7. Importation Requirements

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Dietary Supplements
New Zealand

This section provides information on the importation process (shipment, customs, licenses required, and test requirements).

7.1 Shipment Declaration

Dietary supplements fall under the Food Act 2014 [1] which requires the import of all food for sale to be via a Registered Food Importer. If a local company is importing dietary supplements, it must register as an importer with the Ministry for Primary Industries. Dietary supplements containing ingredients from animals and animal products are also subject to legislation set forth by the Biosecurity Act 1993 [2] which protects New Zealand’s environment, plants, and animals from unwanted pests and diseases. Under [2], the MPI enforces the requirements for Dietary Supplements and Medicines using relevant Import Health Standards (see section 7.3 below).

7.2 Customs Procedure

Dietary Supplements should comply with Section 7.2 of the “General Foods” guidebook for New Zealand.

Additionally, the following applies: dietary supplements containing ingredients from animals and animal products must meet requirements set out in the Import Health Standards (IHS) relevant to the materials. If the conditions are not met, an Import Permit may be required. These can be obtained from the link given on the IHS documents or an MPI form [5].

Notes: An import health standard (IHS) is a document issued under section 24A of the Biosecurity Act 1993 [2]. An IHS states the requirements that must be met before risk goods can be imported into New Zealand. The Ministry for Primary Industries has Import Health Standards (IHS) relevant to dietary supplements and medical preparations. The requirements of relevant IHS must be met before shipments are issued with a biosecurity clearance. These requirements are in addition to those for Registered Food Importers and any other requirements under the Food Act [1]. Some examples of IHS are:

Processed bee products [6] (Refer to Section 7.4 – dietary supplements and medical preparations containing honey and bee products). In some cases, an Import Permit may be required.
Specified Animal Products [7] (Refer to Section 3.10)

7.3 Manufacturing License

Imported dietary supplements do not have to be manufactured under a New Zealand National Programme / Food Control Plan (Clause 24 (1) of the Food Act). Importers need to adhere to Clause 110 (1) (b) of the Act where (they must) import only food that meets all applicable requirements of this Act [1]. In real terms, this means the manufacture of the food must be under a suitable quality system. In practice, many Complementary Medicines, manufactured in Australia under GMP, are imported into New Zealand as dietary supplements. The goods need to be imported by a Registered Importer and are cleared for import by a Food Safety Officer.

7.4 Test for Importation

The analytical tests and release limits are usually set in line with the information in the Dietary Supplements Regulations [8]. In some cases, the import documentation package may require a certificate of analysis. Any other special testing would be defined in the import requirements under the relevant IHS. There are also occasions where additional tests or treatments are applied, usually in response to a biosecurity risk.

7.5 Other Notes or Requirements for Importation

There are no requirements for importation specific to “Dietary supplements”. It should comply with section 7.5 of the “General Foods” guidebook for New Zealand.