Follow the steps
Check your species is approved for importing
Truffle species eligible for import
- Tuber aestivum Vittad (Burgundy/Summer truffle)
- Tuber borchii (bianchetto)
- Tuber magnatum (Italian white truffle)
- Tuber melanosporum (Périgord black truffle).
Truffles can be imported as fresh, frozen, or dried.
Mushroom species provisionally eligible for import
These scientific names are listed alphabetically.
A to C
- Agaricus bisporus
- Agaricus bitorquis
- Auricularia cornea
- Boletus edulis
- Chlorophyllum rhacodes (Macrolepiota rachodes)
- Coprinus comatus
D to O
- Flammulina velutipes
- Flammulina filiformis Lactarius deliciosus
- Lentinula edodes
- Marasmius oreades
- Morchella esculenta
- Morchella importuna Pleurotus djamor
P to Z
- Pleurotus ostreatus
- Pleurotus pulmonarius
- Stropharia rugosoannulata
- Trametes versicolor
- Volvariella volvacea
Mushrooms can be imported as:
- mother culture (pure culture on agar or in sterile broth)
- spawn (pure culture inoculated into sterile plant-based carrier)
- substrate (sterile, plant-based manufactured product inoculated with spawn).
If your species is not approved for import
Not all edible fungal species can be imported into New Zealand. This is because species new to the country, called ‘new organisms’ need to be approved by the Environmental Protection Authority. You can apply to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to have it approved.
Apply to have a new organism approved – EPA
If EPA approves your application, you will then need to ask MPI to develop an import health standard for the species before it can be imported.
Check import health standards, get a permit, and meet all biosecurity requirements
1. Read the relevant import health standard
The biosecurity requirements for importing truffles are different to the requirements for mushroom fungi.
Summary of truffle requirements
To import truffles you will need to:
- apply for an import permit
- organise for the government of the country you are exporting the truffles from to undertake a phytosanitary inspection and issue you with a phytosanitary certificate
- ensure your supplier can undertake a morphological examination and provide the appropriate report
- ensure you meet correct packaging and labelling requirement
- organise a New Zealand based facility to hold your truffles and undertake molecular testing.
Details of the requirements are in the import health standard.
Truffles for Propogation: Import Health Standard [PDF, 550 KB]
Summary of mushroom fungi requirements
To import mushroom fungi you will need to:
- apply for an import permit
- complete supplier questionnaire along with your permit application
- provide a manufacturer's certificate
- ensure you meet correct packaging and labelling requirement.
Details of the requirements are in the import health standard.
Microorganisms From All Countries: Import Health Standard [PDF, 338 KB]
2. Apply for an import permit
An import permit is required for all edible truffles and mushroom. You apply for a permit using our online system.
Make a plant and plant products import permit application
For mushroom fungi for propagation, you will also need to complete a questionnaire.
Questionnaire to accompany an application to import mushroom spawn [DOCX, 197 KB]
3. For truffles, meet phytosanitary requirements
All consignments of edible truffles need to be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate.
To apply for a certificate, you or your supplier should contact the relevant National Plant Protection Organisation (NPPO) in the country of origin. You will find contact details on the International Plants Protection Convention (IPPC) website.
If you have questions about phytosanitary certificates, contact the export agent or your NPPO contact.
4. For truffles, provide a morphological examination report
If you are importing truffles, request a morphological report from your supplier or manufacturer specifying the identity of the truffle species.
The examination must be done by persons competent to identify species by visual and aroma characteristics.
5. For truffles, arrange transitional storage
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) approves transitional facilities to hold and manage imported goods that might pose a biosecurity risk. You need to arrange a testing facility for molecular testing of your truffles. Your truffles need to be held in the transitional facility until the results of testing are confirmed.
You or your customs broker need to arrange for the transfer of your goods to a transitional facility before they arrive in New Zealand.
Transitional and containment facilities for border clearance
6. For mushroom fungi, get a manufacturer's certificate
If you are importing edible mushroom fungi, request a certificate from the supplier or manufacturer that verifies the purity of the mushroom spawn or culture.
For edible mushroom fungal spawn imported on logs or other substrate like straw or cereal grain, the manufacturer's certificate must state that the substrate:
- has been sterilised under pressure (100kPa) at a minimum temperature of 100°Celsius for at least 30 minutes
- has not been contaminated prior to or after inoculation.
7. For truffles and mushrooms, meet packaging and labelling requirements
Correct packaging and labelling will help ensure that your consignment is quickly identified and processed by border clearance when it arrives in New Zealand.
The packaging must be clean and free from soil, pests, and other contaminants.
If you are transporting your fungal species using growing media or packaging such as wood crates, there are extra requirements or restrictions to manage for potential pests and diseases. Refer to the relevant import process for details of the requirements.
Importing growing media and fertilisers of plant origin
All edible fungi must be:
- clearly labelled with the scientific name (genus and species)
- packed in clear, clean and new material.
If you are importing more than one edible truffle species at a time, each must be packaged separately.
Check New Zealand Customs Service requirements
Check with the New Zealand Customs Service whether:
- you can import the product without restriction
- the product will be subject to duties or tariffs
- a New Zealand Customs permit is needed.
Getting your import documents
How you know you have met MPI requirements.
Check that you or your customs broker have complied with the conditions listed in the Import Health Standard for all pre-shipment, transit, and on-arrival tasks.
Your edible fungi for growing will be cleared for entry into New Zealand when you have had your products and documents inspected and given clearance by an MPI inspector.
a) Submit all required documentation
You or your customs broker need to make sure that all the necessary documentation is submitted to NZ Customs or MPI before your consignment arrives in New Zealand.
Documentation may include:
- an import permit
- a manufacturer's certificate (for mushroom fungi)
- a phytosanitary certificate (for truffles)
- a morphological report (for truffles)
- a purchase invoice
- a bill of lading or air waybill.
b) Comply with on-arrival inspections
An MPI inspector will check your documentation and may inspect the consignment when it arrives in New Zealand, to make sure it complies with the IHS. The inspector checks that:
- the consignment is as described in the documentation
- correct labelling is used, if required
- the consignment and packaging are free of contaminants (detritus, soil, bacteria, disease, and pests).
An MPI Inspector may issue a Biosecurity Authority Clearance Certificate (BACC) requiring:
- documentation be corrected
- the consignment be treated
- the consignment be moved to a transitional facility, to be held for inspection.
If your consignment does not comply
If contamination (such as live organisms) is found on your consignment, an MPI inspector will explain your options. Depending on the type of pest or disease found, you may:
- treat your product (for example, by fumigation)
- identify the organism (and treat it if it is a regulated pest)
- ship the product to another destination country
- destroy the product.
All treatments have to be done by an approved treatment provider at a transitional facility. You are liable for any costs associated with non-compliance or contamination.
Search for an approved treatment provider [PDF, 227 KB]
Find an MPI-approved pest identification service [PDF, 418 KB]
If your consignment complies with all the rules an MPI inspector will issue clearance
Your edible fungi for growing will be cleared for entry into New Zealand when you have had your products and documents inspected and given clearance by an MPI inspector.
