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
- travel costs.
Not all the fees on this page may apply to you and there could be other charges not listed here – like transport and storage costs.
Import permit
Some aquatic animals need a permit before they can be imported into New Zealand. The import health standards (IHS) will tell you if a permit is needed.
Check the IHS for your aquatic animal
|
Fee type |
Fee (excl GST) |
Fee (incl GST) |
|---|---|---|
| Application for permit to import live animals into quarantine, containment or transitional facilities (other than cats, dogs and horses) | $191.95* | $220.74* |
| * 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 aquatic animals when they arrive in New Zealand.
You may be charged extra fees if MPI's biosecurity inspector has to:
- travel to a transitional or containment facility to inspect your goods
- wait before inspection can start
- be called out after hours.
|
Fee type |
Fee (excl GST) |
Fee (incl GST) |
|---|---|---|
| Biosecurity inspector – hourly rate* | $102.27 | $117.61 |
| Veterinary professional or inspector – hourly rate* | $186.30 | $214.25 |
|
*Hourly rates also apply to waiting times. |
||
Travel charges for MPI inspectors
If the MPI inspector has to travel to a transitional facility, then travel charges may apply.
|
Travel charge (distance travelled from base) |
Fee (excl GST) |
Fee (incl GST) |
|---|---|---|
| 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. |
Quarantine costs
Some aquatic animals, such as ornamental fish and marine invertebrates, must be quarantined at an MPI-approved transitional facility for a minimum of 3 weeks.
Along with MPI's inspection charges, you will have to pay any charges relating to:
- transporting your aquatic animals to the facility
- treatment costs.
Contact individual transitional facilities to find out their fees and charges.
Find out more
- MPI's updated fees and charges
- Biosecurity (Costs) Regulations 2010 – New Zealand Legislation website
Who to contact
If you have questions about MPI's fees and charges, email info@mpi.govt.nz.
