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Food Importer Standards Guidance

Importer Listing

Why is listing needed?

Listing allows NZFSA to identify food importers and communicate with them directly when required.

What is listing?

All importers of food for sale are required to list with NZFSA.

Importers already registered with other NZFSA programmes, such as a Wine Standards Management Plan or Risk Management Programme are also required to list as an importer. There is no charge for listing as an importer.

NB. Importers must be resident in New Zealand.

The list of importers will not be made public. Information that makes up the list is official information and is subject to the Official Information Act 1982; consequently information may be released under this Act if it’s requested.

Who must list with NZFSA?

A person who imports food into New Zealand for the purposes of sale must –

a. be listed as an importer; and

b. be resident in New Zealand within the meaning of sections YD1 and YD2 of the Income Tax Act 2007

How can an importer list with NZFSA?

Importers can list in any of these ways:

• complete the application form that was sent to you by NZFSA, and return it by fax or post

• print out or download the application form and return it to NZFSA by fax, post or email

• apply online

Importer listing - application form IMP1

Importers must complete all fields marked with an * .

Importers must provide all the following information when applying for listing as an importer:

c. Full name - the full legal name of the applicant who has legal authority to act as the importer.

d. Registered legal name - this may be the name of a company, a partnership, an individual or multiple individuals:

• Company name - provide the name of the company as registered under the Companies Act 1993.

• Partnership - provide the full legal names of all individuals and / or companies within the partnership and the trading name used by the partnership.

• Individual - provide the full legal name of the individual and a trading name if applicable.

• The registered company, partnership or individual name will appear on the listing database and on any communication between NZFSA and the company or individual.

e. Trading name.

f. Physical address for service – a full street address, where the business is operating from.

g. Postal address for service - a postal address or addresses.

h. New Zealand Customs Service client code number - a client code is a unique number issued by Customs New Zealand that identifies the importer. Client codes are only issued to New Zealand entities (such as registered New Zealand companies).

i. Company registration number (if applicable).

j. Contact person’s name and contact details - contact details provided for the person who is responsible for the food imported. This ideally should include postal address (if different from above), email address, phone and fax number. Please provide the most efficient way for us to contact you with updates. By providing an email address you consent to being sent electronic email from NZFSA from time to time.

k. Other NZFSA approval or registration numbers, for example exporter registration, food safety programme registration (FSP), risk management programme (RMP), wine standards management plan (WSMP) or multiple release permit (MRP).

l. Indicate the major source(s) of the products that the importer imports. Importers may tick as many of the boxes as required. Providing this information will allow NZFSA to contact importers more effectively when there are particular issues, or information that may be of value to importers.

m. Applicants are required to confirm the details given on this form are correct.

When does listing need to be done?

Importers have until 16 April 2009 to list with NZFSA. After this date, all importers must be listed with NZFSA before importing food into New Zealand.

Removal of importer listing

An importer may, at any time, request to be removed from the database by giving notice via email, fax or letter to NZFSA.

A removal of listing takes effect on the date when the importer’s name is removed from the listing database, or a later date advised by the importer.

The consequence of being removed from the listing database is that the importer can no longer import food for sale.

Changes to information

Importers must contact NZFSA within 10 working days if any of their details change. Notification must be in writing and can be via email, fax, or letter.

Who to contact for listing enquiries:

Write and send by email, fax or letter to:

Advisor (Food Service, Sale and Import), Approvals & ACVM Group

New Zealand Food Safety Authority

South Tower, 68-86 Jervois Quay

PO Box 2835, Wellington 6011

Email: approvals.fssi@nzfsa.govt.nz

Or telephone

Ph: (04) 894 2500, fax: (04) 894 2566