FAQs related to Entering New Zealand
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.
A wide range of goods can be imported into New Zealand. Certain goods will have to meet specific import conditions before clearance.
To check if you can import a particular item you will need to refer to the relevant Import Health Standard.
A course will cost approximately $150 per person. This should be confirmed with individual training providers.
The approved operator must be able to retrieve, at the request of a MAFBNZ Inspector, records (for 2 years) covering:
- All imported sea containers brought into the facility, including all of the following information where relevant to the particular containers or goods received:
- date of arrival at the facility
- container number
- ship & voyage number
- product and quantity unpacked
- country of export
- date of container devanning
- confirmation that internal and external checks were conducted
- name of the accredited person(s) who undertook the above checks
- record of contaminants found and whether MAFBNZ was notified
- any remedial action taken
- Operational procedures to ensure the requirements of all relevant MAFBNZ standards are followed.
- A copy of the transitional facility approval certificate.
- A copy of the operator's approval certificate.
- A list of accredited persons available to conduct container checks.
- A copy of the current standard (Requirements of Transitional Facilities for Sea Containers Standard).
- A copy of the current Import Health Standard for Sea Containers From all Countries.
Charges apply for the initial and ongoing audit of facilities. The charge is made up of administrative, on-site inspection and travel expenses. All MAFBNZ charges, except travel, will be recovered on an hourly basis.
In general registration and approval will cost about $200-$300. Please note this will vary according to the proposed facility location, sites with additional requirements, and how long our Inspectors require to conduct the audit.
To receive sea containers to your premises you must apply for your premises to become a MAFBNZ approved Transitional Facility for sea containers.
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.
If you find something in or on a container (including cargo or wood packaging) immediately call 0800 80 99 66; be sure to note this on your log sheet.
You must complete and fax to MAFBNZ a Notice of Change to Destination Transitional Facility for Sea Containers 
(184 KB) form. For more information see Mandatory Declaration of the ATF Code and the ESCRIP Process 
(64 KB).
If the BACC Authority/Custom Delivery Order for your container is "To be opened by a Nominated Accredited Person" you may open your container. You will need to wait to submit your log sheet electronically or by fax until your number comes through.
If you have not received your number or certificate six weeks after sitting your course, please contact your Training Provider or MAFBNZ (Nicola Olson) on 07 927 5712.
No, containers should not be opened without confirmation the container has been cleared by MAFBNZ.
You should have received a Customs Delivery Order (CDO) and/or Biosecurity Authority Clearance Certificate (BACC) from your broker/agent. You will need to refer to the CDO under the "Delivery Instructions" that "MAF clearance has been given to move from wharf to ATF (approved transitional facility)". If any other MAF message appears in this section (e.g. "MAF HOLD"), then you will need to refer to the BACC for further instructions.