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Bringing things into NZ

Sea Containers and Cargo

This section is intended to help agents and others who require information about goods clearance, transitional facilities and other cargo-related topics. It contains information on the following subjects:

There is an Import Health Standard covering the importation of sea containers arriving from any country. There is also a guide(pdf) (489 Kb) to this standard available.

The new draft standard for General Facilities for Holding, Inspection, Processing or Treatment of Uncleared Goods is available for public consultation until 16 May 2008. This new standard will affect transitional facilities for sea containers and uncleared risk goods.

MAFBNZ Clearance Services Facilities

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General Requirements

  • Every container must have a Quarantine Declaration(pdf) (20 Kb). The Biosecurity Authority/Clearance Certificate BACC) application cover sheet must be signed and faxed.
  • Every facility that unpacks imported containers must be MAF approved.
  • There must be a trained MAF accredited person to unpack the container to check for contamination.

Accredited Person Sea Container Inspection :

To follow is information about importing containers but we recommend that importers approach a customs broker or freight forwarder to assist in the importation. MAFBNZ Clearance Service is available to give advice but will not be able to conduct the importation process for you.

Annual Sea Container Quarantine Declarations: Process and model declaration(pdf) (38 Kb)

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Getting your container to a transitional facility

A Biosecurity direction must be given before the container can be taken to a transitional facility. This will be obtained by a customs broker or freight forwarded or may be obtained by an importer.

The importer should submit an application for a MAF Biosecurity Authority Clearance Certificate(pdf) (67 Kb) (BACC) to their nearest MAFBNZ Clearance Service office. Note, you cannot obtain a BACC online, only apply for one. The certificate itself is generated by the MAFBNZ Clearance Service if the information submitted is accepted.

The person accredited to inspect the container must also fill out the container log(pdf) (379 Kb) sheet for MAF clearance or they may submit their inspection results.

MAF Approved Transitional Facility and Accredited Person Site(offsite link to containerchecks.maf.govt.nz)

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Sea Container Auditing

(Fax audit documentation to 09 909 8584)

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Fees

There are costs associated with importing containers.

You will be charged for:

  • The approval of your facility
  • Any MAF actions relating to non-conforming container eg a container without a Quarantine Declaration.
  • Additional fees will be charged for the clearance of containers carrying risks goods
  • A standard levy also applies to every container imported into the country
  • You can also see details on the fees and charges(pdf) (160 Kb) involved, including an application for credit(pdf) (31 Kb). There is also information about inspection fees in the Factsheet(pdf) (123 Kb) and FAQ's.

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Transitional Facilities

Additional information is available in the Transitional Facilities section

New Training Requirements for Operators

The requirements for operators of transitional facilities will soon be changing. MAF will soon require all Operators of Transitional Facilities for unleared risk goods to undertake a half-day biosecurity training course in order to be an approved Operator. Click here for further information.

The following forms are required when applying for Transitional or Containment facility and Operator approval. These forms can be used for approvals under all MAFBNZ Facility Standards, and once completed, should be sent to a MAF Biosecurity Officer at an address on the form. For Inquiries phone the Facility Approval Group on 09 909 3030.

You can register here as an accredited person which allows you to inspect at an accredited transitional facility.

All sea freight containers imported into New Zealand must be taken to an approved transitional facility, which must have an approved operator.

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Reporting Container Inspections

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Electronic Container Clearance

An electronic system has been developed so container Quarantine Declarations (QDs) can be submitted electronically via Customs' import entries and ECI reports. The system provides electronic messages to port companies about the MAF status of each container.

The guide to the New Zealand Container Declaration is available in (PDF) the following languages. Please note that these forms are displayed for information purposes only and the English version must be presented prior any container entering New Zealand.

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Publications and Newsletters

Inbound Messaging Project Newsletters

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Contact Us

Sea Containers Team

MAFBNZ Clearance Services
PO Box 5152
Mt Maunganui

Phone: +64 7 927 5712
Fax: +64 7 927 5701

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