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What you need to do

  1. Check the requirements for your destination country.
  2. Let the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) know that you plan to take a trophy or hide out of New Zealand.
  3. Complete a declaration for hunting trophies to request an export certificate.

Check the import requirements

Import requirements vary between countries. Before you export your trophy or hide from New Zealand, you’ll need to contact a quarantine office in your own country to find out what they need.

They can tell you:

  • the import requirements for a trophy or hide from New Zealand
  • what documentation they will require from New Zealand.

You may need to apply for an import permit or other documentation from your local quarantine office.

In most cases, all you will need is an export certificate that says the trophy or hide is from New Zealand. MPI can provide this certificate.

Processing requirements

Some countries – for example, those in the EU – will only let you import a trophy or hide that has been processed in an EU approved export approved premises. Other countries have specific processing requirements that must be certified. You need to arrange this processing in advance.

Export approved premises

If your trophy or hide needs to be processed in an export approved premises, ask them to organise the export certificate – you do not need to complete the on-line declaration.

CITES permits

Some countries require a Convention for International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) permit.

A CITES permit allows you to move a trophy or hide that is from a CITES protected species across international borders. 

In New Zealand, CITES permits are issued by the Department of Conservation (DOC).

CITES permits  

Contact MPI before your hunting trip

To avoid delays processing your certificate, we recommend you telling us your plans before you arrive in New Zealand. Email certs.chch@mpi.govt.nz

Your email should include:

  • what you want to take home
  • your arrival and departure dates
  • the airport you’re flying out of
  • the country you are going back to.

Complete a declaration

When you return from your hunt, complete and submit an online declaration for game trophies. MPI will then be able to issue you with an export certificate. This will usually take 1 to 2 working days.

Declaration form for game trophies

If you leave soon after your hunt

If you will be leaving New Zealand soon after you finish hunting, you can submit your application form in advance.

When you return from your hunt, confirm by phone what trophies you are taking. The certificate can then be prepared for you to pick up immediately.

Picking up your export certificate

The export certificate will usually need to be picked up from the MPI office located near the Auckland or Christchurch airport. It may be possible to pick up the certificate at the airport, but advance notice of at least 3 days is required to arrange this.

The fee for administration and issue of the export certificate is NZ$50.00. Payment instructions are included in the online declaration form.

Who to contact

If you have questions:

MPI business units