To import fungi to grow you need to know about:

• the fungi species you're importing and if it's approved for import
• the import health standard (IHS) for your type of fungi
• complying with the IHS requirements
• getting a phytosanitary certificate for truffles
• arranging fungi identification testing, if needed
• New Zealand Customs Service tariffs and permits
• using a customs broker
• relevant fees and charges.

More details are in Step 2 – What you need to do.

Check that your fungi species can be imported

Only certain species of edible fungi can be imported.

Truffle species approved for import

Approved truffle species are listed in part 2.1 of the import health standard (IHS). They are:

• Tuber aestivum Vittad (Burgundy/Summer truffle)
• Tuber borchii (bianchetto)
• Tuber magnatum (Italian white truffle)
• Tuber melanosporum (Périgord black truffle).

Note, powdered truffle inocula are not covered by this IHS. There is no IHS for these products.

Check Part 2.1 of the IHS for truffles [PDF, 545 KB]

Fungi and mushroom spawn species approved for import

Not all fungi and mushroom spawn species can be imported. Check the list of scientific names to find out if your species is approved.

Check other agencies' import restrictions

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 NZ Customs permit is needed.

Visit the NZ Customs website to:

• learn more about the import entry process

Consider using a customs broker

A customs broker will help you get import entry clearance. Some services provided by the New Zealand Customs Service can only be accessed by registered customs brokers.

Many freight and transport companies employ their own brokers but if you need help finding one, contact the Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Federation.

Visit the Customs Brokers and Freight Forwarders Federation website

Comply with IHS requirements for your species

Requirements for fungi imports include:

• an import permit
• a phytosanitary certificate (for truffles)
• a manufacturer's certificate for mushroom spawn or cultures
• a species identification test for truffles and for Pleurotus sp.

Book space for identification testing, if required

Tuber sp. and Pleurotus sp. must be tested at MPI's Plant Health and Environment Laboratory in Auckland on arrival to confirm they are approved for import.

To book identification testing, email the mycology and bacteriology team:

• specimen.receptiontamaki@mpi.govt.nz

We recommend you contact the laboratory before applying for an import permit.

• Learn more about MPI's Plant Health and Environment Laboratory

Apply for an import permit

An import permit is required for all truffles and mushroom spawn.

An importer questionnaire has to be completed for new import permits for mushroom spawn. 

The application form for mushroom spawn also covers biological products, microorganisms and cell cultures.

• Application for Permit to Import for plant derived material, microorganisms associated with plants, soil or water [DOCX, 104 KB]
• Questionnaire to accompany an application to import mushroom spawn [DOCX, 197 KB]

Meet phytosanitary requirements, if required

All truffles (Tuber sp.) need 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'll find contact details on the International Plants Protection Convention (IPPC) website.

Find an NPPO on the IPPC website

If you have questions about phytosanitary certificates, contact the export agent or your NPPO contact.

Get a manufacturer's certificate

If you're importing mushroom spawn or cultures, request a certificate from the supplier or manufacturer that verifies the purity of the spawn or culture.

For fungi spawn imported on logs or other substrate like straw or cereal grain, the manufacturer's certificate must state that the substrate:

• has been autoclaved under pressure at a minimum temperature of 100 degrees Celsius for at least 30 minutes
• has not been contaminated prior to or after inoculation.

Check 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're transporting your fungi using growing media or packaging such as wood crates, there are extra requirements or restrictions to ensure there are no hidden pests or diseases. Refer to the import requirements for:

• wood packaging
• growing media and fertilisers of plant origin

Meet extra requirements for truffles

All truffles must be:

• clearly labelled with the scientific name (genus and species)
• packed in clear, clean and new material.

If you're importing more than one truffle species at a time, each must be packaged separately.

Arrange transitional storage, if required

MPI approves transitional facilities to hold and manage imported goods that might pose a biosecurity risk. These goods may need to be inspected or treated at the transitional facility before they can be cleared by MPI.

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

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:

• a manufacturer's certificate
• a phytosanitary certificate
• an import permit
• a purchase invoice
• a bill of lading or air waybill.

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).

The MPI quarantine 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's 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, 557 KB]
• Find an MPI-approved pest identification service [PDF, 546 KB]
• Search for a pest name in the Biosecurity Organisms Register for Imported Commodities (BORIC)

An MPI inspector will issue clearance

Check that you or your customs broker have complied with the conditions listed in the IHS for all pre-shipment, transit, and on-arrival tasks.

Your 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.

If your goods do not comply with the IHS, they won't be cleared until you have complied, or have been given permission to make an 'equivalence import'.

Find out about equivalence importing