificate, before you can send your product.
| Activity type | Charge (excl GST) | Charge (incl GST) |
|---|---|---|
| Issue of an official assurance | $33.75, plus an hourly rate of $135 after the first 15 minutes | $38.81, plus an hourly rate of $155.25 after the first 15 minutes |
| Reissue of an official assurance if replacement demanded by an importing country | $405, plus an hourly rate of $135 after 3 hours of assessment, plus disbursements at cost | $465.75, plus an hourly rate of $155.25 after 3 hours of assessment, plus disbursements at cost |
Access to the E-cert system
MPI uses an online web application called E-cert to issue official assurances and approve consignments for export. E-cert tracks products from the time they're produced until they're exported.
Exporters are charged to use E-cert.
| Use of E-cert system | Charge type | Charge |
|---|---|---|
| Use of electronic certification system | Charge for each unit of activity | See formula in the Animal Products (Fees, Charges, and Levies) Regulations 2007 – NZ Legislation website |
Risk management programme charges
To get an official assurance for export meat products, meat processors must have a registered risk management programme (RMP). You'll need to pay MPI to register or amend your RMP.
| Activity type | Charge (excl GST) | Charge (incl GST) |
|---|---|---|
| Application for registration of an RMP | $135 | $155.25 |
| Amendment to an RMP | $67.50 | $77.63 |
Verification services
You'll have to pay MPI or another verification provider for services, including inspecting and auditing your risk management programme, each year.
You'll find more information about these verification charges on the New Zealand Legislation website.
Other charges
MPI can provide a statement confirming your product has met relevant requirements under the Animal Products Act. We will charge you for this service.
| Activity type | Charge (excl GST) | Charge (incl GST) |
|---|---|---|
| Issue of statement of a New Zealand standard | $32 | $36.80 |
Find out more
- Updated fees and charges
- Animal Products (Fees, Charges, and Levies) Regulations 2007 - New Zealand Legislation website
Who to contact
If you have questions about MPI's fees and charges for exporting meat, email info@mpi.govt.nz