Importing food intended for export

You need to assess each food before you import it to make sure it is:

• safe and suitable
• meets New Zealand requirements.

Our 'Food importer information pack' explains your responsibilities as a food importer. Information on assessing food is on pages 4 and 5.

Food importer information pack [PDF, 2.8 MB]

MPI categorises some foods as being of high regulatory interest. This means they require food safety clearance at the New Zealand border. These foods include some dairy products, fruit, meat, seafood, nuts, seeds, and spices.

Check the list of imported foods that require food safety clearance

Food safety clearance must be granted before these foods can enter the New Zealand market. This is required even if the food is intended for export and not for sale in New Zealand.

Food safety clearance is additional to any biosecurity or customs requirements. To gain food safety clearance:

• you may need to provide an official certificate or other documentation
• the food may require sampling and testing when it arrives in New Zealand.

Find out more about the food safety clearance process

Food safety clearance of imported food

Most foods need biosecurity clearance at the New Zealand border.

Biosecurity requirements are set out in import health standards (IHSs). Before you start importing, make sure you can import the particular food by checking the relevant IHS. The IHS will outline any:

• import conditions
• documentation requirements
• restrictions on countries the food can be imported from.

Search for import health standards

Next step after biosecurity clearance

A Biosecurity Authority Clearance Certificate (BACC) will be issued. It may include any conditions or instructions that must be followed.

Biosecurity requirements can affect what documentation you need from your overseas supplier.

For example, you may need to keep import certificates. They may be required later to support traceability or export certification.

Importing food or food ingredients for export often requires more documentation than standard importing.

In exporting, traceability means being able to track a product through every step of the supply chain. This includes where the product came from, the premises involved in processing or storage, and movements between premises.

You may need:

• documents for import clearance (import certificates)
• certificates to support export (such as non-manipulation certificates)
• documents required by the destination country (export certificates).

You may need to provide additional documents to support clearance or certification. Requirements vary depending on your food and destination market.

If you are supplying an exporter, you may need to provide information or documents to support their export requirements.

If you are exporting the product yourself, you are responsible for ensuring all required documentation is obtained.

Some export certificates rely on information collected during import. If documentation is missing, incomplete, or unavailable, it may not be possible to obtain export certification later.

You'll likely need an import certificate

MPI requires import certificates to clear many goods for import into New Zealand. These certificates are issued by the appropriate government agency in the exporting country.

They contain assurances about:

• the health of the animal or plant
• the safety of imported food.

An import certificate may also be referred to as a foreign ingredient certificate (FIC).

If the food is later exported, an import certificate or FIC may be needed to support export requirements such as traceability and export certification.

If you receive certificates electronically, you may need a certified copy to support re-export. Contact MPI Verification Services to request a certified copy.

Email vstechnicalteam@mpi.govt.nz

You may need a non-manipulation certificate and an export certificate

If imported food will not be further processed in New Zealand before export, some countries may require proof that the food has not been changed while in New Zealand. MPI can provide this as a 'non-manipulation' certificate.

Export certification is also called official assurance. It confirms that food exported from New Zealand meets the requirements of the destination market.

For more information on both these certificates, refer to this page: Exporting imported food

Additional inspection at the border may be required if:

• you are importing non-dairy animal-based food or ingredients for export, and
• the food or ingredients will need export certification (official assurance).

Contact MPI's Verification Services or your verifier (if you have one) to confirm whether an OMAR 01/172 inspection is required.

The inspection is referred to as an OMAR 01/172 inspection. OMAR stands for Overseas Market Access Requirements.

Dairy products are not included in the OMAR 01/172 requirements. However, they may require additional documentation or inspection to support export certification.

About the OMAR 01/172 inspection

The OMAR 01/172 inspection is separate from, and does not replace, other inspections at the border, such as food safety or biosecurity checks.

The consignment must remain sealed before inspection. MPI Verification Services, biosecurity officers, and New Zealand Customs staff may all need to be present when it is opened.

The OMAR 01/172 inspection takes place as soon as possible after customs and biosecurity clearance. It must occur at one of the following locations:

• the port of entry (including a transitional facility), or
• a premises operating under a Risk Management Programme (RMP).

If you are unsure about your situation or what is required at the 01/172 inspection, email vstechnicalteam@mpi.govt.nz  

If inspection takes place at a transitional facility that is not an RMP premises

Work with your exporter to ensure the food is moved immediately afterwards to an RMP premises. This premises must have the appropriate listing and scope for the food to maintain eligibility for export.

Plan ahead and organise the inspection before import with MPI's Verification Services to reduce the risk of delays.