New Zealand Enforces Dairy and Meat Import Controls

New Zealand has strengthened import requirements for milk powder, cheese, meat, butter, and dairy products through updated food import regulations.

NEW ZEALAND – DAIRY AND MEAT IMPORTS

New Zealand Requires Importer Registration for Dairy and Meat

Importers must register and document all shipments of milk powder, cheese, meat, and butter.

What changed

Registration mandatory for all importers handling milk powder, cheese, and meat.

Expanded coverage now includes butter and additional dairy products under HS codes.

Full documentation required for products under HS codes 040229, 040221, 040690, and 040510.

Traceability enforced for all milk powder, cheese, meat, and butter imports.

Who it affects

Food importers must register with New Zealand authorities before handling milk powder, cheese, or meat.

Butter and dairy product importers now fall under the same compliance requirements.

Customs brokers must ensure HS code documentation matches the new requirements.

What to do

Verify HS codes for milk powder, cheese, meat, and butter shipments.

Prepare full documentation and traceability records for each consignment.

New Zealand — dairy and meat import registration and compliance requirements

Compliance Answer: Strengthened Import Requirements for Dairy and Meat Products in New Zealand

New Zealand has updated its import requirements for milk powder, cheese, meat, butter, and other dairy products under the Food Notice: Requirements for Registered Food Importers and Imported Food for Sale and its amendments. These regulations impose strict conditions on the importation of bovine meat, dairy products, and other high-risk foods, including country-specific restrictions, certification requirements, and clearance procedures.

1. Key Import Requirements for Dairy and Meat Products

A. Dairy Products (Milk Powder, Cheese, Butter, etc.)

The Food Notice categorizes dairy products as High Regulatory Interest (HRI) food, subject to mandatory clearance requirements¹. Key conditions include:

Permitted Countries of Export:
- Raw milk products: Only from the European Union, United Kingdom, or Switzerland¹.
- Fresh cheese, curd cheese, and soft cheese (pasteurised): Only from the European Union, United Kingdom, or Norway¹.
- All other countries: Must undergo consignment testing for Listeria monocytogenes (n = 5, c = 0, m = not detected in 25 g)¹.

Clearance Requirements:
- Option 1: Provide an official certificate from the exporting country’s Competent Authority¹.
- Option 2: Conduct consignment testing (if no official certificate is available)¹.

Documentation:
- All clearance documents must be in English or include a clear, legible English translation¹.

B. Bovine Meat and Meat Products

Bovine meat and products (including food containing such products) are subject to country-specific restrictions and certification requirements^{1, 2}. Key conditions include:

Permitted Exporting Countries:
- Australia (no additional conditions)¹.
- European Union, United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Brazil, Japan, Mexico, Thailand, Fiji, Vanuatu (with specific conditions, e.g., origin of cattle, processing standards)^{1, 2}.
- Chinese Taipei (added in November 2021): Only canned bovine meat products originating from Australia, Canada, Netherlands, Sweden, Japan, New Zealand, or the United States, accompanied by an official certificate².

Import Conditions by Country (Selected Examples):

Exporting Country	Permitted Products	Import Conditions	Clearance Requirement
Australia	Any bovine meat/product	None	Manufacturer’s declaration or commercial invoice¹
European Union	Any bovine meat/product	Must comply with EU standards recognized as equivalent to NZ standards¹	Official certificate¹
United States	Any bovine meat/product	Cattle must be born/raised/slaughtered in the US, Canada, or another permitted country; processed in federally inspected establishments¹	Official certificate¹
Chinese Taipei	Canned bovine meat products only	Must originate from Australia, Canada, Netherlands, Sweden, Japan, NZ, or US²	Official certificate²
Fiji	Canned bovine meat products only	Must originate from NZ or Australia; manufactured under MPI-agreed procedures¹	Official certificate¹

Exemptions:
- Products containing <5% bovine meat (e.g., flavourings, bakery products with tallow) are exempt from Part 6 requirements¹.

Clearance Documents:
- Official certificates (from the exporting country’s Competent Authority)^{1, 2}.
- Manufacturer’s declarations (for products from Australia)¹.
- Documented evidence (e.g., commercial invoices) confirming compliance with import conditions¹.

2. Compliance Obligations for Importers

All importers must:

Register as a food importer under the Food Act 2014¹.
Assess and confirm the safety and suitability of imported food, considering:
- Composition, processing conditions, packaging, labelling, and shelf-life¹.
- Compliance with the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code and NZ domestic food standards¹.
Ensure proper transport and storage (e.g., temperature control, hygiene)¹.
Retain records for traceability and verification¹.
Comply with biosecurity and customs requirements under the Biosecurity Act 1993 and Customs and Excise Act 2018¹.

Penalties for Non-Compliance:

Consignments may be denied entry, re-shipped, or destroyed at the importer’s cost¹.
Importer registration may be suspended¹.
Offences under section 233 of the Food Act 2014 may apply¹.

3. Recent Amendments (November 2021)

Chinese Taipei was added to the list of permitted countries for canned bovine meat products, subject to strict origin and certification requirements².
The amendment was notified to the WTO SPS Committee but did not require a formal consultation period due to its minor, trade-beneficial nature².

Summary Answer

New Zealand’s import requirements for dairy products (milk powder, cheese, butter) and bovine meat/products are governed by the Food Notice: Requirements for Registered Food Importers and Imported Food for Sale¹. Dairy imports are restricted to specific countries (e.g., EU, UK, Switzerland) and require official certificates or consignment testing¹. Bovine meat imports are permitted only from approved countries (e.g., Australia, EU, US, Chinese Taipei) with country-specific conditions (e.g., origin of cattle, processing standards) and official certification^{1, 2}. Importers must register under the Food Act 2014, conduct safety assessments, and ensure proper documentation¹. Failure to comply may result in consignment rejection, destruction, or legal penalties¹. The November 2021 amendment expanded the list of permitted countries to include Chinese Taipei for canned bovine meat products².

Sources

↩ Food Notice: Requirements for Registered Food Importers and Imported Food for Sale https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2022/SPS/NZL/22_4206_00_e.pdf
↩ Amendment to the Food Notice: Importing Food – November 2021 https://members.wto.org/crnattachments/2021/SPS/NZL/21_7630_00_e.pdf