FAQs related to Sending goods to New Zealand
You should insert "MCD" (standing for MAF container declaration) in the code section of an Other Information field. If you hold a Quarantine Declaration, enter a 5-character string of "Y" and "N" values representing the answers to the 5 yes/no questions of the Quarantine Declaration, in the order shown below (they must be entered in the following order, regardless of the order in which they are shown on your quarantine declaration).
- Container cleanliness (the answer to the container cleanliness question, Y or N, must be the first character in the string).
- Packaging materials (the answer to the packaging materials question, Y or N, must be the second character in the string).
- Wood packaging (the answer to whether wood packaging is present in the container, Y or N, must be the third character in the string).
- Wood treated (the answer to whether the wood packaging in the container has been treated, Y or N, must be the fourth character in the string).
- Treatment certificate available (the answer to whether a treatment certificate for the wood packaging is available, Y or N, must be the fifth character in the string).
The question on type of wood treatment used is not included. Not all possible "Y/N" combinations are valid: if the answer to wood present is entered as "No", the answers to the wood treated and treatment certificate questions must also be "No", or the entry will be rejected. If the wood treated question is answered as "No", the answer to the treatment certificate question must also be "No", or the entry will be rejected.
If you do not have a Quarantine Declaration, or if the Quarantine Declaration is non-compliant, enter MCD in the code section of the field, but leave the data section of the field blank. If your supplier has entered invalid data (for instance, answered that no wood is present and wood has been treated, or that wood has not been treated and a treatment certificate is available), enter MCD in the code section of the field and leave the data section blank.
Australian packing declarations are not accepted in lieu of New Zealand Quarantine Declarations. You should follow the steps in Question 4 (import entry) or 5 (ECI report) for non-compliant Quarantine Declarations.
If the Quarantine Declaration is not compliant (see Question 1), or if a question of the Quarantine Declaration has been answered "don’t know" or left blank, you should follow the steps in Question 4 (import entry) or 5 (ECI report) for non-compliant Quarantine Declarations.
MAF offices are open during standard working hours (8 am - 5 pm, Monday - Friday, excluding public holidays) for BACC processing.
If you are an Accredited Person and have not completed a container log sheet, you should do so.
Alternatively, if you can not access the website, you may fax a manual log sheet to MAF at 09 300 3205.
If you have received a message from Customs saying "MAF CLEARANCE GIVEN TO MOVE FROM WHARF TO AN ATF", you do not require a BACC to remove your container from the wharf. See question 6 for more details.
If you have received a different message from Customs and have not yet sent MAF an Application for a BACC, you should complete this application, including relevant documentation, and submit it to your local MAF office. You can fax the application and documentation to the office, or bring it to MAF in person during weekday office hours.
If you have sent MAF an Application for a BACC, you should either receive a BACC by email from MAF within 8 working hours, or a phone call from MAF requesting more information. If you have not heard from MAF within 8 working hours after submitting your application, please phone the MAF office to which you faxed your application.