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What our fees cover

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) calculates fees on a cost-recovery basis.

Activities and services we charge for include:

  • import permits
  • border clearance inspections
  • food safety clearance for foods of high or increased regulatory interest
  • inspection and sampling of imported food, associated with obtaining a food safety clearance.

Note, not all the fees on this page may apply to you and there could be other charges not listed here – like transport, storage, treatment or laboratory costs.

Import permit

Some processed foods need a permit before they can be imported into New Zealand. The import health standards (IHS) will tell you if a permit is needed, and which one to use for your food type.

Check the IHS for your processed food

Application fee Fee (excl GST) Fee (incl GST)
  • Permit to import animal products
  • Permit to import plant material for processing and consumption
  • Permit to process plant products and stockfeed 
 $191.95* for each permit $220.74* for each permit 

* If processing your application takes longer than one-and-a-half hours, additional time will be charged at an hourly rate of $102.27 excluding GST or $117.61 including GST.

Border clearance charges

MPI may charge you for costs related to inspecting your processed foods when they arrive in New Zealand.

You may also be charged extra fees if MPI's biosecurity inspector has to:

  • travel to inspect your goods
  • wait before inspection can start
  • be called out after hours.

Charges for MPI inspectors, including travel charges

Fee type Fee (excl GST) Fee (incl GST)
Biosecurity inspector – hourly rate* $102.27  $117.61

Travel charges for MPI inspectors
Travel within zone 1 – up to 4 km from base $34.86 $40.09
Travel within zone 2 – over 4 km and up to 10 km from base $70.75 $81.36
Travel within zone 3 – over 10 km and up to 25 km from base $109.24 $125.63
Travel within zone 4 – over 25 km and up to 50 km from base $149.19 $171.57
Travel more than 50 km from base Hourly rates, plus a mileage charge of $0.67 a kilometre. Other travel-related costs may also apply. Hourly rates, plus a mileage charge of $0.7705 a kilometre. Other travel-related costs may also apply.
*Hourly rate charges also apply to waiting times.

Charges for food safety clearance

Some foods are a greater risk to consumers and public health. MPI has classed them as foods of either "high regulatory interest" or "increased regulatory interest".

These foods are listed in the Importing Food Notice and you'll need a food safety clearance to import them. Customs or your customs broker will tell you if a food safety clearance is required.

Read the Importing Food Notice [PDF, 304 KB]

You'll be charged a clearance fee of $67.50 excluding GST ($77.63 including GST), plus $135 an hour excluding GST ($155.25 an hour, including GST) when the clearance takes longer than 30 minutes to process.

Other charges for obtaining a food safety clearance

MPI regularly inspects, samples, and tests imported foods to make sure they don't contain known hazards. If your consignment is tested, you'll be required to pay related costs. MPI will charge you for the sampling-officer's time and for delivering the sample to an accredited laboratory of your choice. (Note, the laboratory will charge you separately for the testing. Contact them for an estimate).

There's a minimum charge of $180, excluding GST ($207, including GST) for this activity. Should the process take longer than 1.5 hours, additional time is charged at $120 an hour, excluding GST ($138 an hour, including GST).

Find out more

Read about MPI's updated fees and charges

Biosecurity (Costs) Regulations 2010 – New Zealand Legislation

Food (Fees and Charges) Regulations 2015 – New Zealand Legislation

Who to contact

If you have questions about MPI’s fees and charges, email info@mpi.govt.nz

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