User-pays approach to fees
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) recovers the costs for biosecurity inspections and other services it supplies to importers. You may be charged by MPI or other service providers for services like:
- permits
- testing and sampling
- laboratory analysis
- cleaning and treating
- travel costs for MPI inspectors
- inspections of goods
- destruction, transportation, re-shipment, or other disposal of goods
- storage and quarantine of goods.
MPI may also charge you for its actual and reasonable costs in providing these services. This includes costs like courier charges, stationery and accommodation.
- Updated fees and charges
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If you are applying for an import permit, contact plantimports@mpi.govt.nz
MPI's fees, charges, and levies for importers are prescribed by legislation. You can find out more on the NZ Legislation website:
- Biosecurity (Costs) Regulations 2010
- Biosecurity (System Entry Levy) Order 2010
- Food (Fees and Charges) Regulations 2015
Border clearance charges
MPI may inspect any imported products or animals to ensure they're safe to enter the country.
Biosecurity activities and services we may charge for include:
- checking your documents
- inspecting your products or animals
- travel and callout costs.
For most commodities, MPI inspections are charged at an hourly rate. In a few cases, MPI will charge you a fixed rate. Fixed rates will be listed on the individual commodity pages.