Other Imports

All products being brought into New Zealand which could potentially contain unwanted pests or organisms are subject to an Import Health Standard.

Also see the following sections:  

• Border and Transportation Requirements
• Personal Travel
• Non-Biological Items
• Miscellaneous

Generally, risk goods which could affect New Zealand biosecurity are of either animal or plant origin. However, there are several other risk goods which also have implications for both plant and animal health. These other risk goods are covered by the Biosecurity Standards Group.

To meet Import Health Standard requirements, various certificates may be required before a product may be imported. These include either a Phytosanitary certificate, Zoosanitary certificate, or a CITES certificate.

If you are importing cargo or containers you need to declare restricted goods. Some goods are not allowed into New Zealand because do not meet New Zealand import health standards.

Failing to declare restricted goods could result in the owner of the goods being fined up to $100,000 or a company being fined up to $200,000. There are a number of ways you can avoid being fined and having goods destroyed or sent back. Declare all food, plant and animal products and make sure you have the certification required by the standards.

When preparing cargo for shipping to New Zealand, pack mixed consignments carefully to reduce risk of contamination, check freight containers and packaging for spiders, insects or animals, and make sure that packages are addressed clearly and include a New Zealand contact telephone number.

On reaching New Zealand, goods will be released once they have been checked and cleared by MAFBNZ Clearance officers. Goods that don't comply with New Zealand laws will be destroyed or sent back to the country of origin at the owner’s expense. When certificates are missing, incorrect or incomplete, the goods may be destroyed or sent back to the country they came from. Goods that contain pests or diseases may be fumigated or destroyed.

Non-Biological Items

All goods imported into New Zealand with the potential to introduce pests, diseases or unwanted organisms must be subject to an Import Health Standard.  Generally, goods which could affect New Zealand biosecurity are of either animal or plant origin, however there are several risk goods which have implications for both plant and animal health.

Containers

• Air Containers
• Sea Containers

Vehicles and Machinery

All used vehicles entering New Zealand have to be inspected and cleaned (if necessary) before release by the MAFBNZ Clearance Service. The place of inspection will depend on the method of arrival. There is also a specific Import Health Standard for used vehicles:

• Cars, Vans and Utility Vehicles
• Used Vehicles(Treated)
• Agricultural and Forestry Machinery
• Used Tyres

All used vehicles and equipment that are not imported as containerised (Six-sided) cargo will be inspected at the place of arrival.  In the case of containerized vehicles the importation may be undertaken at an approved transitional facility.

All used vehicles and equipment will be examined for the presence of quarantine materials.  This includes the inspection of all internal and external surfaces and spaces to determine the presence of soil, plant material, insects or other contaminants.  Should contaminants be found the vehicle will require cleaning at a MAF approved decontamination facility. 

In the case of vehicles that will be registered to be used on the road, a further inspection is carried out on behalf of the Land Transport New Zealand (LTNZ).  This inspection is to record the odometer reading, confirm the identity number against documentation provided by the importer, and to identify any structural damage present that may preclude the vehicle as being deemed roadworthy.

Vehicle Clearance information on line

Access up-to-date vehicle status, inspection, processing and clearance information thru the MAFBNZ Vehicle Tracking Website

• Importers can track and trace the biosecurity inspection status of their vehicles by entering their VIN or Bill of Lading number to the web site
• Port companies can download biosecurity inspection processing data via the web service and XML queries to manage holds in their systems
• Review import vehicle data nationally and internationally

List of vehicles Rejected Off-shore. (290 Kb)

This list is updated regularly but is not definitive because reproting/linking time constraints could result in vehicles being shipped before this list is updated.  MAF accepts no liability for information supplied on or omitted from this list.

Imported Vehicles and Machinery Review

Biosecurity New Zealand is currently reviewing its Import Health Standards in relation to the importation of vehicles into New Zealand. Please refer to the following documents in relation to this review:

• Letter to Stakeholders from the Director of Pre clearance of 12 June 2007 (111 Kb)
• Cost Benefit Analysis prepared by NZIER on 6 June 2007 (451 Kb)

Miscellaneous

• Bulk fertiliser
• Soil, sand, clay and water
• Ballast water from all countries - for additional information about ballast water see Guide to New Zealand Ballast Water Control

If the Import Health Standard you are seeking is not here, you can request the development of a standard for a particular country/commodity by using the following form: Non-Biological Items (71 Kb)

A description of the new funding and management system is here.