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About Overseas Market Access Requirements (OMARs)

As a meat exporter, you're responsible for knowing and meeting the requirements of your destination country. You can find most of the requirements in documents called OMARs – Overseas Market Access Requirements. They differ between countries and products. OMARs set out requirements for all operators in your export chain – for example, farms, manufacturers, storage facilities, and transporters.

Some countries have much stricter and more costly requirements than others. It's worth checking the requirements before deciding where you want to export to. Some countries also require premises or harvest areas to be approved, or 'listed', before you can export your products. The OMAR will tell you if you need to be listed, and the process to follow.

Tip: It's helpful to establish a working relationship with an import agent in your destination market.

Get your password

You need to apply to MPI to read animal product OMARs because they're password protected.

Apply for a password to access OMARs

Search for your OMAR

When you have your password, you'll be able to read the OMAR for your destination market. For meat, you need to look at OMARs for animal products. Read the OMAR for your destination market thoroughly to make sure you can comply with all the requirements.

Go to the OMAR search page

Export certificates

If your export destination has an OMAR you'll likely need an 'official assurance', also known as an export certificate, before you can send your meat 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.

Check FYIs and OMAR notifications

Other information you should read includes:

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 country.

Find out more about OMARs, FYIs, and OMAR notifications

When there is 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, 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 Free Sales Certificates (FSC), or Free Sales Advice Statements (FSAS).

Find out more about FSCs and FSASs

If you use wood packaging

If you use wood packaging products – other than paper – for your export product, check that your wood packaging meets the phytosanitary requirements of the destination market. Most markets 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 meat

MPI business units