FAQs about Importing - Sea Containers and Goods

See sea containers for additional information.

There is an Import Health Standard (IHS) for importing sea containers. This standard describes the conditions that need to be met by sea containers imported into New Zealand.

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.

• Application for Approval of a Facility
• Application for Approval of a Facility Operator
• Consent to Disclosure of Information

Please not that your facility needs to meet the requirements contained in the MAF Standard for sea container transitional facilities

Charges apply for the initial and ongoing audit of facilities. The charge is made up of administrative, audit and travel expenses.

In general registration and approval will cost about $200. Please note that this will vary according to the location of the proposed facility and how long our Officers require to conduct the audit. All MAF charges except travel will be levied on an hourly basis

The minimum requirements for a transitional facility are:

• A hard sealed surface on which the container is placed during unloading
• Freedom from weeds and debris for three metres around the container
• A means of recording all details of containers inspected, contaminants found and actions taken (an operational plan)
• A supply of a knock-down aerosol insecticide that has some residual properties
• A broom, brush and shovel, and a bin that will be used to clean up and store any waste that may be associated with the container.
• An approved operator
• Accredited person/s to supervise the unpacking

For more information see the Transitional Facilities section of this site

Records must be kept for two years about:

• All imported sea containers brought into the facility
• Procedures to ensure standards are followed
• A copy of the transitional facility approval certificate
• A copy of the facility operator's approval certificate
• A list of accredited persons who can conduct container checks

For a person to become accredited to unload sea containers they must have undertaken and passed a MAF-approved basic biosecurity awareness and container checking course.

Information about MAF accredited training providers can be found in the sea container section.

List of accredited person training providers

A course will cost approximately $150 per person. This should be confirmed with individual training providers.

A wide range of goods can be imported into New Zealand. Certain types if item will have to meet specific import conditions if they are to be allowed clearance. These conditions might include (but are not limited to):

• Inspection on arrival
• Mandatory treatment on arrival
• Accompanied by certification
• Post-entry quarantine

To check if you can import a particular item you will need to refer to the relevant Import Health Standard.

All sea containers arriving in New Zealand must be accompanied by a Quarantine Declaration.

This must be filled in by the exporter before the container leaves the country of origin. If containers do not have a Quarantine Declaration they will be considered high risk and may be subject to delays and additional inspection and treatment costs.

Fumigation on arrival in New Zealand is not mandatory for all types of cargo. Containers do not need to be fumigated on arrival or before shipment. Some items will require fumigation on arriving in New Zealand. For further details view the Import Health Standard.

Different fumigants are used on different types of goods. Details of the fumigants that will be used on items are noted in the Import Health Standard.

You will be taught how to inspect a container when you undertake the accredited person course. It involves inspecting the exterior, interior, cargo and packaging of the container and looking for a variety of contaminants.

On the outside of the container you would be looking for:

• Signs of insects ie, webs, egg masses, snail shells
• Soil
• Plant material

On the inside of the container you would be looking for:

• Insects and egg masses

If you find something live in or on a container call 0800 80 99 66 and isolate and contain the risk.

Yes, you can arrange for a facility to unload the container for you. List of facilities

If a container is identified as high risk MAF requires you or your agent to contact us immediately.

MAF will then undertake the inspection (generally an external inspection if it is being done on the wharf) as quickly as possible. Internal inspections of high risk containers also need to be arranged. Your agent will arrange these.

While MAF will conduct inspections as soon as possible there are occasions when, because of other workloads, it might take us a few days to get to your container.

A levy of $16 per loaded container and $7 per empty container applies to all containers cover the monitoring and verification of shipping containers.

If a container is considered high risk or is non-compliant any additional work undertaken by MAF will be charged for. MAF inspections on and off wharf are charged at a rate of $100.00 per hour (1/4 hour minimum) and we also charge for travel to the inspection site.