7. Importation Requirements

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General Foods
New Zealand

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

7.1 Shipment Declaration

In New Zealand, the Food Act 2014 [1] requires the import of all food for sale to be via a Registered Food Importer. If a local company is importing food products, it must register as an importer with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) or use a registered importer to handle its product entries.

Food products 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 food products and medicines using relevant Import Health Standards (IHS).

The MPI has a guidance document that outlines the food importation process and includes a flow chart outlining the following steps in the import process:

Complete an Import Entry
Obtain Customs Clearance
Obtain Biosecurity Clearance
(if required*) Notify Food Safety Clearance

*Foods that are classified as High Regulatory Interest (HRI) or Increased Regulatory Interest (IRI) are monitored for specific hazards. Schedules 1 and 2 in the Food Notice "Importing Food" [7] list which foods require food safety clearance and what is needed for this clearance. All other foods not listed are considered of Low Regulatory Interest.

Note that a food safety clearance will include a documentation check and may also include inspection, sampling, and testing at the importer's cost.

Declaring the intended use of foods [8]

Besides registering as a food importer with MPI or using an MPI-registered food importer, it is also important to ensure correct declaration on the intended use of the food being imported.

All declarations for food consignments imported under tariffs in Chapters 2 to 22 of the Working Tariff document [9] must include a 2-letter intended use code. Examples of the codes are:

HC - Sale for human consumption
FP - Further processing for human consumption
OT - Other, not for human consumption

7.2 Customs Procedure

The New Zealand Customs Service [3] is able to advise on the requirements (e.g., taxes, paperwork) for commercial importation into New Zealand. All imported goods must be cleared through Customs. Before importing the goods, companies must:

Submit an electronic import entry or electronic cargo entry (ECI) lodgement
Pay applicable Customs duties and Goods and Services Tax (GST)
Pay other applicable charges and levies
Submit appropriate documentation if the goods are restricted

Companies importing goods worth more than NZ$1,000, will need a client code, and a supplier code and will also need to register for the Trade Single Window (TSW). The latter is not necessary if the company is using a customs broker. All goods imported into New Zealand must be classified within the Tariff of New Zealand [4] managed by New Zealand Customs. It is strongly recommended that a local Customs Broker be used for imports.

7.3 Manufacturing License

7.4 Test for Importation

7.5 Other Notes or Requirements for Importation

Becoming a Registered Food Importer:

Information on how to register with the Ministry for Primary Industries is available on their website [4]. This includes applying for a Customs Client Code if the company is not going to use the services of an Agent with such registration. There is a fee of NZ $116.44 (+ 15% GST).

The MPI has produced a guidance, outlining the requirements for Registered Food Importers [5]. There is also a public database of registered importers, should a company wish to locate a suitable agent [6].

The registration must be renewed annually.