FAQs related to Car Ship Application Coversheet
If a container is identified as high risk MAFBNZ requires your agent to contact us immediately.
MAFBNZ will then undertake the inspection (generally an external inspection if it is being done on the wharf) as quickly as possible. In certain circumstances, the external inspections may be carried out at your transitional facility under MAFBNZ supervision. Internal inspections of high risk containers also need to be arranged by your agent. Instructions are outlined on the Biosecurity Authority Clearance Certificate, a copy should be forwarded to you by the agent.
While MAFBNZ 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.
Yes, you can arrange for another facility to unload the container for you. Alternatively, if your facility is approved but there is currently no Accredited Person on site, you may use another already registered Accredited Person who may work at another location.
Data from the BACC Application form and electronic / scanned copies of supporting documentation will be sent electronically via ECN to MAFBNZ.
If a container is considered high risk or is non-compliant any additional work undertaken by MAFBNZ will be charged for. MAFBNZ 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.
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.
The approved operator must be able to retrieve, at the request of a MAFBNZ Inspector, records (for 7 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.
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 
(81 KB) form. For more information see Mandatory Declaration of the ATF Code and the ESCRIP Process 
(42 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.
Unless MAFBNZ has stated otherwise, once the Accredited Person has completed their container check, without finding any contamination that would need to be immediately reported, then you may let your container go.
Once you have software capable of sending eBACCa entries to MAF, you can register to receive MAF eBACCa system alerts from http://www.biosecurity.m1.co.nz/webforms/join/ 
Yes - The Inbound Messaging system will identify each Electronic BACC Application with a unique number, so that any associated documentation can be identified using that same number.
Yes - You can specify the MAFBNZ worksite that you wish the Electronic BACC Application (eBACCa) to be addressed to. However, the Inbound Messaging queue also allows MAFBNZ staff to view all eBACCas on a national basis where required.
Note - The system provides MAF with flexibility on resourcing and allows MAFBNZ staff to improve turn around time and consistently meet service delivery targets.
Yes - Where the current process uses the BACC Application coversheet method to allow the containers to be moved.
- Yes - Where FCL or LCL containers containing personal effects use the BACC Application coversheet method of moving the goods to a Transitional Facility.
- Yes - For the clearance of the personal effects using the Unaccompanied Personal Baggage Declaration, the declaration will still be the required process.
No - These use a different coversheet and application process.
Imported cargo. In practice the system covers freight clearances that were previously faxed to MAF using the Fax BACC Application coversheet.
Depending on the way your software is configured, you can receive a BACC response message via ECN, or it can be directly from MAF to the e-mail address that you specify in your eBACCa application. BACCs are now issued as both XML and DPF documents.
The fax processes will continue to be used to process faxed BACC applications, albeit they will be scaled down as the fax traffic decreases, and eBACCa will receive priority.
It will, but is being phased out.
Should further information be required to enable the Risk Screener to issue a BACC, an electronic response will come back to you seeking further information to enable the process to continue.
This will be dependent upon what your software (and/or software vendor) supports. The BACC can be delivered to your system via the existing MAF email process. Alternatively ECN are providing a system that can deliver this to your system.
Once the Risk Screener takes the Electronic BACC Application from the Inbound Messaging queue and processes it, you will receive a consignment reference number and then (assuming they have all the required information) the issued BACC. The Application will now have a unique number within QuanCargo. The BACC will continue to be issued using the current methods of fax or e-mail. Additionally ECN and MAF are working on providing an alternative via ECN.
You will receive an electronic message to say that it has been received by MAF containing a receipt number (for reference). Inbound Messaging provides MAF with a queue system that lists all unprocessed Electronic BACC Applications and monitors the turnaround time
Not at this time - It is expected that the Border Sector Single Window initiative will provide this functionality in the future.
ECN also provides a 'link' between industry and the New Zealand Customs Service. They have the experience, relationships and support systems to provide a centralised server and manage the required changes to industry applications, through an agreement with MAF.