Food, Plants and Agricultural Produce Requirements

Agricultural produce is the backbone of New Zealand’s export earnings so protection from the inadvertent introduction of foreign pests is absolutely vital to the future prosperity of the nation. There are severe penalties for non-compliance with Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) restrictions or failure to follow Quarantine clearance requirements and you are advised to contact MAF prior to your departure for New Zealand should you have any concerns or queries.

•MAF/Customs declaration
Every person must complete a personal declaration that requires notification of quarantine risk items

•Masters Certificate
The Biosecurity Act 1993 requires that the Master complete this declaration of all meat onboard the vessel – including canned, frozen, dehydrated, vacuum packed and freeze-dried.

• Fresh Provisions
Vegetables and fruit may not be landed. If utilised on board this will incur costs of daily quarantine incineration of all the waste.

• Honey - must not be landed unless accompanied by appropriate documentation
• Eggs / egg cartons - must not be landed
• Stored cartons - will be inspected and assessed for potential risk
• Growing Plants - may not be landed or retained on board
• Cycles, Motor Bikes, & Sporting Equipment - must be cleaned to the satisfaction of a Quarantine Officer before landing
• Unaccompanied items (baggage, stores or items intended for persons other than those onboard) – must be declared by the Master
• Animals - stringent requirements are necessary to keep New Zealand free of exotic diseases. Animals for which a quarantine clearance is sought must fulfill requirements that will be forwarded by MAF upon request. As these requirements are subject to change you should contact the MAF Quarantine Service prior to your departure for New Zealand.
• CITES - Quarantine Officers have responsibilities under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species to ensure that there are no restricted items amongst goods to be landed. Such items include: ivory, turtle shells, coral, whalebone, clamshells and animal skins.
• Pesticides - The Quarantine Officer is required to inspect the vessel for the presence of pesticides, which must be registered in New Zealand.